Live at the Apollo (1963) - Jamos Brown


Album title: Live at the Apollo
Year of recording: 1963
Artist: Jamos Brown
Label: King
Producer: Jamos Brown
Art Director: Dan Quest
Country: USA

Thales Jacobi
Oct 02, 2010
"Rocky and soulful."

3 out of 5

James Brown is actually a great performer and his band was incredible on this album. It is a lot of soul and sweet melodies that I didn't particularly felt too fond of, but I do respect his groove and essence. Scored 3 out of 5 on my rating but I'm not sure if they deserve a 4 or not... Maybe I will change this rate in the future, who knows...

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The Black Saint And The Sinner Lady (1963) - Charles Mingus


Album title: The Black Saint And The Sinner Lady
Year of recording: 1963
Artist: Charles Mingus
Label: Impluse!
Producer: Bob Thiele
Art Director: Hollis King
Country: USA

Thales Jacobi
Oct 02, 2010
"Powerful in soul and technique,"

4 out of 5

Incredible melodies, nice pace and rhythm and darkish atmosphere; this is how I describe this album. Interesting sounds and instrumental interactions helps building a unique, generous Jazz with many elements to analyse and enjoy. Nice work Charles Mingus. "Freewoman and oh" is my favourite.

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Live At The Harlem Square Club (1963) - Sam Cooke


Album title: Live At The Harlem Square Club
Year of recording: 1963
Artist: Sam Cooke
Label: RCA
Producer: Phil Spector
Art Director:
Country: USA

Thales Jacobi
Sep 27, 2010
"Quiet powerful voice."

3 out of 5

Surprisingly good for a romantic album. Sam's voice is great and the songs can be quiet fun and entertaining. I think it is a "most hear" but I recognise it isn't for all tastes.

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A Christmas Gift For You (1963) - Phil Spector


Album title: A Christmas Gift For You
Year of recording: 1963
Artist: Phil Spector
Label: Philles
Producer: Phil Spector
Art Director:
Country: USA

Thales Jacobi
Sep 27, 2010
"Christmas songs..."

1 out of 5

I don't like Christmas songs and this is it, the most Christmasy album I've heard in my life. Hated it.

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The Freewhellin' Bob Dylan (1963) - Bob Dylan


Album title: The Freewhellin' Bob Dylan
Year of recording: 1963
Artist: Bob Dylan
Label: Columbia
Producer: John Hammond
Art Director:
Country: USA

Thales Jacobi
Sep 27, 2010
"Deep and particular."

4 out of 5

Bob Dylan is incredible, I don't think anyone could have the same success singing with such a quiet voice and such a dull, but deep, guitar chords. I love it and hope to see more of his work in the "1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die" book.

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With the Beatles (1963) - The Beatles


Album title: With the Beatles
Year of recording: 1963
Artist: The Beatles
Label: Parlophone
Producer: George Martin
Art Director: Robert Freeman
Country: UK

Thales Jacobi
Sep 14, 2010
"The Beatles! You know how it is..."

3 out of 5

Come on guys lets be honest, The Beatles is ok but not great. Maybe there are some important context factors to consider (like Britain not having had any global artists up until this point for example) but after listening to Duke Ellington, Miles Davis, Ray Charles and even Little Richard, The Beatles is just ok for me! Cool rock but a bit too pop for my taste and there is very little truly interesting melodies going on, the rest has been listened to and copied from other musicians. It is a cool album to have at home for collectors, other than that they have been hyper-hipped. This album scored 3 out of 5 (would be 2 if they weren't who they are/were).

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Night Life (1962) - Ray Price


Album title: Night Life
Year of recording: 1962
Artist: Ray Price
Label: Koch
Producer: Frank Jones and Don Law
Art Director:
Country: USA

Thales Jacobi
Sep 14, 2010
"Too Country me. You might like it though."

2 out of 5

Probably a rare album because I could only find 4 song of the 12 recorded. Clean and clear Unitedstadien country folk.

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Jazz Samba (1962) - Stan Getz and Charlie Byrd


Album title: Jazz Samba
Year of recording: 1962
Artist: Stan Getz and Charlie Byrd
Label: Verve
Producer: Creed Taylor
Art Director: Olga Albizu
Country: USA

Thales Jacobi
Sep 13, 2010
"Bossa Nova at its best. Must listen!"

