1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die - #20. Ray Charles - The Genius of Ray Charles (1959)

Ray Charles - The Genius of Ray Charles (1959)

Track Listing (standout tracks in bold

1. Let The Good Times Roll
2. It Had To Be You
3. Alexander's Ragtime Band
4. Two Years Of Torture
5. When Your Lover Has Gone
6. Deed I Do
7. Just For A Thrill
8. You Won't Let Me Go
9. Tell Me You'll Wait For Me
10. Don't Let The Sun Catch You Cryin'
11. Am I Blue
12. Come Rain Or Come Shine

Just a fantastic listen. Ray Charles voice is heard throughout in peak performance. Giving soul to the fast tracks and ballads that just drips from the speakers! The ‘sides’ of the album feature songs in two distinct styles. Big Band arrangements (arranged by Quincy Jones) on one side, string orchestra arrangements on the other. No matter – whatever style he is playing – it is just so damn soulful! Released in 1959 – this to me could be the definition of the birth of soul music. Truly great tracks throughout and highly recommended.

ABSOLUTE ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR ROCKTOBER 31:
Larry Mullen from U2 is 47; Mikkey Dee from Motorhead is 45;

Top 10 CD's/Downloads

TOP 10 ABSOLUTE ROCK CD'S/DOWNLOADS
1. AC/DC...Black Ice
2. METALLICA...Death Magnetic
3. KID ROCK...Rock 'N' Roll Jesus
4. SLIPKNOT...All Hope Is Gone
5. BOB DYLAN...The Bootleg Series, Vol. 8: Tell Tale Signs - Rare and Unreleased 1989-2006
6. SAVING ABEL...Saving Abel
7. DISTURBED...Indestructible
8. JOURNBEY...Revelation
9. STAIND...The Illusion Of Progress
10. BUCKCHERRY...Black Butterfly

ABSOLUTE ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR ROCKTOBER 30:
Grace Slick is 69; Chris Slade from Asia is 62; Timothy B. Schmit from The Eagles 61; Gavin Rossdale from Bush is 41;

1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die - #19. Ella Fitzgerald - Sings the George and Ira Gershwin Songbook (1959)

Ella Fitzgerald - Sings the George and Ira Gershwin Songbook (1959)

Track Listing

1. Ambulatory Suite
2. Prelude
3. Sam And Delilah
4. But Not For Me
5. My One And Only
6. Let's Call The Whole Thing Off
7. I've Got Beginner's Luck
8. Oh Lady Be Good
9. Nice Work If You Can Get It
10. Things Are Looking Up
11. Just Another Rumba
12. How Long Has This Been Going On
13. It's Wonderful
14. Man I Love
15. That Certain Feeling
16. By Strauss
17. Someone To Watch Over Me
18. Real American Folk Song Is A Rag
19. Who Cares
20. Looking For A Boy
21. They All Laughed
22. My Cousin In Milwaukee
23. Somebody From Somewhere
24. Foggy Day
25. Clap Yo' Hands
26. For You For Me For Evermore
27. Stiff Upper Lip
28. Boy Wanted
29. Strike Up The Band
30. Soon
31. I've Got A Crush On You
32. Bidin' My Time
33. Aren't You Kind Of Glad We Did
34. Of Thee I Sing
35. Half Of It Dearie Blues
36. I Was Doing All Right
37. He Loves And She Loves
38. Love Is Sweeping The Country
39. Treat Me Rough
40. Love Is Here To Stay
41. Slap That Bass
42. Isn't It A Pity
43. Shall We Dance
44. Love Walked In
45. You've Got What Gets Me
46. They Can't Take That Away From Me
47. Embraceable You
48. I Can't Be Bothered Now
49. Boy What Love Has Done To Me
50. Fascinating Rhythm
51. Funny Face
52. Lorelei
53. Oh So Nice
54. Let's Kiss And Make Up
55. I Got Rhythm
56. Somebody Loves Me
57. Cheerful Little Earful

