#1: In The Wee Small Hours Frank Sinatra, (1955) Listened to it before? yes Will listen again? yes Favourite track: Can’t We Be Friends?
I’m not a Sinatra fan, but since this album is on page 1 of the 1001 book it’s one I’ve started with before. I like it enough to regularly put it on in the background. It’s not something I actively engage with but it’s good mood music. I lean away from the more bombastic tracks on the album, preferring the more introspective pieces like ‘I’ll be around’.
	#2: Elvis Presley Elvis Presley, (1956) Listened to it before? yes Will listen again? yes Favourite track: I'm Counting on You
We're already in the regime of albums it feels slightly perverse to comment on, like doing a book review of the Gospel According to John. A mere 28 minutes here to change the world. It's not really an album in the modern sense as it's clearly been compiled from multiple sources. Iconic cover though. If I had to choose one 'early Elvis' album it would be the Sun Sessions, but I'll still never tire of listing to this. I've always been a fan of Elvis's spiritual recordings so the lo-fi gospel of 'I'm Counting On You' is a personal favourite.
	#3: Tragic Songs of Life The Louvin Brothers, (1956) Listened to it before? no Will listen again? no Favourite track: Katie Dear
I like some country music, but this leaves me cold. Some decent interpretations, but nothing to bring me back. Great title though!
	#4: The Wildest! Louis Prima, (1956) Listened to it before? no Will listen again? maybe Favourite track: Night Train
Not someone I've really encountered before outside of Disney's Jungle Book. I enjoy jazz, but there's jazz albums I like more than this. The 'Night Train' cover was the one track I remember after listening but the rest rather passed me by. Perhaps the album deserves another listen.
	#5: This is Fats Fats Domino, (1956) Listened to it before? no Will listen again? yes Favourite track: Honey Chile
My Fats Domino knowledge started and ended at 'Blueberry Hill' but I really enjoyed this. 'The Fat Man's Hop' another highlight.
	#6: Ellington at Newport Duke Ellington, (1956) Listened to it before? no Will listen again? yes Favourite track: Diminuendo in Blue
I enjoy a bit of Duke Ellington but I've never listened to this live album before. It's fantastic. The quality of the recording is great, and the concert is fantastic, culminating in the wonderful 'Diminuendo in Blue'. Great stuff.
	#7: Songs For Swingin' Lovers! Frank Sinatra, (1956) Listened to it before? no Will listen again? no Favourite track: You Make Me Feel So Young
Frank Sinatra singing the Great American Songbook. This is what you think of when you think Sinatra: I'd not listened to this album before but I had already heard most of the interpretations on this album in other contexts, as have we all. It's not for me really: this genre leaves me cold. There's no hooks to get excited about.
	#8: The 'Chirping' Crickets The Crickets, (1957) Listened to it before? yes Will listen again? yes Favourite track: Not Fade Away
I am a huge Buddy Holly fan and spent most of my teenage years listening to his work (I was a very cool teenager). Needless to say I love this. It's difficult to imagine the impact records like this had on people in 1957, but the influence of works like this on the Beatles and others is incredibly clear. Difficult to pick a favourite track as the whole thing is world-changingly great.
	#9: The Atomic Mr. Basie Count Basie, (1957) Listened to it before? no Will listen again? yes Favourite track: Duet
I couldn't point to any prior experience with Count Basie, but I really enjoyed this. Some tracks there I didn't know the names of but recognised. 'Duet' goes down as the best track because my 6-year old son wandered in the room during that one and 'he couldn't stop dancing!'
	#10: Brilliant Corners Thelonious Monk, (1957) Listened to it before? no Will listen again? maybe Favourite track: Bemsha Swing
I generally enjoyed this and it never failed to be interesting during it's 42 min runtime. Nevertheless it didn't grab me like some of the last few I've listened too. I'd be reaching for the Count Basie before this.
	#11: Palo Congo Sabu, (1957) Listened to it before? no Will listen again? no Favourite track: meh
Not for me. I found this utterly forgettable. It took me a bit of time to get around to making this post, and now I can't pick a favourite track or say much about it at all. I think the opener had a nice melody, and I enjoyed the guitar work throughout. It's just not a genre of music I enjoy.
	#12: Birth Of The Cool Miles Davis, (1957) Listened to it before? yes Will listen again? yes Favourite track: Move
Now we're talking. This is a great album, and one I've listened to many times before. Although like most people who don't know much about jazz, if I'm in the mood for Miles Davis I'm probably reaching for 'Kind of Blue' by default. Lots of standout tracks here, but I particularly enjoy the swing of 'Jeru'. and the energetic opener.
