CHET BAKER SINGS

Original released on 10" LP Pacific Jazz PJLP-11 (US, April 1954)

and on 12" LP Pacific Jazz PJ-1222 (US, 1956)

As Gerald Heard's liner notes point out, it's difficult to decide whether Chet Baker was a trumpet player who sang or a singer who played trumpet. When the 24-year-old California-based trumpeter started his vocal career in 1954, his singing was revolutionary; as delicate and clear as his trumpet playing, with a similarly bright and vibrato-free tone, Baker simply didn't sound like any previous jazz singer. His first vocal session, recorded in February 1954 (8 tracks), is so innocent-sounding it's like cub reporter Jimmy Olsen had started a new career as a jazz singer. The album's remainng six tracks, recorded in July 1956, are even more milk and cookies, thanks in no small part to syrupy material like Frank Loesser's "I've Never Been in Love Before" and Donaldson/Kahn's drippy "My Buddy." Choices from the earlier session like "My Funny Valentine" - arguably the definitive version of this oft-recorded song - and "There Will Never Be Another You" work much, much better. The spacious musical setting, a simple trumpet and piano-bass-drums rhythm section, is perfect for Baker's low-key style. Despite the few faults of song selection, "Chet Baker Sings" is a classic of West Coast cool jazz. (Stewart Mason in AllMusic)

NILLA PIZZI: "Souvenir d'Italia" (1954 - 1961)

The Playlist Of NILLA PIZZI

PAST PERFECT: Italiano Americano

Back To The 50's - Rockin' & Rollin' 21

Back To The 50's - Rockin' & Rollin' 20

Back To The 50's - Rockin' & Rollin' 18

Back To The 50's - Rockin' & Rollin' 17

Back To The 50's - Rockin' & Rollin' 15

RAY CHARLES: "Rhythm & Blues"

Original released on LP Atlantic 8006

(US, 1957)

His first album contains a lot of hit singles from the previous years. At the piano he accompanies himself and plays short, bluesy solos and interludes. He's supported by brass, double bass and drums. His Jewish producer Jerry Wexler was a former journalist who invented the term rhythm 'n' blues to replace Billboard's "race music". Ray Charles' style would lead to the emergence of Southern soul in the next few years. "Sinner's Prayer" is a twelve bar blues, but many songs deviate from this basic schedule and contain chromatic progressions. Some of the songs have gospel elements like female backing vocals and religious content. The lyrics of "Losing Hand" are metaphorical for unrequited love, but they also evoke the atmosphere of smokey bars and illegal gambling joints in Southern cities. The A-side contains sorrowful songs about heartbreak with a midtempo swing, e.g. the deeply emotional "Drown in My Own Tears", which uses the typical double dominant chord. The B-side has a much happier mood, starting with the excited love song "Hallelujah I Love Her So". It's an uptempo swing with a touch of gospel and a sax solo. The next songs are jump blues, a style with jazzy brass that comes close to rock 'n' roll. "I Got a Woman" is his 1955 hit in this style. (in RateYourMusic)

Back To The 50's - Rockin' & Rollin' 12

Back To The 50's - Rockin' & Rollin' 8

Back To The 50's - Rockin' & Rollin' 6

Back To The 50's - Rockin' & Rollin' 4

Back To The 50's - Rockin' & Rollin' 3

Back To The 50's - Rockin' & Rollin' 1

Les 3 Premiers LPs de GEORGES BRASSENS

Édition originale en LP 10" Polydor 530.011

(FRANCE, Décembre 1952)

Édition originale en LP 10" Polydor 530.024

(FRANCE, Décembre 1953)

Édition originale en LP 10" Polydor 530.033

(FRANCE, Décembre 1954)