5 out of 5

I've been waiting for this moment since the beginning of my journey of make this blog: Bossa Nova played by Unitedstadiens (citizens of the USA). This is a great example of Brazilian swing and the expression of Stan and Charlie is exhilarating. Awesome! 5 out of 5.

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Green Onions (1962) - Booker T. And Charlie M.G.s


Album title: Green Onions
Year of recording: 1962
Artist: Booker T. And Charlie M.G.s
Label: Stax
Producer: Jim Stewart
Art Director: Haig Adishian
Country: USA

Thales Jacobi
Sep 13, 2010
"In one word: cheeky! Brilliant."

4 out of 5

Really good album. The keyboards are so intense and flexible that freaked me out some times because it was sounding like the human voice. Very interesting and there are loads of elements to analyse and digest. 4 out of 5.

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Sunday At The Village Vanguard (1961) - Bill Evans


Album title: Sunday At The Village Vanguard
Year of recording: 1961
Artist: Bill Evans
Label: Riverside
Producer: Orrin Keepnews
Art Director: Ken Deardoff
Country: USA

Thales Jacobi
Sep 12, 2010
"Pure Jazz."

3 out of 5

"Jade Visions" was incredible; this song is cool and fun. Loved it to pieces! The whole album is pure Jazz and soul. It seems Bill Evans influenced a whole generation of pianist Jazz players with this amazing master piece. Really good indeed.

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Muddy Waters At Newport (1960) - Muddy Waters


Album title: Muddy Waters At Newport
Year of recording: 1960
Artist: Muddy Waters
Label: Chess
Producer:
Art Director:
Country: USA

Thales Jacobi
Sep 12, 2010
"Live Blues Master Piece."

4 out of 5

For Blues loves this is what you should be looking for, this album represents the moment the biggest names in Blues would have space in the pop charts. This is the sweet spot for live performances to be appreciated by wider audiences of all ages and social situations. It is quite powerful and intelligent.

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Back At The Chicken Shack (1960) - Jimmy Smith


Album title: Back At TheChicken Shack
Year of recording: 1960
Artist: Jimmy Smith
Label: Blue Note
Producer: Alfred Lion
Art Director: Reid Miles
Country: USA

Thales Jacobi
Sep 12, 2010
"The Jazz most like Blues I've seing so far."

4 out of 5

Fabulous Jazz. With complex and relax melodies I found this album exhilarating in its sophisticated "ups and downs". They were calling this album "soul jazz" and I think that is very accurate. A "must listen to" on anyone's list.

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A Date With The Everly Brothers (1960) - Everly Brothers


Album title: A Date With The Everly Brothers
Year of recording: 1960
Artist: Everly Brothers
Label: Warner Bros.
Producer: Don Everly
Art Director:
Country: USA

Thales Jacobi
Sep 12, 2010
"Early rock lullabies... soft and pop."

2 out of 5

Lucille is by far my favourite in this album. The others are too pop for me. They seem to have made history because they reached the top charts when competing against Elvis' come back album. Well done for them but don't see why this happened; just too 'ye-ye-ye' for me. Scored 2 out of 5.

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Miriam Makeba (1960) - Miriam Makeba


Album title: Miriam Makeba
Year of recording: 1960
Artist: Miriam Makeba
Label: RCA Victor
Producer: Harry Belafonte
Art Director:
Country: South Africa

Thales Jacobi
Sep 12, 2010
"Diverse African rhythms with great singing emotional appeal."

3 out of 5

Exiled in the US when escaping from the apartheid, Makeba stepped into the best Jazz scene a musician could ever want: New York. She bravely opened space for Calypso, Indonesian and Afro-pop. Great African song writer and musician, not my favourite style but again, this isn't the blog for personal selection, it is about diversity and for that reason, Makeba is an excellent choice for getting in touch with that rich and romantic African rhythm.

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Elvis is Back! (1960) - Elvis Presley


Album title: Elvis is Back!
Year of recording: 1960
Artist: Elvis Presley
Label: RCA
Producer: Chet Atkins & Steve Sholes
Art Director:
Country: USA

Thales Jacobi
Sep 12, 2010
"Versatile and professional, his welcome back."

3 out of 5

You can see Elvis spent a long time preparing these songs. There are blues and rock'n'roll as well as romantic and R&B songs. It doesn't have that roughness I love in the early 50s songs and he is very tamed although the lyrics are highly sensual. I kind of liked it but it scored 3 out of 5 this time.