	#13: Kenya Machito, (1957) Listened to it before? no Will listen again? maybe Favourite track: Congo Mulence
Another album that's not really my thing, but I quite enjoyed it. The second track 'Congo Mulence' the standout for me, with a really nice groove. The whole album felt quite familiar, even to someone who isn't into this whole Afro-Cuban jazz thing, so if you told me this was inspirational for a lot of stuff which came after, I'd believe you.
	#14: Here's Little Richard Little Richard, (1957) Listened to it before? no Will listen again? yes Favourite track: Tutti Frutti
Another of the foundation documents of rock 'n' roll. The frenetic energy of this album tempered by the fact that I listened to this in the same week that the great man passed away. Many of the tracks here are so embedded in our culture we're all familiar with them: however I had never listened to this particular album before. It's a great record from this formative moment in time. For favourite track it's difficult to look beyond Tutti Frutti, for that opening alone.
	#15: Dance Mania, Vol.1 Tito Puente And His Orchestra, (1958) Listened to it before? no Will listen again? no Favourite track: ...
Oh God. Before now my only exposure to Tito Puente is his guest appearance in the classic Simpsons two-parter 'Who Shot Mr. Burns?'. I'd have been happy if it had stayed that way. This mambo stuff is not for me. Maybe I could get into it if I was in Cuba, sipping a mojito and wearing white trousers. But sitting at my desk in the afternoon in my converted garage in Cheshire? Nope.
	#16: Lady In Satin Billie Holiday, (1958) Listened to it before? no Will listen again? maybe Favourite track: I'm A Fool To Want You
Billie Holiday is an artist who's work I enjoy, but I've never listened to this album before - the last she recorded. Her vocal performance divided people here, and it's clearly not what it was during her heyday. Still an emotional, enjoyable listen. For favourite track I can't look past the poignant opener 'I'm a Fool To Want You', her troubled life clear in the performance.
	#17: Jack Takes The Floor Jack Elliott, (1958) Listened to it before? no Will listen again? maybe Favourite track: East Texas Talking Blues
Ramblin' Jack Elliott someone who I had heard of, but I was not familiar with his work. However I knew him to be a huge influence on Bob Dylan and a whole host of other artists I love, so I was excited for this one. In the end, I didn't really get on with it - a bit too raw and roots for me. Yodelling is usually a bit of a turn-off. 'East Texas Talking Blues' was my favourite because here I really could see the influence on the folk artists like Dylan who would soon follow. 'Cocaine' another highlight.
	#18: Sarah Vaughan At Mister Kelly's Sarah Vaughan, (1958) Listened to it before? no Will listen again? yes Favourite track: September In The Rain
Yep, really enjoyed this one. Great voice, great tunes, great live presentation that brought you into the room. I listened to the original 9 track album and was then compelled to listen to the 20 track full concert special edition, so if that's not a recommendation I don't know what is.
	#19: Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Gershwin Song Book Ella Fitzgerald, (1958) Listened to it before? no Will listen again? no Favourite track: Someone To Watch Over Me
The version of this I listened to was a huge six disc edition which took me half of the day to get through. Many of the songs here should be familiar to most of course, although not necessarily these versions. From my point of view this is OK background music, but not really my thing for a serious listen.
	#20: The Genius of Ray Charles Ray Charles, (1959) Listened to it before? no Will listen again? yes Favourite track: Don't Let The Sun Catch you Cryin'
Great voice, great songs. Most of these I've heard before on other compilations. The album here is a nice, cohesive collection with no real filler. I think this one can move into the rotation!
	#21: Kind of Blue Miles Davis, (1959) Listened to it before? yes Will listen again? yes Favourite track: Flamenco Sketches
The blues album for people who don't know anything about the blues. What's to say, it's absolutely fantastic and a regular listen for me.
	#22: Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs Marty Robbins, (1959) Listened to it before? no Will listen again? perhaps Favourite track: Cool Water
I've bounced off these early country albums so far but I liked this quite a bit. My previous exposure to Marty Robbins is limited to his version of Singin' The Blues. There's some tender and soulful stuff here, with 'Cool Water' and 'They're Hanging Me Tonight' being personal favourites.
	#23: Time Out The Dave Brubeck Quartet, (1959) Listened to it before? no Will listen again? no Favourite track: Take Five
This left me pretty cold. 'Take Five' obviously the standout, and the only track I recognised. The rest didn't really evoke any excitement in me.
