Category Archives: Uncategorized

     Today we explore an intense and historically significant album, “Live at the Apollo” by James Brown, recorded one night in late 1962 at the epicenter of black music in America, the Apollo Theater in Harlem, New York.  This album is the 65th rated album of all time by Rolling Stone’s Top 500 Greatest AlbumsContinue reading “James Brown “Live at the Apollo” (1963)”

     It took approximately 40 days to get here, but we have just reached the next major milestone.  John… Paul… George… and Ringo.  In early 1963, the Beatles released their debut album, “Please Please Me”, named following one of two lead singles on the album.  Building on many of the sounds we have enjoyed soContinue reading “The Beatles “Please Please Me” (1963)”

     Another big step forward into the 1960s today with the debut album of the Beach Boys, another lifelong favorite of mine.  Truly a family affair, the Beach Boys featured brothers Brian, Carl and Dennis Wilson, along with cousin Mike Love and friends Al Jardine and David Marks.  The band was even managed by MurrayContinue reading “The Beach Boys “Surfin’ Safari” (1962)”

     For the first time today, I felt as we were truly beginning to open the door into the decade that became the 1960s.  Today’s album was the debut performance of folk-rock legend and songwriter Bob Dylan.  Although his fame and success ultimately were built upon the quality and quantity of original songs, this initialContinue reading “Bob Dylan “Bob Dylan” (1962)”

     Today is one of those days where I had to make an edit to my list after the year had started.  As I was working through my mental Mount Rushmore of early rock and roll legends, it occurred to me that Roy Orbison had somehow slipped through all of the various criteria I hadContinue reading “Roy Orbison “The Monument Singles Collection” (1962)”

     With all of the blues founding fathers I have covered during these first ~ 40 days, I couldn’t complete the cycle without including Willie Dixon.  Dixon was actually one of the most productive songwriters of the blues emergence of the 1950s and 1960s, he just didn’t have quite the same vocal prowess or performanceContinue reading “Willie Dixon “I Am The Blues” (1962)”

     In 1962, even as the rock and roll era was regrouping and other sounds like folk and jazz were gaining in popularity, musical theater and its expanding audience through cinematic releases, still reigned supreme on the charts.  The number one selling album for 1962 AND 1963 was the soundtrack to West Side Story.  UnlikeContinue reading “Original Soundtrack “West Side Story” (1962)”

     Today’s album is not only a great collection of performances, it represents another significant effort in the world of music to break down racial barriers and historical silos.  As such, the meaning of this album outweighs the music itself, which is a strong statement when the artist in question is Ray Charles.  In 1962,Continue reading “Ray Charles “Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music” (1962)”

     Not many artists are as singularly identified with a single song as Etta James is with the title track from today’s album, “At Last”.  This timeless ballad of romantic redemption has been the soundtrack to more movie scenes and varied playlists than I can count, and the album it is featured on is theContinue reading “Etta James “At Last” (1961)”

     Immersed in 1961, America and the world around it was beginning to change.  The Kennedys had replaced the Eisenhowers in the White House.  The surge of rock and roll in the late 1950s had lost a bit of momentum, and while blues, jazz and country all evolved significantly within their given niches, popular musicContinue reading “Original Broadway Cast “Camelot” (1961)”