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I couldn't find all of the tracks of this album, but with most of them in hand I can tell you that this album isn't for all tastes. She is a great singer and an independent guitar player with powerful lyrics; Joan is intimist and passionate, perfect for the beginning of 1960s, an era of intimate power and hunger for social changes.

Album

Label: Vanguard
Producer: Maynard Solomon
Art Director: Jules Halfant
Country: USA

 

Pensei em uma freira, na Mary Poppins, na moça que tocava violão em "Aperte o cinto que o piloto sumiu." Bati na cara dela, mimiquei os tons agudos e o vibrato quase exagerado de seu timbre, mas também a apreciei e até senti falta quando parou de tocar. Dificil ficar impassível diante da voz e violão de Joan Baez.

Album

Gravadora: Vanguard
Produtor: Maynard Solomon
Diretor Artístico: Jules Halfant
País: EUA

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It is a happy jazz. Easy to listen and the clever drums with simple bass-guitar make and intimet and rich environment for Dave Burbeck to play catchy melodies that stand the test of time. Each track has its own soul making this a very flexible album. Quite interesting to me.

Album

Label: Columbia
Producer: Teo Macero
Country: USA

 

Que grata experiência foi ouvir Time Out. Como poucos, The Dave Brubeck Quartet tem o dom de deixar na sua cabeça uma melodia fresca e memóravel. Finalmente descobri o nome de uma das minhas música preferidas: Take Five. É possível que você já tenha se perguntado quem a escreveu também.

Album

Gravadora: Columbia
Produtor: Teo Macero
País: EUA

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This a quite emotional album. It isn't as uplifting as the previous but his solidifies his career with high and long notes, good style. The song 'All Blues' is crazy, almost magical. Uau, what a feeling is coming through the speakers, just beautiful.

Album

Label: Columbia
Producer: Irving Townsend
Art Director: Jay Maisel
Country: USA

 

Album

Gravadora: Columbia
Produtor: Irving Townsend
Diretor Artístico: Jay Maisel
País: EUA

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Interesting approach to Jazz this album is. Quit jazzy wind instruments, almost Latin drums with the coolest lyrics I've hear up until now in this blog's short history. It is a blend of styles in my opinion and this is reflexion of a great musician with lots of people skills. The environment he creates with the band is remarkable even for today's standards (in terms of production of the music) and all of that was recorded live with all instruments. Liked very much, I think I'm gonna buy it...

Album

Label: Atlantic
Producer: Nesuhi Ertegun
Art Director: Marvin Israel
Country: USA

 

Album

Gravadora: Atlantic
Produtor: Nesuhi Ertegun
Diretor Artístico: Marvin Israel
País: EUA

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One thing I have to say about Ella Fitzgerald: what a voice! Her orchestra makes a complex environment with highly skilled maestri. The many ups and downs open opportunities for more complex lyric and vocal tunes. Immediately see honesty in every chord or the tumbling sweet-thunder that is her voice, fitting perfectly into the harmony of Jazz. It’s happy, it’s romantic... I bet this was the pop of the jazz, but a good one. Amazing how 1950s pop is so much better then today’s.

Album

Label: Verve
Producer: Norman Granz
Art Director: Bernard Buffet
Country: USA

 

Album

Gravadora: Verve
Produtor: Norman Granz
Diretor Artístico: Bernard Buffet
País: EUA

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Honestly, I thought it was a bit out of tune. Not all the time, but mainly on the first song. Was it on purpose? I don't know, and it was too much Jazzy for me anyway, I like more gutted types of music. "Just one of those things" is quite crazy and the voice was a bit acid and easy, with a more simple melody, and this is my favourite song from this album. Her late albums were more of my taste.

Album

Label: EmArcy
Producer: Bob Shad
Country: USA

 

Album

Gravadora: EmArcy
Produtor: Bob Shad
País: EUA

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For my disappointment (and yours too I'm sure) Jack Elliott's album "Jack Takes The Floor" isn't easy to find and therefore I have to improvise. My review will be based on only four songs of the 11 this album has... and I want to hear some more. This is the type of thing I like and respect: raw, a bit out of tune, great little stories, educated guitars. Jack was ahead on the Folk game and even today Mick Jagger, Paul McCartney and others have acknowledged Jack's influence and I can see why. Not for all tastes, but worthy of appreciation.

