{"id":172459,"date":"2024-06-21T15:23:40","date_gmt":"2024-06-21T15:23:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/culture.org\/?p=172459"},"modified":"2024-06-21T15:26:23","modified_gmt":"2024-06-21T15:26:23","slug":"1950s-albums","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/culture.org\/art-and-culture\/music\/1950s-albums\/","title":{"rendered":"Top 10 Most Influential and Best-Rated 1950s Music Albums: A Decade of Musical Innovation"},"content":{"rendered":"

The 1950s were a key time for music, with big changes happening. This decade saw the move from big band and swing to the rise of rock and roll<\/a>, new styles of jazz, and amazing singers.<\/p>\n

Here are the highest-rated albums from this influential era, showing the rich and varied music scene that still continues to influence artists to this day.<\/p>\n \r\n\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n

\r\n Key Takeaways<\/span>\r\n
    \r\n
  • The 1950s introduced new jazz styles with albums like \"Kind of Blue\" by Miles Davis and \"Time Out\" by The Dave Brubeck Quartet.<\/li>\r\n
  • This decade saw the rise of rock and roll, led by artists like Elvis Presley and Little Richard.<\/li>\r\n
  • Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald left a lasting legacy with their timeless vocal performances.<\/li>\r\n <\/ul>\r\n <\/div>\r\n \n

    10 Best Albums from the 1950s<\/h2>\n

    1. Kind of Blue \u2013 Miles Davis (1959)<\/h3>\n

    Kind of Blue<\/i> is widely regarded as one of the greatest jazz albums of all time<\/b>.<\/p>\n

    Released in 1959, this masterpiece features legendary musicians such as John Coltrane, Bill Evans, and Cannonball Adderley.<\/p>\n

    The album is known for its innovative approach to modal jazz, which emphasizes scales rather than chord progressions.<\/p>\n

    Tracks like “So What” <\/b>and “Freddie Freeloader”<\/b> showcase Davis\u2019s genius in creating music that is both complex and accessible.<\/p>\n

    2. Mingus Ah Um \u2013 Charles Mingus (1959)<\/h3>\n

    Charles Mingus’s Mingus Ah Um<\/i> is a brilliant example of his eclectic and powerful approach to jazz composition.<\/p>\n

    This 1959 album includes classics like “Goodbye Pork Pie Hat” <\/b>and “Better Git It in Your Soul.”<\/b><\/p>\n

    Mingus combines elements of gospel, blues, and classical music, creating a dynamic and emotionally charged sound<\/b> that has influenced countless musicians.<\/p>\n

    3. Time Out \u2013 The Dave Brubeck Quartet (1959)<\/h3>\n

    Time Out<\/i> by The Dave Brubeck Quartet is famous for its innovative use of unusual time signatures<\/b>.<\/p>\n

    Released in 1959, the album features the iconic track “Take Five,” composed by saxophonist Paul Desmond.<\/p>\n

    The album\u2019s exploration of different rhythms and a blend of cool jazz and West Coast jazz elements make it a standout in jazz history.<\/p>\n

    4. Blue Train \u2013 John Coltrane (1957)<\/h3>\n

    John Coltrane’s Blue Train<\/i> is a cornerstone of hard bop jazz<\/b>. Released in 1957, the album features a stellar lineup, including Lee Morgan, Curtis Fuller, and Kenny Drew.<\/p>\n

    The title track, “Blue Train,”<\/b> is a jazz standard, showcasing Coltrane’s powerful tenor saxophone and his ability to blend complex harmonies with soulful melodies.<\/p>\n

    5. Elvis Presley \u2013 Elvis Presley (1956)<\/h3>\n

    Elvis Presley\u2019s self-titled debut album, released in 1956, is a landmark in rock and roll history<\/b>. It includes hits like “Blue Suede Shoes<\/b>” and “Tutti Frutti<\/b>.”<\/p>\n

    The album captures Elvis’s raw energy and charisma, setting the stage for his future as the King of Rock and Roll.<\/p>\n

    His blend of rock, blues, and country music created a new sound that captivated audiences worldwide.<\/p>\n

    6. In the Wee Small Hours \u2013 Frank Sinatra (1955)<\/h3>\n

    Frank Sinatra\u2019s In the Wee Small Hours<\/i> is often hailed as one of the first concept albums<\/b>.<\/p>\n