During the late '50s, Ella Fitzgerald continued her Song Book records with Sings the George and Ira Gershwin Song Book, featuring 57 songs written by George and Ira Gershwin. These songs are considered by many to be among Fitzgerald's very best.
Considered by many to be arguably the finest female jazz singer of all time (and she DOES have an incredibly smooth and soulful voice!!). That said….
WOW – what a incredibly LONG listen. Truly this is a case of too much of a good thing. Clocking in at a whopping 3 hours and 15 minutes this was a tough listen to a extreme novice jazz fan. As I only have select times of each day (to and from work) to actually LISTEN to each of these 1001 albums, (which is the point right? TO actually LISTEN to them), it took over a week to play the record.
Again – I loved her voice – and her interpretations are great – but by about track 25-30 I was really ready for this record to be over!! And I was only HALF WAY!!
So indeed – pretty long!
Her vocal deliveries are swinging, infectious, heartfelt and as a overview I would go so far as to say this is actually a great album – just overly long for the casual fan – and hard to really ‘connect’ with the music.
Recommended

ABSOLUTE ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR ROCKTOBER 29:
Denny Laine, formerly with the Moody Blues and Paul McCartney & Wings, is 64; Peter Green, formerly with Fleetwood Mac, is 62;

New Releases

UPCOMING ABSOLUTE ROCK NEW RELEASES:

Rocktober 28 - Queen and Paul Rodgers...The Cosmos Rocks; Jim Croce...Have You Heard Jim Croce Live (CD & DVD); The Byrds...Playlist:The Very Best of The Byrds; Jon Anderson...3 Ships; Thin Lizzy...UK Tour 75; Thin Lizzy...Live And Dangerous (DVD); Living Colour...Cbgb Omfug Masters: August 19 2005 the Bowery Coll; Bruce Springsteen...Dream Baby Dream (EP/LP); Bob Dylan...Inside Bob Dylan's Jesus Years: Busy Being Born... Again! (DVD); Lynyrd Skynyrd...Sweet Home Alabama: The Rockpalast Collection (DVD);
November 4 - Hinder...Take It To The Limit (CD/DVD Combo); Canned Heat...Boogie House Tapes, Vol. 3: Recorded Electrically;
November 11 - Stephen Stills...Just Roll Tape: April 26th,1968 (LP record); J.D. Souther...If The World Was You (LP record release); Justin Hayword & Friends...Sing Moody Blues Classics; Living Colour...The Paris Concert (DVD); Johnny Winter...Live Through The 70's (DVD); Pink Floyd - Meddle (DVD); Pink Floyd...Great Gig in the Sky: Album by Album Guide (DVD);
November 18 - Nickelback...Dark Horse;
November 25 - Linkin Park...Road To Revolution (CD/DVD); The Fireman...Electric Arguments;
December 9 - White Lion...La Nueva Kamada; Bob Dylan...Changing Tracks (DVD);
January 13 - Stevie Nicks...The Soundstage Sessions; Stevie Nicks...Live in Chicago (DVD);

ABSOLUTE ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR ROCKTOBER 27:
Garry Tallent from Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band is 59; K.K. Downing from Judas Priest is 57; Simon LeBon from Duran Duran is 50; Jason Finn from the Presidents of the United States of America is 41; Scott Weiland is 41;

Rocktober 25

ABSOLUTE ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR ROCKTOBER 25:
Jon Anderson from Yes is 64; Glenn Tipton from Judas Priest is 61; Matthias Jabs from the Scorpions is 52; Chad Smith from the Red Hot Chili Peppers is 46;

Rocktober 24

ABSOLUTE ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR ROCKTOBER 24:
Bill Wyman is 72; Ben Gillies from Silverchair is 29;

TOP 10 CD'S/DOWNLOADS FOR THIS WEEK

TOP 10 ABSOLUTE ROCK CD'S/DOWNLOADS FOR THIS WEEK:
1. METALLICA...Death Magnetic
2. KID ROCK...Rock 'N' Roll Jesus
3. BOB DYLAN... The Bootleg Series Vol. 8: Tell Tale Signs: Rare And Unreleased 1989-2006
4. SLIPKNOT...All Hope Is Gone
5. OASIS...Dig Out Your Soul
6. ROBERT PLANT/ALISON KRAUSS...Raising Sand
7. STAIND...The Illusion Of Progress
8. BUCKCHERRY...Black Butterfly
9. DISTURBED...Indestructible
10. SAVING ABEL...Saving Abel

