When I am traveling it really feels good to hear some good music. I especially, enjoy the American dusties being played in other countries. When I am able to speak to the proprietor or vendor and discuss the tune, on how well that tune did in their country. Thanks to Robert Fontenot, for reminding me of the top 10 tunes of 1961! Roy Orbison, Crying b/w Candy Man Monument 45-447 (31 July 1961) recorded June 1961, Nashville, TN Very possibly the finest two minutes and forty-six seconds from rocks most wonderfully incomprehensible force of nature. Like the best ballads from the Big O, it works itself up slowly and unnoticeably to a frenzy of high romantic drama without ever becoming histrionic -- or succumbing to a standard pop structure. The very fact that this is Roys most painful mini-opera gives it a fair claim on being his best. 2. Ben E. King, Stand By Me ATCO 6194 (April 1961) b/w On the Horizon recorded 27 October 1960, New York, NY This, possibly the high-water mark of early-Sixties New York soul, became a smash twice, just like Chubby Checkers The Twist -- although Bens version hit again a full twenty-five years later, and for obviously different reasons. A stunning tribute to the power of fidelity and loyalty, one that pits the entire world against our lovers. Quite a popular motif then, and one that may have hinted at things to come. 3. Ray Charles, Hit The Road Jack ABC-Paramount 10244 (August 1961) b/w The Danger Zone recorded 5 July 1961, New York, NY No, it wasnt written the way it was depicted in Ray -- but results are what count. Those who say the Genius went completely soft when he jumped to ABC overlook the alternately furious and comic duet between Ray and his Raelette of choice on this brief but powerful stomper. Smooth yet raw, as is Brother Rays way, and wrapped around a descending chord figure that instantly became part of the pop lexicon. 4. Del Shannon, Runaway BigTop 3067 (6 March 1961) b/w Jody recorded 21 January 1961, New York, NY When Dels pianist came up with the opening figure on this smash, he knew something was up, and wrote the song around it that night. That keyboardist -- Max Crook by name -- also came up with rocks most famous organ solo on demand, although the instrument in question is actually a custom-made oddity dubbed a musitron. But its Shannons typically dark and lonely tale of regret that brings the whole thing together. 5. Shep and the Limelites, Daddys Home Hull 740 (27 March 1961) b/w This I Know recorded 1 February 1961, New York, NY James Shep Sheppard may be the only person in rock and roll history to answer his own song under a completely different name: this gorgeously tender slice of prime doo-wop is effectively a sequel to A Thousand Miles Away, which had hit previously for Sheps old group, the Heartbeats. The songs are similar in many respects, but the extra experience helped make this one more memorable in the minds of many fans. 6. Gary U.S. Bonds, Quarter To Three Legrand 1008 (May 1961) b/w Time Ole Story recorded March 1961, Norfolk, VA Depending on whom you ask, the Norfolk Sound that graced most of Garys singles was either a wall of sound that rocked or a cacophonous mess. Whatever it was, it never hit harder than on this record, which borrowed a gospel backup bands instrumental raveup and placed Bonds perfectly-suited voice above the fray. Many oldies work well at parties, but few sound like a party captured on vinyl. This 45 was just that. 7. The Shirelles, Will You Love Me Tomorrow Scepter 1211 (November 1960) b/w Boys recorded September 1960, New York, NY The girl-group genre wasnt exactly born with this song, but it established early the sound, feel, and subject of the form. And with Carole King behind the pen, it couldnt miss. But these lyrics couldnt have come from any man, anyway, not given their almost risque exploration of the dating ritual from the distaff side. Romantic on the surface, which is why it endures, but also gently radical in its point of view. 8. The Tokens, The Lion Sleeps Tonight RCA Victor 47-7954 (September 1961) b/w Tina recorded 21 July 1961, New York, NY One of the stranger anomalies in rock history, Lion began life as a spontaneous recorded outburst by a Zulu tribesman, morphed into a misinterpreted folk smash, found its way to a Noo Yawk doo-wop group, and eventually wound up in the hands of the Sam Cooke producing duo known as Hugo and Luigi, who added tympani, silly woodwinds, and an opera singer. You have to hear it to believe it. But you already have. 9. Ricky Nelson, Travelin Man b/w Hello Mary Lou Imperial 5741 (April 1961) recorded February 1961, Hollywood, CA The years best two-sided bargain found this teen idol hitting his early stride with help from the Jordanaires and the guitar of James Burton, a legend in hiw own right. One song is about giving your heart to lots of women, the other about losing it to just one, but Rickys personality and talent, thoroughly underrated commodities both, pulled all the elements together. A commercial and artistic peak for rockabillys poppier side. 10. Ernie K-Doe, Mother-in-Law Minit 623 (27 March 1961) b/w Wanted, $10,000.00 Reward recorded January 1961, New Orleans, LA The biggest hit and best friend New Orleans R&B ever had. While a novelty of sorts, it, like most other Crescent City classics, feels deadly serious about its silliness. Allen Toussaints satire is more clever than anything found on other 61 singles, but its K-Doe gently boinin all over the expert backing that gives it heart. A gentle poke, not a cruel joke, even if Satan SHOULD be her name. Wishing all of you a memorable music travel experience!!
Posted on: Wed, 23 Oct 2013 10:17:36 +0000
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