Album

Label: Topic
Produtor: Bill Leader, Dick Swettenham
País: USA

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Uau, Billie Holiday had such a mature voice and a sadness that you almost feel sorry for being happy. She was a great interpreter and she would get her emotions pass through her body and make your guts move in sinc with her's. She was struggling to bit her own "demons" by the time of this album and although all songs sound alike, this is a masterpiece that opened the doors for single female musicians such as Janis Joplin and Amy Winehouse. I personally couldn't listen to it for too long.

Album

Label: Columbia
Producer: Irving Townsend
Country: USA

 

Album

Gravadora: Columbia
Produtor: Irving Townsend
País: EUA

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Tito Puente was a brave man: bringing Latin style of music (Afro-Cuban to be specific) into New York. He was a hard-skin musician who knew what he wanted. That is to play his songs with his incredible orchestra. That is it! No selling of to the already set market of Jazz clubs or R&B and Rock radio shows. No, not Tito! He would lead his band successfully for 10 years before being able to record. "Dance Mania" was his gold medal and from this album he established the standards for future Latin-like music styles like Landada, Cha-cha-chá and Rumba.

Album

Label: BMG
País: USA

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 Review do Bugio

I agree with Wikipedia: Little Richard was key to the transition between R&B and Rock'n'Roll. He was a hit maker and this album was probably the best of Richard; who doesn't know "Tutti Frutti", "Ready Teddy", "Long Tall Sally", and so on. He was a strange guy, not everybody like his performance, but fact is he was a power house exploding of energy with catchy simple drums and a great (and easy) melody. Well crafted lyrics are also part of the 'game' this album started and I think he should be given more credit as rock and roll pope -- or something like that.

Album

Label: Specialty
Produtor: Bumps Blackwell
Diretor Artistico: Thadd Roark
País: USA

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 Review do Bugio

I was complaining about Sabu two albums ago because of his crazy drums that didn't do it for me. Machito follow somewhat the same trend with one big difference: MACHITO IS FANTASTIC! The wind instruments were spot on and the drum weren't too loud. "Kenya" is now on my list of one of the best "Latino" albums... this is a proper afro-jazz with Latin soul. Loved it!

The song "Kenya" was my favourite and I felt like dancing listening to it; reminded Brazilian carnival of 1950s.

Album

Label: Roulette Jazz
Produtor: Ralph Seijo
País: USA

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 Review do Bugio

Miles Davis was a temperamental guy with a great talent. This album was stupendous, happy, easy to listen, a bit of a pop-jazz in my opinion (or harmonic "cool" Jazz as some might call it.)

There is nice story about him and the Brazilian maestro Hermeto Pascoal: In 1974 Hermeto had been invited by Airton Moreira to write some songs in New York. Miles Davis came along and asked to listen to some of Hermeto's work (they were both living around Central Park at the time) at Davis' house. Hermeto brought his guitar with him and they played 12 songs and they ended up recording 2 songs together. Hermeto's name didn't get printed in the first edition of the album, but did on the second (I'll research the name of the album). After Davis' death, Hermeto's name was deleted again. I think Miles was surrounded by bastards who had more interest on the money than music. Miles is cool though.

Album

Label: Capitol
Produtor: Pete Rugolo
País: USA

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 Review do Bugio

I'm not a drummer so I don't see the biggy of his ability. I'm sure he is fantastic but to me it sounds like kids playing with plastic bottles. Sorry Sabu! Couldn't hear were the genius was in this album.

Album

Label: Blue Note
Produtor: Alfred Lion
Diretor de arte: Reid Miles
País: USA

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 Review da Silab

 Review do Bugio

Thelonious Monk is a ferocious player with an unprecedented and clear influence of Latin music in soft saxophone lines along with a break drum bit and a bass with an 'active voice' made this a remarkable bebop and helped setting standards. With easy melodies made of resting endings this album sounds like 'music to my ears'. I'm a bossa nova lover Monk's audacity is almost a Michelangelo painting among the pop jazz that surrounded him at the time.

Album

Label: Riverside
Produtor: Orrin Keepnews
Diretor de arte: Paul Bacon
País: USA

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 Review da Silab

 Review do Bugio

Count Basie was astonishing in this great jazz sample of the 50s. He enjoyed a long and profitable life as jazz statesmen for more than 30 after this album. Always a pleasure to listen to a great, gutted, piano and saxophone jazz’s quietness and modesty. It is a gentle and delicate punch on rock's face. I'm starting to like jazz after all, finally I understand a little of it.

