1961- It was a year not all too different than 1960.  A year whose best music was often made by sixties holdovers.  The creators of soul music, Ray Charles, Sam Cooke, James Brown, were still in full swing and releasing some of their very best stuff.  Bo Diddley, the Everly Brothers, the Coasters & Fats Domino were at the tail end of their most relevant musical period but each of them managed at least one great song in ’61.  The underrated Ricky Nelson had a great year and Elvis, back from the army had a stable of huge hits.  Though it wasn’t one of their most prolific years, the Drifters managed a few great lesser known songs.  Hank Ballard & the Midnighters, one of the raunchiest groups at the time, managed some great tracks as well.  Chuck Berry was on his way to prison but was able to keep recording during his trials and released his last great songs before a three year prison stint.

Bobby Bland can get credit for being both a soul man and a blues man and though he had been around since the late fifties, he probably had his best year in 1961 with the release of his soul/blues classic album “Two Steps from the Blues”.  Freddie King was the other bluesman on fire in ’61 releasing his debut album “Freddie King Sings” which contains his signature song “Hide Away”.  Vets Howlin’ Wolf and Jimmy Reed both had multiple hits and Slim Harpo, Little Junior Parker & Albert King were also factors.  In the jazz world the Phil Upchurch Combo had a huge hit with “You Can’t Sit Down”, which ended up crossing over and being covered for the pop & r&b charts.  John Coltrane released his monumental “My Favorite Things” as well as “Thelonius Monk with John Coltrane”, a collaboration with the legendary pianist.  Ornette Coleman continued to push the boundaries of the genre with his self-explanatory “Free Jazz” album.  Pianist Bill Evans, a year after his contributions to the great Miles Davis album “Sketches of Spain”, released his most well-known album “Waltz for Debby”.  The amazing blues/jazz singer Nina Simone, still relatively unknown at the time, continued releasing albums on the Colpix label, adding to her already impressive body of work.  Bobby Darin, just a year or two off of releasing the one two punch of “Beyond the Sea” and “Mack the Knife”, released the underrated song “Lazy River”.

There was a new type of pop singer emerging in the early 60’s as well- the heart on your sleeve, almost overly-emotional operatic crooners.  But these were singers rooting it rock or country & western, rather than jazz or swing.  Roy Orbison, who had huge hits with “Crying” and “Running Scared” in ’61 among others may have been the best of the lot.  But Gene Pitney, Del Shannon & Dion were nearly as great.  All had enormously beautiful voices and sung songs that asked you for pity- the early 60’s version of Emo.  The early 60’s was also the beginning of the girl group sound that would begin to dominate the American charts for the next few years, both before and during the British Invasion explosion.  The Shirelles had a few great tracks in ’61, along with the Crystals first single- produced by Phil Spector, and the Paris Sisters.  Connie Francis, another sixties holdover was still going strong.  Motown Records, still in its infancy, had their first #1 hit with the Marvelettes “Please Mr. Postman”.  Smokey Robinson had 1 hit in ’61 as well, but other than them the best northern soul of ’61 was happening outside of Motown with Chicago groups & singers like the Impressions, who scored their first hit with “Gypsy Woman”, Etta James with her signature song and wedding staple “At Last”, the Iceman Jerry Butler.  Atlantic Records star Lavern Baker released one of her last great songs with “Saved” and former Drifters singer Ben E. King, had a string of hits including his biggest “Stand By Me”.

1961 was a great year for southern soul, which would soon be known as Carolina beach music.  Great songs by William Bell, the Mar-Keys, Solomon Burke, Ike & Tina Tunrer, Carla Thomas and the New Orleans stable of Lee Dorsey, Robert Parker, the Showmen, Ernie K. Doe & Barbara George all say airplay.  Doo-Wop, a music that was both present before the birth of rock n’ roll and helped form it was back with a vengeance.  So much that the early 60’s is known to have given birth to a full-on Doo-Wop revival period.  Most of the groups were one hit wonders, or at least only place one song on the charts in 1961.  The Edsels, Barry Mann, Curtis Lee, the Capris, Dovells, Jarmels, Regents, Chantels, Halos, Earls, Stereos, Tokens, Velvets, Little Caesar & the Romans, Shep & the Limelites, Blue Jays, Cleftones, Jive Five, Quotations, Dreamlovers, Sevilles & Capris all came out with one great song.  Out of all of those groups only the Regents & Tokens had multiple songs hit the charts in ’61.

In the country music world Patsy Cline was the dominant artist, having massive hits with two of her most enduring songs “I Fall to Pieces” and Crazy”.  Buck Owens, Marty Robbins, Johnny Cash, George Jones, Faron Young and a then unknown singer-songwriter named Willie Nelson all contributed great songs in 1961 as well.

’61 was an in between year for sure- post early rock n’ roll era, but pre-Beatles and the Phil Spector girl group & Motown sounds were still in there infancies. But check out the list of songs below on these mixes- there is a lot to like.

