By Josephine Lisa Buckley

2024 is here at last. I know I’ve been quite inconsistent with my writing in the last few weeks of 2023, but I’m finally back, and I’ve set myself a goal for 2024.

My goal for this year is to listen to one new album a day. That’s 366 new albums, since 2024 is a leap year. The rules are simple: it cannot be an album I have already listened to, and it cannot be a live album, compilation album, or an EP. It can, however, be an album from a band I’ve already listened to, but just haven’t listened to that respective album.

Also, my blog posts will no longer be released on a Friday. From now on, I aim to release new posts on Monday and Sunday. The post on Monday will be me reviewing the seven albums I chose to listen to throughout the week. Sunday’s will be about whatever I feel like writing.

My primary goal is to explore genres that I wouldn’t otherwise spend much time listening to, such as country, hip hop, and jazz. I do like these genres and listen to them sometimes, but not all too often. I’m hoping to change that with this challenge and expand my taste in music. I will have rock music be a part of this challenge, but not to a huge extent.

The Band – Music From Big Pink (1968)

January 1

The first album I’ve chosen for January 1st is Music From Big Pink by The Band. Readers of my blog will know that I’m already a fan of The Band through their association with Bob Dylan (and Roger Waters.) However, the only Band album I’ve actually heard before is their self-titled. Recorded in the famed Big Pink house in New York, also the recording studio of the legendary Basement Tapes, Music From Big Pink is The Band’s first studio album.

My first impressions of this album? I really enjoyed it. I’m sure the majority of classic rock fans have heard the song The Weight before, so I won’t really focus on it much in this review. All I will say is that it’s earned its place as a rock classic. Also featured on this album are new renditions of songs that The Band had previously recorded during The Basement Tapes sessions with Bob Dylan a year prior, namely Tears of Rage, This Wheel’s on Fire, and I Shall Be Released. I never cared much for Bob Dylan’s version of I Shall Be Released, but The Band really blew this one out of the water. Richard Manuel’s delicate falsetto seems to fit this song like a glove.

The album also opens with three strong Manuel lead vocals back to back: the aforementioned Tears of Rage as well as To Kingdom Come (performed as a duet with guitarist Robbie Robertson) and In a Station. The Rick Danko sang Caledonia Mission and, of course, The Weight, complete side one of this album.

Notable highlights from side two are a cover of Long Black Veil, sung by Danko, and the track Lonesome Suzie, sung by Manuel. Of course, the highlights also include the final two Dylan covers of the album, This Wheel’s on Fire and I Shall Be Released. Overall, I find side one of this album to be better, although I love the entire album.

In conclusion, I enjoyed this album. I’ve only heard The Band’s two most famous albums so far (this one and their self-titled) and I’m already having trouble deciding which album of theirs is my favourite. I look forward to completing their discography.

Overall rating: 10/10

Favourite track: The Weight

Frank Sinatra – In the Wee Small Hours (1955)

January 2

One of Sinatra’s most famous albums, In the Wee Small Hours is actually a work of genius. Despite Sinatra not writing a single song on here alone (he has a songwriting co-credit on just one track), he manages to wove it all together into one of music’s first concept albums. The concept of the album is a fairly simple one, dealing with failed relationships, something Sinatra was coping with at the time the album was recorded.

In the Wee Small Hours does not contain my favourite Sinatra work, but it’s overall a very strong and cohesive album. The main highlights for me are In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning, Last Night When We Were Young, and This Love of Mine. Sinatra’s vocals are, obviously, as powerful as ever, with his deep, low baritone voice suiting the songs well, and his backing band certainly deserves some credit.

In conclusion, not my favourite Sinatra work, but a great listen. Might just need to give it time to grow on me, of course.

Overall rating: 8/10

Favourite track: This Love of Mine

Willie Nelson – Stardust (1978)

January 3

Stardust was a bold move from Willie Nelson. This one is entirely covers of traditional jazz-pop songs, akin to the style of Frank Sinatra. This album was also released at a point where this style of music had faded from popularity almost 20 years prior.

Though, admittedly, I actually do really like this album. At 36 minutes, it’s a shorter album, although this isn’t necessarily an issue. Nelson is a great singer (especially considering he was 44 when this album was recorded) and his voice works well with the material he’s chosen to record. I was immediately swayed by Georgia on My Mind, which I can already tell I’m going to be streaming the hell out of in the future, as well as Unchained Melody and September Song.

I can’t really name highlights from this one because, overall, the entire album is great. A lot of non-“crooner” artists who record similar albums all suffer the same fate of having the record sound monotonous and a bit same-old-same-old. Nelson did not fall into this habit and I can actually distinguish each song from one another.