    Released in 1955, it features a collection of melancholic songs that explore themes of loneliness and heartache.<\/p>\n

    Tracks like “Mood Indigo<\/b>” and the title song “In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning<\/b>” showcase Sinatra\u2019s impeccable vocal delivery and emotional depth.<\/p>\n

    7. Here\u2019s Little Richard \u2013 Little Richard (1957)<\/h3>\n

    Here\u2019s Little Richard<\/i> is the debut album by one of rock and roll\u2019s pioneers<\/b>, Little Richard.<\/p>\n

    Released in 1957, the album includes energetic tracks like “Long Tall Sally<\/b>” and “Tutti Frutti<\/b>.”<\/p>\n

    Little Richard\u2019s flamboyant style, powerful voice, and infectious energy helped shape the sound of rock and roll and influenced generations of musicians.<\/p>\n

    8. The Shape of Jazz to Come \u2013 Ornette Coleman (1959)<\/h3>\n

    Ornette Coleman’s The Shape of Jazz to Come<\/i> is a groundbreaking album that challenged jazz conventions<\/b>.<\/p>\n

    Released in 1959, it features compositions that abandon traditional chord changes in favor of freer, more spontaneous improvisation.<\/p>\n

    Tracks like “Lonely Woman<\/b>” and “Congeniality<\/b>” highlight Coleman’s innovative approach and significant impact on the avant-garde jazz movement.<\/p>\n

    9. Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers \u2013 Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers (1958)<\/h3>\n

    This self-titled album by Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers, released in 1958, is a quintessential hard bop record<\/b>.<\/p>\n

    The album features iconic musicians like Lee Morgan, Benny Golson, and Bobby Timmons and includes timeless tracks such as “Moanin<\/b>\u2019” and “Blues March<\/b>.”<\/p>\n

    Blakey\u2019s powerful drumming and the group\u2019s cohesive sound made this album a cornerstone of modern jazz.<\/p>\n

    10. Ella and Louis \u2013 Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong (1956)<\/h3>\n

    Ella and Louis<\/i> is a charming collaboration between two jazz legends, Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong<\/b>.<\/p>\n

    Released in 1956, the album features delightful duets and solo performances on standards like “Cheek to Cheek<\/b>” and “They Can\u2019t Take That Away from Me<\/b>.”<\/p>\n

    The chemistry between Fitzgerald\u2019s smooth vocals and Armstrong\u2019s gravelly voice and trumpet perfectly creates a timeless listening experience.<\/p>\n

    The Music Scene in the 1950s<\/h2>\n

    Jazz Changes<\/h3>\n

    The 1950s were great for jazz, with artists exploring new styles. Albums like Kind of Blue<\/i><\/b> and <\/b>Time Out <\/i><\/b>brought fresh ideas to jazz music.<\/b><\/p>\n

    Hard bop, mixing blues and gospel with jazz, became popular with albums like Blue Train<\/i>.<\/p>\n

    Start of Rock and Roll<\/h3>\n

    Rock and roll started in the 1950s. Elvis Presley\u2019s first album mixed rhythm and blues with country music<\/b>, attracting many fans.<\/p>\n

    Little Richard\u2019s energetic style in Here\u2019s Little Richard<\/i> also influenced many future rock stars.<\/p>\n

    Famous Singers<\/h3>\n

    The 1950s were also known for great vocalists like Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald<\/b>.<\/p>\n

    Sinatra\u2019s In the Wee Small Hours<\/i> and the album Ella and Louis<\/i> with Louis Armstrong are still revered today for their emotional and musical quality.<\/p>\n

    Explore the Best of 1950s Music!<\/h2>\n

    The 1950s were a time of significant changes and creativity in music. Embark on a journey through time and enjoy the new jazz sounds from Miles Davis and Charles Mingus and the start of rock and roll with Elvis Presley and Little Richard.<\/p>\n

    Famous singers like Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald also made a significant impact during this period.<\/p>\n

    Listen to the classic albums from these singers to hear the music that shaped the era and still inspires musicians and fans today.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":10026,"featured_media":172468,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[398],"tags":[3860],"class_list":["post-172459","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-music","tag-best-albums-in-history"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/culture.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/172459"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/culture.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/culture.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/culture.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10026"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/culture.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=172459"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/culture.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/172459\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/culture.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/172468"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/culture.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=172459"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/culture.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=172459"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/culture.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=172459"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}