ABSOLUTE ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR ROCKTOBER 23:
Robert Trujillo from Metallica is 44; Brian Nevin from Big Head Todd and the Monsters is 42; Eric Bass from Shinedown is 34;

ROCKTOBER 22

ABSOLUTE ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR ROCKTOBER 22:
Leslie West from Mountain is 63; Cris Kirkwood from the Meat Puppets is 48;

ROCKTOBER 21

ABSOLUTE ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR ROCKTOBER 21:
Manfred Mann is 68; Charlotte Caffey from The Go-Go's is 55; Steve Lukather from Toto is 51;

New Releases

UPCOMING ABSOLUTE ROCK NEW RELEASES:

Rocktober 21 - AC/DC...Black Ice; A Flock Of Seagulls...Space Age Love Songs (CD release); Paul Stanley...One Live KISS (DVD); Kiss...Kiss Ikons (Box Set);
Rocktober 28 - Queen and Paul Rodgers...The Cosmos Rocks; Jim Croce...Have You Heard Jim Croce Live; The Byrds...Playlist:The Very Best of The Byrds; Jon Anderson...3 Ships; Thin Lizzy...UK Tour 75; Thin Lizzy...Live And Dangerous (DVD);
November 4 - Hinder...Take It To The Limit; Canned Heat...Boogie House Tapes, Vol. 3: Recorded Electrically;
November 11 - Stephen Stills...Just Roll Tape: April 26th,1968 (LP record); J.D. Souther...If The World Was You (LP record release); Justin Hayword & Friends...Sing MNoody Blues Classics;
November 18 - Nickelback...Dark Horse;
November 25 - Linkin Park...Road To Revolution (CD/DVD); The Fireman...Electric Arguments;
December 9 - White Lion...La Nueva Kamada;

ABSOLUTE ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR ROCKTOBER 20;
Tom Petty is 58; Jim Sonefeld from Hootie And The Blowfish is 44; Doug Eldridge from Oleander is 41;

ROCKTOBER 19

ABSOLUTE ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR ROCKTOBER 19:
Karl Wallinger from World Party is 51; Todd Park Mohr from Big Head Todd and the Monsters is 43;

ROCKTOBER 18

ABSOLUTE ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR ROCKTOBER 18:
Chuck Berry is 82; Tim Cross from Sponge is 42;

1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die - #18. Sarah Vaughan - At Mister Kelly's (1958)

Sarah Vaughan - At Mister Kelly's (1958)

Track Listing

1. September In The Rain
2. Willow Weep For Me
3. Just One Of Those Things
4. Be Anything But Darling Be Mine
5. Thou Swell
6. Stairway To The Stars
7. Honeysuckle Rose
8. Just A Gigolo
9. How High The Moon
10. Dream
11. I'm Gonna Sit Right Down And Write Myself A Letter
12. It's Got To Be Love
13. Alone
14. If This Isn't Love
15. Embraceable You
16. Lucky In Love
17. Dancing In The Dark
18. Poor Butterfly
19. Sometimes I'm Happy
20. I Cover The Waterfront

Now this was a nice listen. This is what I had anticipated and had hoped for several albums ago with the Billie Holiday record. Smooth vocals, great arrangements and just a delight to listen to.
During the '50s, Sarah Vaughan spent most of her time recording songbook standards backed by large orchestras in huge arrangements, but on this night captured live at Mr Kelly’s in the heart of Chicago’s rush street café disctrict, she is backed by just a simple trio, and the recording finds her relaxed, and stretching out her vocals on a varied set list of late-night torch songs and ballads. The recording is great. The record I actually listened to was a 2001 re-release of the complete concert, and in this case, that is a good thing. It shows her playful side, messing up lyrics (even though the MC had told the audience prior to her taking the stage that Sarah would be using lyric sheets that night), not taking herself so serious, and having a great time performing. Her mood is infectious and even during the sad songs she sounds happy to be singing. Just a fine release and HIGHLY recommended.