	#24: Joan Baez Joan Baez, (1960) Listened to it before? yes Will listen again? yes Favourite track: Fare Thee Well
Into the 60's! I'm a Joan Baez fan through the Dylan connection. My first academic job was at a university with a decent sized arts centre on campus, and part of my welcome pack was a free ticket to a show of my choice, and I was delighted to use it to see Joan: the only time I've seen her live. I remember coming out of a great show and seeing the lunar eclipse that was visible that night. This album is a collection of traditional folk songs. 'Silver Dagger' probably the standout, and a track very much associated with Joan, but I have a real soft spot for 'Fare Thee Well' on this album.
	#25: Elvis is Back! Elvis Presley, (1960) Listened to it before? no Will listen again? probably not Favourite track: The Girl of My Best Friend
I love Elvis, but I don't think he's really an album artist and I tend to enjoy his output via compilations. His 1956 debut being the exception to that I think. I'd not listened to this album before. It's a good collection of songs with some classics. It's not changed my mind regarding Elvis albums.
	#26: Miriam Makeba Miriam Makeba, (1960) Listened to it before? no Will listen again? no Favourite track: Mbube
I started out enjoying this, but by the second half my attention had drifted away. In general I probably enjoyed the rootsy African stuff (Mbube etc.) than the renditions of western folk classics (Rising Sun) but in general, pretty forgettable for me I'm afraid.
	#27: A Date With The Everly Brothers The Everly Brothers, (1960) Listened to it before? no Will listen again? no Favourite track: Cathy's Clown
Great harmonies of course, great rock and roll sound. I enjoyed it, I know how influential they are, but this didn't make me want to dig further into their back catalogue. The problems sometimes when you encounter the truly influential acts is that is can seem like you've heard it all before because you know what comes after. If I'd heard this in 1960 it would probably feel much fresher.
	#28: Back At The Chicken Shack Jimmy Smith, (1960) Listened to it before? no Will listen again? yes Favourite track: Back At The Chicken Shack
Not a lot to say except I really enjoyed this! A new one on me, but I love the sound of the Hammond organ and the best of it can be heard here. WIll listen again.
	#29: Muddy Waters At Newport Muddy Waters, (1960) Listened to it before? no Will listen again? yes Favourite track: I'm Your Hoochie Coochie Man
First time I've heard this live album and I enjoyed it. The sound quality on the version I listened to was great for a live album recorded 60 years ago.
	#30: Sunday At The Village Vanguard Bill Evans Trio featuring Scott La Faro, (1961) Listened to it before? no Will listen again? no Favourite track: Don't know really. Enjoyed it, but can't point to a particular highlight.
Jazz. I enjoyed it. I wouldn't listen to it again. Prefer to consume something like this in a live setting.
	#31: Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music Ray Charles, (1962) Listened to it before? no Will listen again? no Favourite track: Bye Bye Love
Ray again! Enjoyed it but didn't love it, with the interpretation of 'Bye Bye Love' being entertainingly different to the other versions of that song I've heard before.
	#32: Green Onions Booker T. and The M.G.’s, (1962) Listened to it before? no Will listen again? no Favourite track: Green Onions
Having heard only the title track before, I was excited for this. I didn't dislike it, but the rest of the album didn't hold my attention. Very much a background music feel for me.
	#33: Jazz Samba Stan Getz and Charlie Byrd, (1962) Listened to it before? no Will listen again? no Favourite track: Desafinado
I approached this album with the word 'Samba' in the title with a degree of trepidation, but it was actually pretty OK. I wouldn't listen to it again though.
	#34: Night Life Ray Price, (1962) Listened to it before? no Will listen again? no Favourite track: Lonely Street
Country. It was OK - but again, not one that really hooked me. I'm disappointed that I'm well into the 60's now; a decade I love and was looking forward to learning more about, and my reaction to most of these albums is 'meh'. At least some guys I'm familiar with are coming up to arrest the slide...
	#35: With The Beatles The Beatles, (1963) Listened to it before? yes Will listen again? yes Favourite track: All My Loving
The Beatles. I am surprised that we have skipped over 'Please Please Me', which I would have thought would have got a look-in on this list. But there we are. This is a long way from my favourite Beatles album but it's still fantastic. 'You Really Got A Hold Of Me' a highlight, but for the 'favourite track' I couldn't not choose a Lennon-McCartney composition here.
	#36: The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan Bob Dylan, (1963) Listened to it before? yes Will listen again? yes Favourite track: Don't Think Twice, It's All Right
One of my favourite albums by my favourite artist. A masterpiece of songwriting. Step 1 on the path to a Nobel prize. Will listen again.
