Best of all: those legends just starting or getting their shit in order. Beatles with PB helping tony sheridan have a life, dylan probably in Manhattan already, plus the beach boys first single and other (pretty useless, to be fair) tracks. Chuck berry + other early rockers were around yet kinda just wasting time. Great summary once again!
Lovely article. Paraphrasing the main character in Hi Fidelity "making a great compilation playlist is hard" so here's to you, I compiled your choices. More than a share of surprises for me and delightful details (Pre Beatles it all seems like a blur, music you love but you hardly pay attention to the story behind, and it does matter).
- Wanda Jackson: what a rocker!
- Aretha was already Aretha, she'd only go higher and higher. Same for Tina, her voice tone was shocking, not sure I listened to much of her early stuff.
- I Want A Guy => There's A Place WOT. Definitely!
Elvis had some cool hits this year, true, doesn't tell the real story about his album output. In fact I included His Latest Flame in the playlist, what a banger that little song. But Little Sister is unexpectedly strong at this stage. Also added Runaway and Runaround Sue because well they're two of my favourite songs ever.
PS: That "Music For Pleasure" label.. so that's where The Damned got their second album title huh :)
I did not include Runaway and Runaround Sue because they remain way too well-known, but obviously they belong on any proper list of the best songs from 1961, as would also the Shirelles' 'Mama Said' and James Brown's 'I Don't Mind'.
A nice and intriguing analysis., as all his observations. I really hope George finds the time to write the ultimate 'History of Rock 'Roll' . With his sociological/anthropological visions he 's the only one who is able to do that.
Must say I'm deriving a lot of pleasure and entertainment fron the reviews. And have kept coming back for nearly 20 years now. Would probably never got the joy of listening to Ruth Brown, Brenda Lee or Wanda Jackson, certainly at this juncture in my life, if it wasn't for these reviews. Loving the new version of the site here on substack. That Chantels song is gorgeous. I can tell my girlfriend and I will be singing some of these songs around the house for the next few autumnal weeks. I hope you keep up the riveting work, George. You're the man! Looking forward to 1962.
I think, it was quite a good year, especially if we compare it with our times. Nothing wrong with “Bobbies”, by the way — especialy with Bobby Darin (and Bobby Vee, though he was just a regular good singer, performed various amazing King/Goffin songs, that became instant classics).
However, I think that the main rock hero of the year was Del Shannon, for sure. The last of the true rock and roll heroes, and “Runaway” would be my song of the year. Other things worth mentioning would be “Johnny Remember Me” (one of the greatest Joe Meek-produced British tunes), The Shadows’ “Shadoogie”, Gene Pitney’s overblown and grandiose “Town Without Pity” (written by Tyomkin!), Little Richard’s gospel material (something like “It’s Real”), some great Ricky Nelson hits, the rockiest tune of all year “Jack the Ripper” by Link Wray, and plenty of lovely instrumentals, from continental Europe as well (The Spotnicks’ Theme by The Spotnicks from Sweden, anyone?).
And also I must thank you for choosing “Mint Julep” instead of “Unchain My Heart” on your list! I always disliked the song, because it sounds too… Jewish, or something like this. I’m not antisemitic at all, but if you’ll listen various Sonny & Cher stuff, for example, you'll understand what I mean, never liked those “Eastern Europe restaurant” harmonies. And “I Can’t Stop Loving You”, btw, is way better in Roy’s version, IMHO.
Best of all: those legends just starting or getting their shit in order. Beatles with PB helping tony sheridan have a life, dylan probably in Manhattan already, plus the beach boys first single and other (pretty useless, to be fair) tracks. Chuck berry + other early rockers were around yet kinda just wasting time. Great summary once again!
Lovely article. Paraphrasing the main character in Hi Fidelity "making a great compilation playlist is hard" so here's to you, I compiled your choices. More than a share of surprises for me and delightful details (Pre Beatles it all seems like a blur, music you love but you hardly pay attention to the story behind, and it does matter).
- Wanda Jackson: what a rocker!
- Aretha was already Aretha, she'd only go higher and higher. Same for Tina, her voice tone was shocking, not sure I listened to much of her early stuff.
- I Want A Guy => There's A Place WOT. Definitely!
Elvis had some cool hits this year, true, doesn't tell the real story about his album output. In fact I included His Latest Flame in the playlist, what a banger that little song. But Little Sister is unexpectedly strong at this stage. Also added Runaway and Runaround Sue because well they're two of my favourite songs ever.
PS: That "Music For Pleasure" label.. so that's where The Damned got their second album title huh :)
Playlist:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4gDknu_zXaUlkN6KZQXZR12cDyH_VzZv&si=sY-U0dIVOyjfQlIT
Glad to serve, Charlie.
I did not include Runaway and Runaround Sue because they remain way too well-known, but obviously they belong on any proper list of the best songs from 1961, as would also the Shirelles' 'Mama Said' and James Brown's 'I Don't Mind'.
A nice and intriguing analysis., as all his observations. I really hope George finds the time to write the ultimate 'History of Rock 'Roll' . With his sociological/anthropological visions he 's the only one who is able to do that.
Must say I'm deriving a lot of pleasure and entertainment fron the reviews. And have kept coming back for nearly 20 years now. Would probably never got the joy of listening to Ruth Brown, Brenda Lee or Wanda Jackson, certainly at this juncture in my life, if it wasn't for these reviews. Loving the new version of the site here on substack. That Chantels song is gorgeous. I can tell my girlfriend and I will be singing some of these songs around the house for the next few autumnal weeks. I hope you keep up the riveting work, George. You're the man! Looking forward to 1962.
I think, it was quite a good year, especially if we compare it with our times. Nothing wrong with “Bobbies”, by the way — especialy with Bobby Darin (and Bobby Vee, though he was just a regular good singer, performed various amazing King/Goffin songs, that became instant classics).
However, I think that the main rock hero of the year was Del Shannon, for sure. The last of the true rock and roll heroes, and “Runaway” would be my song of the year. Other things worth mentioning would be “Johnny Remember Me” (one of the greatest Joe Meek-produced British tunes), The Shadows’ “Shadoogie”, Gene Pitney’s overblown and grandiose “Town Without Pity” (written by Tyomkin!), Little Richard’s gospel material (something like “It’s Real”), some great Ricky Nelson hits, the rockiest tune of all year “Jack the Ripper” by Link Wray, and plenty of lovely instrumentals, from continental Europe as well (The Spotnicks’ Theme by The Spotnicks from Sweden, anyone?).
And also I must thank you for choosing “Mint Julep” instead of “Unchain My Heart” on your list! I always disliked the song, because it sounds too… Jewish, or something like this. I’m not antisemitic at all, but if you’ll listen various Sonny & Cher stuff, for example, you'll understand what I mean, never liked those “Eastern Europe restaurant” harmonies. And “I Can’t Stop Loving You”, btw, is way better in Roy’s version, IMHO.