On October 28, 2022, Jerry Lee Lewis died aged 87. He was musician (piano), singer and songwriter, nicknamed “the Killer”, He was a pioneer of rock and roll and rockabilly music, described as “Rock and roll’s first great wild man and one of the most influential pianists of the 20th century. Lewis won four “Grammy Awards”, including a “Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award” and two “Grammy Hall of Fame Awards”. He was inducted into the “Rock and Roll Hall of Fame”, the “Rockabilly Hall of Fame”, “Memphis Music Hall of Fame” and “Country Music Hall of Fame”. In 2003, “Rolling Stone” magazine ranked his box set “All Killer, No Filler: The Anthology”, at number 242 on its list of the “500 Greatest Albums of All Time”, in 2004, the same magazine ranked him at number 24 of its list of the “100 Greatest Artists of All Time”. A movie about his life, “Great Balls of Fire”, was released in 1989, starring Dennis Quaid. As leader, Lewis released 40 studio and 8 live albums.
Tag Archives: 500 greatest albums of all time
Elliot Smith: Either/Or
On February 25, 1997, “Kill Rock Stars” label released “Either/Or”, the third Elliot Smith studio album. It was recorded in 1996, and was produced by Elliot Smith, Tom Rothrock and Rob Schnapf. In 2013, “NME” magazine ranked Either/Or at number 149 on its list of the “500 Greatest Albums of All Time”, and in 2020, “Rolling Stone” magazine ranked the album at number 216 on its list of the “500 Greatest Albums of All Time”.
Personnel:
- Elliott Smith – vocals, all instruments, mixing
- Larry Crane – recording
- Joanna Bolme – mixing, back cover photography
- Rob Schnapf – mixing
- Tom Rothrock – mixing
- Don C. Tyler – mastering
- Neil Gust – sleeve layout
- Debbie Pastor – front cover photography
Track listing
All tracks by Elliott Smith.
- Speed Trials
- Alameda
- Ballad of Big Nothing
- Between the Bars
- Pictures of Me
- No Name No.5
- Rose Parade
- Punch and Judy
- Angeles
- Cupid’s Trick
- 2.45 AM
- Say Yes
Nina Simone: Wild is the Wind
In September 1966, “Phillips” label released “Wild Is the Wind”, the sixth Nina Simone studio album. It was recorded 1964 – 1965, in New York City, and was produced by Hal Mooney. In 2020, it was ranked 212 on “Rolling Stone’s” list of the “500 Greatest Albums of All Time”.
Personnel:
- Nina Simone – vocals, piano, arranger
- Horace Ott – arranger
- Sid Mark – liner notes
- I Love Your Lovin’ Ways – Bennie Benjamin, Sol Marcus
- Four Woman – Nina Simone
- What More Can I Say – Horace Ott, Wade Brown Jr.
- Lilac Wine – James Shelton
- That’s All I Ask – Horace Ott
- Break Down and Let It All Out – Van McCoy
- Why keep On Breaking My Heart – Bennie Benjamin, Sol Marcus
- Wild is the Wind – Dimitri Tiomkin, Ned Washington
- Black Is the Color of My True Love’s Hair – traditional
- If I Should Lose You – Ralph Rainger, Leo Robin
- Either Way I Lose – Van McCoy
Little Richard: Here’s Little Richard
On March 4, 1957, “Specialty” label released “Here’s Little Richard”, the debut Little Richard album. It was recorded September 1955 – October 1956. In 2003, “Rolling Stone” magazine ranked the album at number 50 on its list of the “500 Greatest Albums of All Time”, and ranked the track “Tutti Frutti” at number 43 on its list of the “500 Greatest Songs of All Time”.
Personnel:
- Little Richard (Richard Penniman) – vocals, piano
- Edgar Blanchard – guitar
- Frank Fields – bass
- Earl Palmer – drums
- Lee Allen – tenor saxophone
- Alvin “Red” Tyler – baritone saxophone
- Huey Smith – piano
- Justin Adams – guitar
- William “Frosty” Pyles – guitar
- Roy Montrell – guitar
- Nathaniel Douglas – guitar
- Lloyd Lambert – bass
- Olsie Richard Robinson – bass
- Oscar Moore – drums
- Charles Connor – drums
- Renald Richard – trumpet
- Clarence Ford – tenor and baritone saxophone
- Wilbert Smith – tenor saxophone
- Grady Gaines – tenor saxophone
- Joe Tillman – tenor saxophone
- Clifford Burks – tenor saxophone
- Jewell Grant – baritone saxohone
Track listing:
- Tutti Frutti – Richard Penniman, Dorothy LaBostrie, Joe Lubin
- True, Fine Mama – Richard Penniman
- Can’t Believe You Wanna Leave – Leo Price
- Ready Teddy – Robert Blackwell, John Marascalco
- Baby – Richard Penniman
- Slippin’ and Slidin’ – Richard Penniman, Eddie Bocage, Al Collins, James Smith
- Long Tall Sally – Enotris Johnson, Robert Blackwell, Richard Penniman
- Miss Ann – Richard Penniman, Enotris Johnson
- Oh Why? – Winfield Scott
- Rip It Up – Robert Blackwell, John Marascalco
- Jenny, Jenny – Enotris Johnson, Richard Penniman
- She’s Got It – John Marascalco, Richard Penniman
On January 30, 1964.