Album

Label: Roulette
Produtor: Teddy Reig
País: USA

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 Review da Silab

 Review do Bugio

What we call in Brazil "the ie-ie-ie era", Buddy Holly's first band "The Crickets" is the first -- among the ones in this book -- to use the famous 1-2 rock and roll drum bit. With raw singing voice, almost lacking in quality even for the time, this is definately a milestone in rock history. Roy Orbinson part-wrote some songs of this album.

Album

Label: Brunswick
Produtor: Norman Petty
País: USA

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 Review da Silab

 Review do Bugio

Frank is the type of pop star that you kind of know what you are going to listen before even pushing the play button. "Songs For Swingin' Lovers!" is another classic that went up the pop charts with a swing and that seems to have been his gift to the world: pop swing music. Bravo! I say. It isn't something easy to do in by any standards. He was such a clever singer.. Very few people can be so successful with such a normal voice A bit like Elvis as well although Elvis looked like trying; Sinatra is a bit "who cares".

Album

Label: Capitol
Produtor: Voyle Gilmore
País: USA

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 Review da Silab

 Review do Bugio

Duke is more than a musician, he is a maestro. The songs are fabulously crafted and his musicians are just unbelievable. He has been making music since 1929 and by the time of this album, in 1956, he was already one of the biggest names in jazz. I think he had to deal with racism a lot back then, this kind of stupidity was the norm, but he never looked worried or depressed. He was a jazz tower!

Album

Label: Columbia
Produtor: George Avakian
País: USA

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 Review da Silab

 Review do Bugio

This is the biggest success of Fats. I think it is because he was too good to make it pop. His popest song "Blueberry Hill" (original of Glenn Miller in 1940) was made by joining pieces of the recording sessions because he could not finish the song in the studio and this little Frankenstein (made of magnetic tapes) rocketed his carrier on the pop charts. I think he is one of the best musicians of the 50s.

Album

Label: Imperial
Produtor: Dave Bartholomew
País: USA

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 Review da Silab

 Review do Bugio

This Italian was nuts. Great singer with a happy velvety voice he never liked his own songs. With an explosive personality he revolutionazed Jazz with the help of Sam Butera, saxofonist. "Body and Soul" is my favourite from this album, a bit serious, great easy-to-understand Jazz (with no singing funny enough).

Album

Label: Capitol
Produtor: Voyle Gilmore
País: USA

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 Review da Silab

 Review do Bugio

These were crazy guys, talking about sins and devils back in 1957. I think they were the ones to give the first step towards 'dark-like' styles of lyrics. The songs are unitestadian Country with interesting stories like "I'll put my horse in the run and if I get a green bag I sure will have some fun...” Like them, not my type of music though.

Album

Label: Capitol
Produtor: Ken Nelson
País: USA

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Elvis Presley (1956) - Elvis Presley


Album title: Elvis Presley
Year of recording: 1956
Artist: Elvis Presley
Label: RCA
Producer:
Art Director: William V. Robertson
Country: USA

Thales Jacobi
Sep 10, 2010
"Raw, faulty,energetic... pure rock'n'roll"

5 out of 5

With an album entitled with his name, Elvis Presley is a beauty for rock'n'roll fans. Raw, with technical faults, energetic and innovative this is one of my favourite albums of all time. "Money Honey" is especially melodic and the guitar is great -- for the time. I'm suspicious to talk about Elvis: I'm a collector and a fan. Don't really know why I just think he did stand out from the incredible line up of the pop artists from the 50s. He was competing against the poet Frank Sinatra, the maestro Duke Ellington, the woop-bop-bam-boom Little Richard as well as the powerful Billie Holiday. Elvis, well he was normal! Normal but with focus, he tried and tried and finally hit the top spot and didn't let it go. I like and admire him and you will definitely read me saying good things about his albums and his career.

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In the wee small hours (1955) - Frank Sinatra
Label: Capitol
Producer: Voyle Gilmore
Art Director: Tommy Steele
Country: USA

"Deep, sad, gorgeus!"

Thales Jacobi

May 25, 2010

3 out of 5

You have to understand Sinatra: he had just broken up with his girlfriend and had no money. This album paints this picture. It is a brilliant bland of well orchestrated and rehearsed music with the deep sadness of a poetic broken heart. Not to cheer you up.

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