The 1950s sit a little outside my musical wheelhouse, but producing the Best 1,000 Albums Ever project brought me to some absolute gems from the decade.
The ‘50s were a pivot point in music: the golden age of postwar jazz, the birth of rock n’ roll, and voices like Billie Holiday and Sarah Vaughan turning raw emotion into timeless art.
On this list you’ll find Charles Mingus’s Mingus Ah Um swinging hard, Miles Davis’s Kind of Blue changing the game, Thelonious Monk in full late-night glory, and Billie Holiday breaking your heart on Lady in Satin. You’ll also hear the rise of Ritchie Valens and Elvis Presley, the jump and swing of Count Basie, the smooth doo-wop of The Coasters, and the vibraphone shimmer of Milt Jackson alongside Monk and friends.
Charles Mingus – Mingus Ah Um (#254 of best 1,000 albums ever)
On the Road, The Talented Mr. Ripley, ‘50s jazz, and a brilliant, engaging, and swinging album.
Miles Davis – Kind of Blue (#264)
Wherein we take the journey through the three phases that led to Kind of Blue.
Thelonious Monk – Genius of Modern Music Vol. 1(#737)
Perfect jazz listening ‘round midnight – and into the wee hours, too.
Billie Holiday – Lady in Satin (#742)
Beautiful and heart-wrenching.
Sarah Vaughan – After Hours (#753)
Transportive as though to be whisked back to a very specific scene and mood and vibe in 1955.
Ritchie Valens – Ritchie Valens(#773)
Simply classic late 1950s rock n’ roll and simply great. Come on, let’s go.
Elvis Presley – Elvis Presley (#828)
It’ll make you want to adorn yourself with footwear of a particular color and material and… go cat go!
Count Basie – The Atomic Mr. Basie(#934)
When I think about what I want out of lively, jumping jazz from the 1950s, this album answers the call.
The Coasters – The Coasters(#976)
Smooth, sexy, doo wop-y, rocking late 1950s vibes that project energy and fun.
Milt Jackson & Thelonious Monk Quintet – Milt Jackson with John Lewis, Percy Heath, Kenny Clarke, Lou Donaldson and the Thelonious Monk Quintet (#982)
Exquisite 1950s-era New York City jazz replete with vibraphone tidings and jazz lounge vibes.