On January 30, 1964, “Chess Records” label released “Folk Singer”, the fourth Muddy Waters studio album. It was recorded in September 1963, at “Tel Mar Recording” in Chicago, Illinois, and was produced by Ralph Bass and Willie Dixon. In 2003, “Rolling Stone” magazine ranked “Folk Singer” at number 280 on its list of the “500 Greatest Albums of All Time”.
Personnel:
- Muddy Waters – vocals, guitar
- Buddy Guy – guitar
- Sammy Lawhorn – guitar
- James Madison – guitar
- Otis Spann – harmonica, piano
- Willie Dixon – bass
- Milton Rector – bass
- J.T. Brown – clarinet, tenor saxophone
- Francis Clay – drums
- Clifton James – drums
- S.P. Leary – drums
- Ron Malo – engineer
- Vartan – art direction
- Bob Schnieders – coordinator, liner notes
- Mary Katherine Aldin – liner notes
- Don Bronstein – cover design, photography
- Jim Marshall – photography
Track listing:
All tracks by Muddy Waters, except where noted.
- My Home Is in the Delta
- Long Distance
- My Captain – Willie Dixon
- Good Morning Little Schoolgirl – Sonny Boy Williamson
- You Gonna Need My Help
- Cold Weather Blues
- Big Leg Woman – John Temple
- Country Boy
- Feel Like Going Home
On July 27, 1993.
On July 27, 1993, “Virgin” label released “Siamese Dream”, the second Smashing Pumpkins studio album. It was recorded December 1992 – March 1993, at “Triclops Sound Studios” in Marietta, Georgia, and was produced by Butch Vig and Billy Corgan. In 2003, “Rolling Stone” magazine ranked it number 362 on its list of the “500 Greatest Albums of All Time”. The album was certified 4 x Platinum in Canada by “CRIA”, and 4 x Platinum in US by “RIAA”.
Personnel:
- Billy Corgan– lead vocals, lead guitar, bass guitar, Mellotron, string arrangements, mixing
- James Iha– rhythm guitar, backing vocals
- D’arcy Wretzky– bass guitar, backing vocals
- Jimmy Chamberlin– drums
- Mike Mills– piano
- Eric Remschneider– string arrangements, cello
- David Ragsdale– string arrangements, violin
- Butch Vig– engineering, mixing, string arrangements
- Jeff Tomei – engineering
- Tim Holbrook – special technical engineering
- Alan Moulder– mixing
- Howie Weinberg– mastering
- Len Peltier – sleeve art direction
- Steve J. Gerdes – sleeve design
- Melodie McDaniel – sleeve photography
Track listing:
All tracks by Billy Corgan, except where noted.
- Cherub Rock
- Quiet
- Today
- Hummer
- Rocket
- Disarm
- Soma – Billy Corgan, James Iha
- Geek U.S.A
- Mayonaise – Billy Corgan, James Iha
- Spacebot
- Silverfuck
- Sweet Sweet
- Luna
In April 1962.
In April 1962, “ABC-Paramount” label released “Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music”, the 19th Ray Charles album. It was recorded in February 1962, at “Capitol Studios” in New York City and “United Recording Studios” in Hollywood, and was produced by Sid Feller, Ray Charles and Joe Adams. In 1999, the album was inducted into the “Grammy Hall of Fame”. In 2001, the album track “I Can’t Stop Loving You” was inducted into the “Grammy Hall of Fame”. in 2001, the album was cited by “The Recording Academy” as a recording of “historical significance. “I Can’t Stop Loving You” was ranked number 49 on “Country Music Television’s” list of the “100 Greatest Songs of Country Music” In 2001, “VH1” channel listed the album in its list of “The 100 Greatest Albums of R ‘N’ R”. In 2003, “Rolling Stone” magazine ranked the album at number 104 on its list of the “500 Greatest Albums of All Time”.
Personnel:
- Ray Charles– vocals, piano
- Hank Crawford– alto saxophone
- Gil Fuller, Gerald Wilson– big band arrangements
- Marty Paich– string arrangements
- Todd Everett – liner notes
- Bill Inglot, Ken Perry – remastering
- Michael Ochs Archives, Hugh Bell – photography
- Bill Putnam, Gene Thompson, Johnny Cue.Bob Arnold, Frank Abbey – engineering
Track listing:
- Bye Bye Love – Boudleaux Bryant, Felice Bryant
- You Don’t Know Me – Eddy Arnold, Cindy Walker
- Half As Much – Curley Williams
- I Love You So Much It Hurts – Floyd Tillman
- Just a Little Lovin’ (Will Go a Long Way) – Eddy Arnold, Zeke Clements
- Born To Lose – Frankie Brown, (Ted Daffan)
- Worried Mind – Ted Daffan, Jimmie Davis
- It Makes No Difference Now – Floyd Tillman, Jimmie Davis
- You Win Again – Hank Williams
- Careless Love – traditional, arranged by Ray Charles
- I Can’t Stop Loving You – Don Gibson
- Hey, Good Lookin’ – Hank Williams
In March 1966.