	#37: A Christmas Gift For You Phil Spector, (1963) Listened to it before? no Will listen again? no Favourite track: Sleigh Ride
I don't really like Christmas music, and that's particularly true in March. So I found this compilation from the innovator and murderer Spector a bit heavy going. I'll pick 'Sleigh Ride' as my favourite, being as it is a good example of the 'Wall of Sound'.
	#38: Live At The Harlem Square Club Sam Cooke, (1963) Listened to it before? yes Will listen again? yes Favourite track: Medley: It's All Right / For Sentimental Reasons
I've been a big fan of Sam Cooke ever since my mid-twenties, when I was inspired to try out his stuff after listening to a documentary series on his tragic life on Radio 4. This is a great live album which I thoroughly enjoyed hearing again.
	#39: The Black Saint And The Sinner Lady Charles Mingus, (1963) Listened to it before? no Will listen again? maybe Favourite track: Track A: Solo Dancer
A new one on me. I'm not the biggest jazz fan, but I liked this. I liked the urgency of the opening track, and I liked the way it surprised me throughout, like with the Spanish guitars on the final track. Whether I would pick it out again I don't know, but a good listen.
	#40: Live At The Apollo James Brown, (1963) Listened to it before? yes Will listen again? yes Favourite track: Lost Someone
Maybe my favourite live album of all time, and one I've listened to more times than I can count. Fantastic energy throughout, as you would expect from The Hardest Working Man In Showbusiness. This is everything a live album should be, from the interaction with the crowd and the band to the hit parade in the medley. Cracking stuff.
	#41: Getz/Gilberto Stan Getz and Joao Gilberto, (1963) Listened to it before? no Will listen again? no Favourite track: The Girl from Ipanema
Pleasant enough, and a lot more of it was familiar to me than I was expecting. Not really my sort of thing though.
	#42: A Hard Day's Night The Beatles, (1964) Listened to it before? yes Will listen again? yes Favourite track: Things We've Said Today
They're deep into their song writing groove now, and the days of half of the tracks being cover versions are long gone. This is an absolute 10/10 album, and signs of things to come.
	#43: Olympia 64 Jacques Brel, (1964) Listened to it before? no Will listen again? no Favourite track: Amsterdam
Left me completely cold. Hard pass on this one.
	#44: Rock n' Soul Solomon Burke, (1964) Listened to it before? no Will listen again? yes Favourite track: Just Out Of Reach (Of My Two Empty Arms)
Lots to recognise here, but I'd never listened to this album before. Loved it. Banger after banger.
	#45: A Girl Called Dusty Dusty Springfield, (1964) Listened to it before? no Will listen again? yes Favourite track: Anyone Who Had a Heart
Could have copied and pasted my comments from the previous album here: mostly very familiar and all really great. The 'Wall of Sound' influence is strong here, but I found the production and mastering of this album a bit disjointed - it felt more like a collection of singles than a cohesive album. Minor quibbles aside, 5 stars.
	#46: The Rolling Stones The Rolling Stones, (1964) Listened to it before? yes Will listen again? yes Favourite track: Route 66
This is good. I've never been a huge Stones fan and this is a long way off from their peak, but you get the sense of what they are going to become. Must have been pretty exciting at the time.
	#47: Buck Owens And His Buckaroos I've Got A Tiger By The Tail, (1965) Listened to it before? no Will listen again? no Favourite track: Act Naturally
I'll be honest with you, had enough of the country albums by now. I only really perked up at the end with the live version of Act Naturally, which I don't believe was on the original release of this record. Made me think we must be due another Beatles album soon, surely?
	#48: Jerry Lee Lewis Live At The Star Club, Hamburg (1965) Listened to it before? no Will listen again? no Favourite track: Whole Lotta Shakin' Going' On
Not heard this before, but a great live album full of rock 'n roll energy. The version on Spotify is incredibly short at only 22 minutes. The book says it should be more like 38 min so there seems to be a lot missing from that version. I'd like to listen to the full thing.
	#49: The Sonics Here Are The Sonics (1965) Listened to it before? no Will listen again? yes Favourite track: The Witch
This is what this exercise is all about. I'd never heard of the Sonics before, but this was great! Energetic, lo-fi stuff that sounds way ahead of its time. Really enjoyed.
	#50: Bob Dylan Bringing It All Back Home (1965) Listened to it before? yes Will listen again? yes Favourite track: Subterranean Homesick Blues
An all time favourite album from my all time favourite artist. This marked the beginning of the 18 month period that would also see the release of Highway 61 Revisited and Blonde on Blonde - perhaps the most productive period for any recorded artist? Absolutely nothing to fault here as Dylan goes electric, but the best is yet to come.