So I've managed to obtain the first 75 albums listed in the book, so I can go back and fill in a few gaps for albums that I hadn't listened to. And I can say that next week has two really big music icons in it (I just started listening to them yesterday). Probably two of the biggest in the book. I wonder if you can guess who they are?
Fat Domino - This is Fats (1956)
Err... I've just had to look at the entry for this album in the book to confirm the year so I could add it to the title. And these songs don't match up (some entries have the full track list). So what am I listening to, and what was I intending to write about? I had trouble finding 'This Is Fats' when I was looking before. And I've tried having a quick look now, seems like The Rooster (the first track I have) is from an album in 57 but I can't seem to find enough details, and it isn't worth my while continuing to search. So in any case, I suppose I should give an impression of the album I'm listening to. I guess you would call this kind of swinging rock, with Fats on vocals and piano. The Rooster is the first track and probably my favourite. It just seems like Fats is having fun. The album is varied in tone, with a few slower and slightly moody pieces without detracting from the overall rock feel. Pretty good album, but not quite my thing. I won't be bothering to search for the actual album 'This Is Fats'. If someone else has it and wants to send it my way then I'll include it.
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Little Richard - Here's Little Richard (1957)
So what's with these artists announcing themselves? This is Fats? Here's Little Richard? I guess it was just the way it was done back in the day, as these certainly aren't the first on the list. Maybe this still happens today in the genres I'm not familiar with. Didn't Justin Timberlake release something with his name in the title (as opposed to a self-titled album)? Anyhow, back to Little Richard. We've got some rock and roll here, and the glorious cover shot gives you an idea of the passion that he brings (or maybe he was a star in all-male adult films and he used a shot from that). The album open with Tutti Frutti, and while I wouldn't say I'm the most familiar with the song, it is probably the best version I've heard. All the songs are delivered with fervour, and I guess if you want to make a negative comment about this album, it's that there isn't a lot of variety in the tone. But I think that is also for the best. It seems like, at least from listening to this one album, that Little Richard is doing exactly what he does best; belting out rock anthems.
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Charles Mingus - The Black Saint & The Sinner Lady (1963)
Ah jazz, we meet again. I expect the tone of some of my previous entries has given the impression that I may be getting a little tired of jazz. And you'd be right. I just don't seem to be getting jazz. So here we have a measly 4 tracks. So you'd expect a rather short album. On the contrary, this album goes just short of 40 minutes, and while most of that owes to the 18 minute final track, the first 3 still average 7 minutes a piece. Like most jazz without vocals, I find it hard to really get into and focus on, but I'd call this one of the better instrumentals that I've listened to so far. It seems to evoke a bit more emotion than most.
One track in particular has a standout part, perhaps mostly because of the imagery that it conveyed while listening to it. At one point what I expect to be a tuba sounds like it is dying, and it generated an image akin to a slightly darker Disney film. I was imagining a personified tuba (you know, like the candleholder from Beauty & the Beast) lolling around in misery, head drooped, wandering around without purpose. Has jazz just evoked something in me? Still, those moments for me were fleeting, but even without those this was still a good album. If you like jazz, I suggest giving it a listen.