In March 1966, “Dunhill” label released “If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears”, the debut Mamas & the Papas album. It was recorded 1965 – 1966, and was produce by Lou Adler. In 2003, “Rolling Stone” magazine ranked it at number 127 on its list of the “500 Greatest Albums of All Time”.
Personnel:
- Denny Doherty– vocals
- Cass Elliot– vocals
- John Phillips– vocals, guitar
- Michelle Phillips– vocals
- F. Sloan– guitars, additional vocals
- Larry Knechtel- keyboards
- Hal Blaine– drums
- Joe Osborn– bass guitar
- Bud Shank– flute
- Peter Pilafian – electric violin
- Bones Howe– engineer
- Guy Webster – photography
Track listing:
- Monday, Monday – John Phillips
- Straight Shooter – John Phillips
- Got a Feelin’ – John Phillips, Denny Doherty
- I Call Your Name – John Lennon, Paul McCartney
- Do You Wanna Dance – Bobby Freeman
- Go Where You Wanna Go – John Phillips
- California Dreamin’ – John Phillips, Michelle Phillips
- Spanish Harlem – Jerry Leiber, Phil Spector
- Somebody Groovy – John Phillips
- Hey Girl – John Phillips, Michelle Phillips
- You Baby – Steve Barri, F. Sloan
- The ‘In’ Crowd – Billy Page
Curtis Mayfield
On December 26, 1999, Curtis Lee Mayfield died aged 57. He was musician (guitar, keyboards, piano), singer, songwriter and record producer, regarded as one of the most influential musicians and composers in soul and politically conscious African-American music. Mayfield started the career in a gospel choir, gained wide recognition as member and main composer of The Impressions, and later had a successful solo career. “Rolling Stone” magazine ranked his 1965 song “People Get Ready” at number 24 on its list of the “500 Greatest Songs of All Time”. The same song was also included in the “Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll”, and in 1998 was inducted into the “Grammy Hall of Fame”. His album with the soundtrack for the 1972 movie “Super Fly” was ranked at number 72 on “Rolling Stone’s” list of “500 Greatest Albums of All Time”. In 1994, Mayfield won a “Grammy Legend Award” in and a “Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award” in 1995. In 1991, he was inductee into the “Rock and Roll Hall of Fame” as a member of the Impressions, and in 1999 as a solo artist.
In November 1976.
In November 1976, “Asylum” label released “The Pretender”, the fourth Jackson Browne studio album. It was recorded in 1976, at “The Sound Factory” in Hollywood, and was produced by Jon Landau. The album was ranked at number 391 on “Rolling Stone” magazine’s list of the “500 Greatest Albums of All Time”.
Personnel:
- Jackson Browne– vocals, acoustic guitar, piano, photography
- John Hall, Albert Lee, Fred Tackett, Waddy Wachtel– acoustic and electric guitars
- Luis Damian – acoustic guitar, harmony vocals
- Lowell George– slide guitar, harmony vocals
- Roberto Gutierrez – guitarron, violin, backing vocals
- David Lindley– fiddle, lap steel guitar
- Roy Bittan, Craig Doerge, Bill Payne, Michael Utley– keyboards
- Bob Glaub, Chuck Rainey, Leland Sklar– bass
- Jim Gordon, Russ Kunkel, Jeff Porcaro– drums
- Gary Coleman – percussion
- Arthur Gerst – harp, backing vocals, musical arrangements
- Chuck Findley– trumpet
- Richard Hyde– trombone
- Jim Horn, Quitman Dennis – saxophones
- Rosemary Butler, David Crosby, Don Henley, Graham Nash, Bonnie Raitt, D. Souther– harmony vocals
- John Haeny, Mark Howlett, Greg Ladanyi – engineers
- Paul Black – assistant engineer
- Val Garay, Greg Ladanyi – mixing
- Dennis Kirk – mixing assistant
- Bernie Grundman – mastering
- John Haeny – recorder
- David Campbell, Arthur Gerst, Jim Horn – arrangers
- David Campbell – string arrangements
- Paul Black, Dennis Kirk – assistants
- Gary Burden – art direction, design
- Howard Burke – photography
- Tom Kelley – cover photography
- Jon Landau – notes editing
Track listing:
All tracks by Jackson Browne except where noted.
- The Fuse
- Your Bright Baby Blues
- Linda Paloma
- Here Come Those Tears Again – Jackson Browne, Nancy Farnsworth
- The Only Child
- Daddy’s Tune
- Sleep’s Dark and Silent Gate
- The Pretender
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