Recently I posted a thought about Buddy Holly and in the responses that followed there was a reference to listening to Apple/Spotify year by year pop hits. So I began a fun project of listening to two plus hours of the hits from 1955, 56, etc.

It’s been the most purely enjoyable listening I have done for a long time. I am frequently reminded of Dave Marsh’s premise in “Heart of Rock and Soul” that the album as statement does not suit this music and even goes as far to say that he regrets the primacy of the album even in his own work ( RS Record Guide). It’s been fascinating to see which singers pop their heads above the rest; not surprisingly ( or maybe it is) Elvis, Everly Brothers ( Cryin’ in the Rain just on now) , Dion and absolutely Sam Cooke. The Drifters keep making me turn my head and smile. The ones who did surprise me were Patsy Cline and Connie Francis – having never deliberately played either and never having given Connie Francis a first thought let alone a second one. If a song irritates, no problem, another will be along in two » Continue Reading.