ABSOLUTE ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR ROCKTOBER 17:
Sergio Andrade from Lifehouse is 31;

Top 10 CD's/Downloads

THIS WEEK'S TOP 10 ABSOLUTE ROCK CD'S/DOWNLOADS:
1. METALLICA...Death Magnetic
2. BOB DYLAN...The Bootleg Series Vol. 8: Tell Tale Signs: Rare And Unreleased 1989-2006
3. KID ROCK...Rock 'N' Roll Jesus
4. SLIPKNOT...All Hope Is Gone
5. PRETENDERS...Break Up The Concrete
6. TESLA...Forever More
7. BUCKCHERRY...Black Butterfly
8. STAIND...The Illusion of Progress
9. DISTURBED...Indestructible
10. JOURNEY...Revelation

ABSOLUTE ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR ROCKTOBER 16:
C.F. Turner from Bachman-Turner Overdrive is 65; Bob Weir is 61; Flea from the Red Hot Chili Peppers is 46; Chad Gray from Mudvayne is 37;

1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die - #17. Ramblin' Jack Elliott - Jack Takes the Floor (1958)

Ramblin' Jack Elliott - Jack Takes the Floor (1958)

Track Listing (standout tracks in bold)

1. San Francisco Bay Blues
2. Ol' Riley
3. The Boll Weevil
4. Bed Bug Blues
5. New York Town
6. Old Blue
7. Grey Goose
8. Mule Skinner Blues
9. East Texas Talking Blues
10. Cocaine
11. Dink's Song
12. Black Baby
13. Salty Dog

Ramblin' Jack Elliott is one of music's most influential people – yet many have never heard of him. He influenced everyone from Bob Dylan and Pete Seeger to the Rolling Stones and the Grateful Dead. (Elliott often performed opening sets for Jerry Garcia's solo bands and occasionally sat in with the Dead).
It’s apparent from the first few minutes of this record where Jack Elliott got the name ‘Ramblin’ from – as he sure can ramble!!!
This in essence could be a long lost Bob Dylan album – as the style and sound is the same. Bare recordings, not such great vocals, alone, with his guitar weaving stories for the listener. (in fact - Elliott joined Dylan's Rolling Thunder Revue and was featured in Dylan's film Renaldo and Clara.)
There is some yodeling which can get on the nerves at times, but there is no denying that Jack Elliott has style. Which made this a fun album to listen to. Recommended.

ABSOLUTE ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR ROCKTOBER 15:
Mark Reznicek from the Toadies is 46;

Rocktober 14

ABSOLUTE ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR ROCKTOBER 14:
Justin Hayward from The Moody Blues is 62; Thomas Dolby is 50;

1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die - #16. Billie Holiday - Lady In Satin (1958)

Billie Holiday - Lady In Satin (1958)

Track Listing (standout tracks in bold)

1. I'm a Fool to Want You
2. For Heaven's Sake
3. You Don't Know What Love Is
4. I Get Along Without You Very Well
5. For All We Know
6. Violets for Your Furs
7. You've Changed
8. It's Easy to Remember
9. But Beautiful
10. Glad to Be Unhappy
11. I'll Be Around

First off – as I have said in other reviews - I admit to be an extreme novice when it comes to jazz – so all of the jazz records I’ve been listening to have been a total learning experience for me. I knew very little about Billie Holiday, other than that the Diana Ross movie “Lady Sings The Blues” was loosely based on her Holiday’s life. I approached this record with some anticipation thinking this would be just a fantastic listen as I had always read where Billie Holliday was the voice all other jazz greats were compared too! I was severely disappointed.
I have since learned, that the hard life (including an 8 month prison run in 1947) and severe amount of drug usage had essentially left Billie’s voice completely shot by the time she recorded these sides. There is a unique bareness and honesty to the vocals – chock full of emotion, but her vocals are so bad it makes it very hard to listen to this album. I initially thought these were recordings of a 70-80 year old woman, and was surprised to read she was 43 when these were recorded! Her croaking voice is at times unbearable. Not surprisingly, she died just over a year after these recordings were released of heart and liver disease.
Not recommended.

