Long Shot's Top 15 Albums of 1954
Second verse, same as the first. The LP is on the cusp of really coming into its own as an art form at this point, with jazz in particular benefiting from some really terrific releases. Also note the increasing prominence of Latin music, both in a more traditional form and merged with jazz/African traits. (I promise there will be more interesting anecdotes/write-ups in future lists, but I'm sort of trying to catch up to where I actually am in the deep dive, so we'll have to make do for now, eh?) |
| 1 |  | Clifford Brown and Max Roach
Clifford Brown and Max Roach
4.6
Probably the gold standard of ensemble playing until the first classic Miles Davis lineup started recording. Brown and Roach are standouts here, but they don't dominate the record so much as contribute to an overall ensemble feel that is nigh untouchable.
Track pick: "Delilah" |
| 2 |  | Thelonious Monk
Thelonious Monk Trio
4.4
Why, oh why, do so many sleep on this man when rattling off the list of all-time jazz greats? Maybe he wasn't as innovative as Parker and Davis, but damn if his music isn't equally as enjoyable, and arguably more so at this stage.
Track pick: "Monk's Dream" |
| 3 |  | Dizzy Gillespie
Afro
4.2
One of be-bop's architects takes a swing at Afro-Cuban jazz, and boy, does he do a mighty fine job with it.
Track pick: "Caravan" |
| 4 |  | Lester Young
With The Oscar Peterson Trio
4.1
Absurdly good saxophone playing with a great backing band to keep things in order.
Track pick: "Ad Lib Blues" |
| 5 |  | Chet Baker
Chet Baker Sings
4.0
Never an excellent example of technical brilliance, but the innocence and youth in Baker's delivery sells it, differentiating him from the more mature crooners of his day.
Track pick: "My Funny Valentine" |
| 6 |  | Frank Sinatra
Songs for Young Lovers
4.0
The album that returned Sinatra to relevance, and one that set the stage for his landmark In the Wee Small Hours the following year. Already the difference between Sinatra's Columbia records and his new output is very stark.
Track pick: "A Foggy Day" |
| 7 |  | Dorival Caymmi
Cancoes praieiras
3.9
Brazilian samba music set for voice and guitar. Couldn't be lovelier.
Track pick: "O mar" |
| 8 |  | Sarah Vaughan
Sarah Vaughan
3.8
A remarkably under-appreciated singer whose name should be far more widely known.
Track pick: "Lullaby of Birdland" |
| 9 |  | Louis Armstrong
Plays W.C. Handy
3.8
Perhaps the best Dixieland album of all-time, and certainly a sign that Armstrong's relevance in the 1950s was not solely due to his cheesing in films with Bing Crosby.
Track pick: "St. Louis Blues" |
| 10 |  | Art Blakey
A Night At Birdland Vol. 1
3.8
Blakey knew how to put together a strong ensemble from the beginning, and this star-studded lineup (featuring Clifford Brown and Horace Silver) shines in this live recording.
Track pick: "Split Kick" |
| 11 |  | Frantz Casseus
Haitian Dances
3.7
Track pick: "Lullaby" |
| 12 |  | Frank Sinatra
Swing Easy!
3.6
Track pick: "Just One of Those Things" |
| 13 |  | Bud Powell
The Amazing Bud Powell, Vol. 2
3.5
Track pick: "Autumn in New York" |
| 14 |  | Art Blakey
A Night At Birdland Vol. 2
3.5
Track pick: "A Night in Tunisia" |
| 15 |  | June Christy
Something Cool
3.5
Track pick: "Something Cool" |
|