Overall rating: 10/10

Favourite track: Georgia on My Mind

Amy Winehouse – Back to Black (2006)

January 4

Yep, that’s right… if you can believe it, I’ve never actually listened to this album before, even if I’ve been meaning to for literally years now. After one classic rock album and two crooner albums, I was feeling like a bit of a switch-up. I almost referred to this one as a “modern album” since it’s hard for me to believe that 2006 was 18 years ago now.

Despite being recorded between 2005 and 2006, if you placed Back to Black with a handful of soul albums from the 70s, I don’t think anyone would be able to notice that it was an odd one out. Back to Black is a powerful album with songs like the title track, Rehab, and Love is a Losing Game really standing out to me. The album was almost entirely written by Winehouse herself, with a couple co-writers joining in on a few tracks.

The only thing I can say is that I really regret not listening to this album sooner. I really see what I’ve been missing out on for years.

Overall rating: 10/10

Favourite track: Back to Black

Aaliyah – Age Ain’t Nothing But a Number (1994)

January 5

Aaliyah is without a doubt one of the most tragic figures in music. In 2001, she was killed in a plane crash at the age of just 22. Despite only being 15 when she recorded her appropriately titled debut album Age Ain’t Nothing But a Number, Aaliyah is regarded as one of the greatest artists of the 1990s and has been called the “Queen of Urban Pop.”

Age Ain’t Nothing But A Number is one of the most interesting albums I’ve ever heard. It’s a unique blend of hip hop, soul, pop, and R&B. It’s even more impressive given that, again, she was only fifteen when this album was released. The album’s varying genres and influences don’t feel out of place or jarring, either.

Overall, Age Ain’t Nothing But a Number is one I’d recommend. It truly has become one of my favourite albums.

Overall rating: 10/10

Favourite track: Back & Forth

Miles Davis – Kind of Blue (1959)

January 6

Again, yes. I truly have never listened to this album before. It’s been on my “listen to later” list for years and I only this week got around to finally listening to it for the first time. I don’t mind jazz, but I’ve never really been a big listener of it, so I guess it just kind of slipped my mind.

However, I can say that the album 100% was worth both the wait and the hype. Written entirely by Miles Davis with a little help from Bill Evans, Kind of Blue is a consistent album that feels short compared to its actual runtime, even despite the lengths of the individual compositions (only one, Blue in Green, is shorter than nine minutes.) At only five tracks, each one is a pleasure to listen to. So What was so impactful that a literal chord, the “So What chord”, was named after it. Freddie Freeloader might be even better and manages to keep you engaged for its entire almost ten minute run time.

However, my favourite Kind of Blue track is the closing composition, Flamenco Sketches. This one is a pure joy to listen to and one that I can see myself returning to often. Kind of Blue, overall, deserves its title as one of the greatest jazz albums. Despite being credited to Miles Davis, every single member of his ensemble shines and adds something to the work.

Overall rating: 10/10

Favourite track: Flamenco Sketches

Bud Powell – The Amazing Bud Powell (1952)

January 7

The oldest album of the week at 72 years old, The Amazing Bud Powell is considered one of the most influential jazz albums in history, and for good reason. The opening track, Un Poco Loco, is far and away my favourite composition from this one. Not only does it sound amazing with its energetic delivery, but it’s also composition-wise a really interesting piece with its use of Lydian chords, intricate polytonality, and its improvisation. The only real weak spot of this album for me is Over the Rainbow. Yes, that Over the Rainbow that was featured in The Wizard of Oz. Bud Powell performs it in an instrumental form, like the rest of the album, but I just don’t really find it as interesting as the other tracks.

Ornithology is a quick one but still fairly fun to listen to. However, the album picks back up again with Wail and A Night in Tunisia. Also included are instrumental performances of two traditional pop standards, It Could Happen To You and You Go to My Head. I love both of these songs in any form, no complaints here. The album ends with its second greatest track, Bouncing With Bud, another highly energetic and fun composition.

Overall, The Amazing Bud Powell is a short but fun album, and definitely one that’s earned its place in jazz history. This was my first time listening to Bud Powell and I’ll definitely be sticking around.

Overall rating: 9/10

Favourite track: Un Poco Loco

Conclusion

Overall, I’m very much looking forward to the rest of this challenge. In case it wasn’t obvious enough from me starting a music blog, music is one of my focal interests. Exploring new music is one of my biggest hobbies and the past week, I’ve been waking up looking forward to choosing a new album to listen to. If you have any suggestions for new albums I might like, please feel free to share them either in the comments or by contacting me. Similarly, do not hesitate to contact me if you have any criticisms, feedbacks, or complaints about the website.