New Releases

UPCOMING ABSOLUTE ROCK NEW RELEASES:

Rocktober 14 - Chris Isaak...Chris Isaak Christmas (DVD); B.B. King...Collector's Edition; Blackfoot...Live In Kentucky (DVD); Canned Heat...If You Can't Stand the Heat, Get out of the Kitchen: Live; The Byrds...The Byrds Slipcase (Box set); House Of Lords...Anthology; Fleetwood Mac...Blues Jam At Chess (LP release); Rick Wakeman...Classic Tracks; J.D. Souther...If The World Was You; Elton John...In Peformance (DVD); Red Hot Chili Peppers...The Red Hot Chili Peppers Phenomenon; (DVD): Yngwie Malmsteen...Perpetual Flame; Tommy Bolin...Savannah Woman: Demos and Jam Sessions (LP record release); Ratt...The Early Years (LP record);
Rocktober 21 - AC/DC...Black Ice; A Flock Of Seagulls...Space Age Love Songs (CD release); Paul Stanley...One Live KISS (DVD); Kiss...Kiss Ikons (Box Set);
Rocktober 28 - Queen and Paul Rodgers...The Cosmos Rocks; Jim Croce...Have You Heard Jim Croce Live; The Byrds...Playlist:The Very Best of The Byrds; Jon Anderson...3 Ships;
November 4 - Hinder...Take It To The Limit; Canned Heat...Boogie House Tapes, Vol. 3: Recorded Electrically;
November 11 - Stephen Stills...Just Roll Tape: April 26th,1968 (LP record); J.D. Souther...If The World Was You (LP record release);
November 18 - Nickelback...Dark Horse;
November 25 - Linkin Park...Road To Revolution (CD/DVD); The Fireman...Electric Arguments;
December 9 - White Lion...La Nueva Kamada;

ABSOLUTE ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR ROCKTOBER 13;
Paul Simon is 67; Sammy Hagar is 61; Joey Belladonna, formerly with Anthrax, is 48;

Rocktober 12

ABSOLUTE ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR ROCKTOBER 12:
Pat DiNizio from the Smithereens is 53;

Rocktober 11

ABSOLUTE ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR ROCKTOBER 11:
Scott Johnson from the Gin Blossoms is 46;

1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die - #15. Tito Puente - Dance Mania (1958)

Tito Puente - Dance Mania (1958)

Track Listing (standout tracks in bold)

1. El Cayuco
2. Complicación
3. 3-D Mambo
4. Llego Mijan
5. Cuando Te Vea
6. Hong Kong Mambo
7. Mambo Gozón
8. Mi Chiquita Quiere Bembe
9. Varsity Drag {Mambo)
10. Estoy Siempre Junto a Ti
11. Agua Limpia Todo
12. Saca Tu Mujer

Dance Mania as I read is probably Tito Puente's best-known album. This reminded me a lot of the Machito album I just listened to. Another collection of mambo, congo cha cha cha tracks. It’s fun enough, and I didn’t hate… but again – this kind of music is just not my thing and I found myself really glad when it ended. If you like conga, cha cha cha music – it would be recommended – if not – pass on this one.

ABSOLUTE ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR ROCKTOBER 10:
Midge Ure is 55; David Lee Roth is 54; Mike Malinin from the Goo Goo Dolls is 41;

1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die - #14. Little Richard - Here's Little Richard (1957)

Little Richard - Here's Little Richard

Track Listing (standout tracks in bold)

1. Tutti Frutti
2. True Fine Mama
3. Can't Believe You Wanna Leave
4. Ready Teddy
5. Baby
6. Slippin' And Slidin'
7. Long Tall Sally
8. Miss Ann
9. Oh Why
10. Rip It Up
11. Jenny Jenny
12. She's Got It

What an album. It’s basically Little Richard’s greatest hits! With the most absurd yet recognizable line in rock n roll history “A wop bop a loo mop a lomp bomp bomp" the album kicks off of the great singers (or wailer perhaps) in rock history. Every song on this album is a classic, and time has treated it well. “Tutti Frutti," "Rip It Up" and "Long Tall Sally" still sound as incredible today as they had to have when they hit the airwaves way back when. This along with the Elvis and Buddy Holly records reviewed earlier are rock and roll 101. Excellent stuff and highly recommended!!

ABSOLUTE ROCK TOP 10 CD'S/DOWNLOADS FOR THIS WEEK:
1. METALLICA...Death Magnetic
2. KID ROCK...Rock 'N' Roll Jesus
3. SLIPKNOT...All Hope Is Gone
4. GRATEFUL DEAD...Rocking The Cradle: Egypt 1978
5. BUCKCHERRY...Black Butterfly
6. JACKSON BROWNE...Time The Conqueror
7. STAIND...The Illusion Of Progress
8. JOURNEY...Revelation
9. DISTURBED...Indestructible
10. SAVING ABEL...Saving Abel

ABSOLUTE ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR ROCKTOBER 9:
Jackson Browne is 60; Sean Lennon is 33;

AC/DC – BLACK ICE ***1/2

Track listing (standout tracks in bold)
1. "Rock 'n Roll Train"
2. "Skies on Fire"
3. "Big Jack"
4. "Anything Goes"
5. "War Machine"
6. "Smash 'n' Grab"
7. "Spoilin' for a Fight"
8. "Wheels"
9. "Decibel"
10. "Stormy May Day"
11. "She Likes Rock 'n Roll"
12. "Money Made"
13. "Rock 'n' Roll Dream"
14. "Rocking All the Way"
15. "Black Ice"
Taking a break from the 1001 Albums project to review the new AC/DC album to be released on October 20 – exclusively in the US at Walmart!!
To begin with – this release can be looked at on two different levels. The first is the ‘why bother’ level. As in ‘why bother’ to have made this album. It breaks no new ground. It is power riffs and growling vocals. It’s the same album they have been releasing over and over since “Back In Black”. Let’s be honest – it didn’t take the 8 years between this and their last release to write and hone this work. A few bottles of Aussie whiskey and a few jam sessions were all they would need to write and record this album. Quite simply - it’s a new product to tour behind. One wonders how many of these new tracks will make it into the set list between the tracks the fans are there to hear. A nice career retrospective ‘greatest hits’ with the obligatory new track or 2 and an “anniversary tour” would have worked just as well.
All of that aside – that brings us to the next level to view the album. It’s not like they were going to change the formula or "sell out" - even if it's the same thing regurgitated over and over – this is what is expected of AC/DC. And on that level they deliver! There is a level of comfort when you put on a record of theirs. You know what your gonna get!! The Angus Young bad ass riffs ripple up and down your spine, the heavy thundering drums shake you all night long (sorry). The songs stomp and pound from one to the other. You can’t help but bang your head along. Isn’t that what music is all about anyway!! You just FEEL good jamming along with the tracks. Do you need to know the names of the songs? Do you need to be able to decipher the lyrics? No – this is feel the tingle in your crotch music. Primal to the bone. So yes, one might point to the predictable verse/chorus/verse/solo/verse structure of these songs, but that is, and always has been AC/DC at it’s core. Many bands have copied this formula – but AC/DC invented it – and they never realized you couldn’t copy the soul with it. All they do is make you long for the original. And here they are making you feel 16 again air guitar jamming in the bedroom of your parents house!

1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die - #13. Machito - Kenya (1957)

MACHITO - KENYA

Track Listing (standout tracks listed in bold

1. Wild Jungle
2. Congo Mulence
3. Kenya
4. Oyeme
5. Holiday
6. Cannonology
7. Frenzy
8. Blues A La Machito
9. Conversation
10. Tin Tin Deo
11. Minor Rama
12. Tururato

This would be the first time I have ever listened to a Afro-Cuban jazz album. While not something I see myself hurrying back to listen to – I did actually kinda enjoy it. The music on here reminds me of every dance/bar scenes in every 50’s movie I have ever seen. Not that that’s a bad thing – but is a nice analogy – as this is music that seems to fit nicely in the background. Not too flashy, solid beats and rhythms and you could dance to it if you are so inclined.
The arrangements are tight, full of percussion and horns, yet they are kinda cookie cutter music. One song does not really distinguish itself apart from another. Still – a ‘pleasant’ album to listen to so I would recommend it.

Rocktober 7

ABSOLUTE ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR ROCKTOBER 7:
Kevin Godley from 10cc is 63; John Mellencamp is 57; Ricky Phillips, who has been in the Baby's, Bad English, Coverdale-Page and currently with Styx, is 57; Tico Torres from Bon Jovi is 55; Charlie Marinkovich from Iron Butterfly is 49;

1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die - #12. Miles Davis - Birth of the Cool (1957)

MILES DAVIS – BIRTH OF COOL

Track Listing

1. Move
2. Jeru
3. Moon Dreams
4. Venus De Milo
5. Budo
6. Deception
7. Godchild
8. Boplicity
9. Rocker
10. Israel
11. Rouge
12. Darn That Dream

Recorded over three sessions in 1949-50 (but not released until 1957) these sessions are what are considered the birth of cool jazz. Hence the title ‘Birth of Cool’.
What a wonderful album. Relaxed, subdued, melodic, just a delight to listen to. The performances are top notch and the tracks flow with a sublime easiness about them. The songs are fairly short and to the point (which I like) and never wander into unfocused jams as jazz tends to do. The last track – ‘Darn The Dream’ is a vocal track which is just awful – so do yourself a favor and skip that one.
I read that upon it’s release that this album was highly panned by critics. Obviously time and hindsight have treated it well. Perhaps this isn’t the best album Miles Davis made (Kind of Blue comes to mind) but the ‘coolness’ of the music makes this highly recommended listening.

New Releases

UPCOMING ABSOLUTE ROCK NEW RELEASES:
Rocktober 7 - Bob Dylan...Tell Tale Signs: The Bootleg Series Vol. 8; Oasis...Dig Out Your Soul (CD/DVD); The Police...Certifiable (2 CD/2 DVD, blu-ray/2 CD or 3 LP's); Brian Setzer Orchestra...Ultimate Christmas Collection; Korn...Live On The Other Side (blu-ray); Gary Moore...Bad For You Baby; The Pretenders...Break Up The Concrete (CD release); Tesla...Forever More; Halford...Live at Rock in Rio III (DVD); The Clash...Live At Shea Stadium; Emerson, Lake And Palmer...Pictures at an Exhibition ;
Rocktober 14 - Chris Isaak...Chris Isaak Christmas (DVD); B.B. King...Collector's Edition; Blackfoot...Live In Kentucky (DVD); Canned Heat...If You Can't Stand the Heat, Get out of the Kitchen: Live; The Byrds...The Byrds Slipcase (Box set);
Rocktober 21 - AC/DC...Black Ice; A Flock Of Seagulls...Space Age Love Songs (CD release); Paul Stanley...One Live KISS (DVD); Kiss...Kiss Ikons (Box Set);
Rocktober 28 - Queen and Paul Rodgers...The Cosmos Rocks; Jim Croce...Have You Heard Jim Croce Live; The Byrds...Playlist:The Very Best of The Byrds;
November 4 - Hinder...Take It To The Limit; Canned Heat...Boogie House Tapes, Vol. 3: Recorded Electrically;
November 11 - Stephen Stills...Just Roll Tape: April 26th,1968 (LP record);
December 9 - White Lion...La Nueva Kamada;

ABSOLUTE ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR ROCKTOBER 6:
Kevin Cronin from REO Speedwagon is 57; David Hidalgo from Los Lobos is 54; Matthew Sweet is 44; Tommy Stinson, formerly with the Replacements, currently with Guns 'N' Roses, is 42;

Rocktober 5

ABSOLUTE ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR ROCTOBER 5:
Steve Miller is 65; Brian Johnson from AC/DC is 61; David Bryson from the Counting Crows is 54; Dave Dederer from the Presidents Of The United States Of America is 44;

1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die - #11. Sabu - Palo Congo (1957)

SABU – PALO CONGO

Track Listing ( standout tracks are listed in bold

1. El Cumbanchero
2. Billumba/Palo Congo
3. Choferita/Plena
4. Asabache
5. Simba
6. Rhapsodia Del Maravilloso
7. Aggo Elegua
8. Tribilin Cantore

Now this is something completely different. An album of African oriented congo music.. I really didn’t know what to expect when I started this one. Suprisingly it was pretty infectious and I REALLY did enjoy this album. Just a fun listen! Full of singing and chanting and actually kinda jazzy in places. Primal music at what I would consider to be it’s finest. (Not that I have heard anything like it other than in a Tarzan movie!!).
This was very different indeed. Perhaps after the torture of playing the Thelonious Monk – this was such a breath of fresh air with it’s primal drum melodies. Recommended!!

ABSOLUTE ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR ROCTOBER 3:
Lindsey Buckingham is 59; Tommy Lee is 46;

Nick Reynolds dies

Nick Reynolds, a founding member of the Kingston Trio who jump-started the revival folk scene of the late 1950s and paved the way for artists such as Bob Dylan and Joan Baez, has died. He was 75.

1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die #10 Thelonious Monk - Brilliant Corners (1957)

THELONIOUS MONK – BRILLIANT CORNERS

Track Listing (standout tracks listed in bold)

1. Brilliant Corners
2. Ba-Lue Bolivar Ba-Lues-Are
3. Pannonica
4. I Surrender, Dear
5. Bemsha Swing

Brilliant Corners is a TERRIBLE album. Seriously – I hate to give bad reviews to anything – but this album is just plain BAD. I could not wait for this record to be over. Perhaps you noticed that I did not list any tracks in bold as they are all so bad I wouldn’t recommend you play any of them – nor will I ever again.
The tracks are so long, and at times so ‘abstract’ there is no cohesion to them and you feel lost during the entire album.
I suppose on this one, I just don’t GET IT – as there are names here that are all ‘saintly’ in the jazz world – Thelonious himself, Max Roach, Sonny Rollins, etc.. so this is considered one of the best jazz albums ever! The alpha and omega of post-World War II American jazz.
But fresh off a listen to Count Basie – this just doesn’t compare to the way that lp’s music engages you!
Pass on this one…

ABSOLUTE ROCK TOP 10 CD'S/DOWNLOADS FOR THIS WEEK:
1. METALLICA...Death Magnetic
2. KID ROCK...Rock 'N' Roll Jesus
3. SLIPKNOT...All Hope Is Gone
4. JACKSON BROWNE...Time The Conqueror
5. BUCKCHERRY...Black Butterfly
6. DAVID GILMOUR...Live In Gdansk
7. STAIND...The Illusion Of Progress
8. DISTURBED...Indestructible
9. JOURNEY...Revelation
10. SAVING ABEL...Saving Abel

ABSOLUTE ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR ROCKTOBER 2:
Don McLean is 63; Mike Rutherford from Genesis and Mike + the Mechanics is 58; Sting is 57;

1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die - #9 Count Basie - The Atomic Mr. Basie (1957)

COUNT BASIE – THE ATOMIC MR BASIE

Track Listing (standout tracks in bold
1. Kid From Red Bank
2. Duet
3. After Supper
4. Flight Of The Foo Birds
5. Double O
6. Teddy The Toad
7. Whirly Bird
8. Midnite Blue
9. Splanky
10. Fantail
11. Li'l Darlin'

Now this is a jazz album I really liked. Perhaps maybe not considered as ‘daring’ as what Duke Ellington had done at Newport in 1956, but this is big-band at it’s finest.
As I knew nothing about him at all, I did some reading about Count Basie and the recording of this album and discovered that the release of this album in late 1957 actually marked the beginning of a new phase in Count Basie's career. A new record company and a new big band sound. Recorded over two days of sessions the music at the time caught Basie’s core audience by surprise with it’s big band sound.
To me “Splanky” is just jazz at it’s finest. I don’t claim to be a jazz expert in anyway – but this just sounds to me what jazz SHOULD sound like!! Foot tapping, dance music all the way.

ABSOLUTE ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR ROCKTOBER 1:
Kevin Griffin from Better Than Ezra is 40;