JONN COLTRANE- MY FAVORITE THINGS

Buy My Favorite Things – John Coltrane
Buy My Favorite Things Amazon

ORNETTE COLEMAN- FREE JAZZ

Buy Free Jazz – Ornette Coleman
Buy Free JazzAmazon

BOBBY BLAND- TWO STEPS FROM THE BLUES    *I don’t actually own this album but do have over half of its tracks

Buy Two Steps from the Blues (Bonus Tracks) – Bobby “Blue” Bland
Buy Two Steps From The BluesAmazon

BILL EVANS- WALTZ FOR DEBBY

Buy Waltz for Debby (Remastered) [Live] – Bill Evans Trio
Buy Waltz For Debby [Original Jazz Classics Remasters]Amazon

THELONIUS MONK WITH JONN COLTRANE- THELONIUS MONK WITH JOHN COLTRANE

Buy Thelonious Monk With John Coltrane (Remastered) – John Coltrane & Thelonious Monk
Buy Thelonious Monk With John ColtraneAmazon

Best of 1961 Volume 1 (10/3/02)

1.  Dick Dale & His Del-Tones- Let’s Go Trippin’

Buy Let’s Go Trippin’ – Greatest Hits 1961-1976

Buy Let’s Go Trippin’ (Single Version) Amazon

2.  James Brown- Night Train

Buy Night Train – Star Time

Buy Night TrainAmazon

3.  The Mar-Keys- Last Night

Buy Last Night (Single) – The Last Night!

Buy Last Night (Single/LP Version)Amazon

4.  Gary U.S. Bonds- Quarter to Three

Buy Quarter to Three – The Very Best of Gary U.S. Bonds

Buy Quarter To ThreeAmazon

5.  Chuck Berry- Come On

Buy Come On – Chuck Berry: The Anthology

Buy Come OnAmazon

6.  Dion- The Wanderer

Buy The Wanderer – Runaround Sue

Buy The WandererAmazon

7.  Bobby Bland- Turn On Your Lovelight

Buy Turn On Your Love Light (Stereo) – Bobby Blue Band: Greatest Hits, Vol. 1 – The Duke Recordings

Buy Turn On Your Love LightAmazon

8.  The Edsels- Rama Lama Ding Dong

Buy Rama Lama Ding Dong (Original Version 1958) – The Rama Lama Ding Dong – EP

Buy Rama Lama Ding DongAmazon

9.  Barry Mann- Who Put the Bomp

Buy Who Put The Bomp? – Who Put The Bomp In The Bomp-Bomp-Bomp

Buy Who Put the Bomp Amazon

10.  The Marcels- Blue Moon

Buy Blue Moon – Doo Wop Classics, Vol. 1

Buy Blue MoonAmazon

11.  Curtis Lee- Pretty Little Angel Eyes

Buy Pretty Little Angel Eyes – Pretty Little Angel Eyes – The Best Of

Buy Pretty Little Angel EyesAmazon

12.  The Crystals- There’s No Other Like My Baby

Buy There’s No Other Like My Baby – The Phil Spector Collection

Buy There’s No Other Like My BabyAmazon

13.  Gene Pitney- Every Breath I Take

Buy Every Breath I Take – Gene Pitney: Greatest Hits of All Time

Buy Every Breath I TakeAmazon

14.  Roy Orbison- Crying

Buy Crying – 16 Biggest Hits: Roy Orbison

Buy CryingAmazon

15.  Solomon Burke- Just Out of Reach (Of My Two Open Arms)

Buy Just Out of Reach (Of My Two Empty Arms) – The Very Best of Solomon Burke

Buy Just Out Of Reach [Of My Two Empty Arms]Amazon

16.  Chuck Jackson- I Don’t Want to Cry

Buy I Don’t Want to Cry – The Scepter Records Story, Vol. 1

Buy I Don’t Want To Cry Amazon

17.  Ray Charles- Hit the Road Jack

Buy Hit the Road Jack – Genius – The Ultimate Ray Charles Collection

Buy Hit The Road JackAmazon

18.  The Impressions- Gypsy Woman

Buy Gypsy Woman – Ultimate Collection: The Impressions

Buy Gypsy WomanAmazon

19.  Del Shannon- Runaway

Buy Runaway – Little Town Flirt

Buy RunawayAmazon

20.  Ricky Nelson- Travelin’ Man

Buy Travelin’ Man – Greatest Hits (Remastered)

Buy Travelin’ Man (2005 Digital Remaster)Amazon

21.  Freddie King- Hide Away

Buy Hideaway – Blues Masters: Freddie King

Buy Hide AwayAmazon

22.  Jimmy Reed- Bright Lights, Big City

Buy Bright Lights, Big City – The Very Best of Jimmy Reed

Buy Bright Lights, Big CityAmazon

23.  The Marvelettes- Please Mr. Postman

Buy Please Mr. Postman (Single Version) – Motown 1’s

Buy Please Mr. PostmanAmazon

24.  Elvis Presley- Little Sister

Buy Little Sister – The Essential Elvis Presley (Remastered)

Buy Little Sister (New Sound Remastered)Amazon

25.  Sam Cooke- Cupid

Buy Cupid – 30 Greatest Hits – Sam Cooke Portrait of a Legend 1951-1964 (Remastered)

Buy CupidAmazon

26.  Patsy Cline- Crazy

Buy Crazy (Single Version) – Patsy Cline’s Greatest Hits (Remastered)

Buy CrazyAmazon

27.  George Jones- Tender Years

Buy Tender Years – The Essential George Jones

Buy Tender YearsAmazon

28.  William Bell- You Don’t Miss Your Water

Buy You Don’t Miss Your Water – The Very Best of William Bell

Buy You Don’t Miss Your WaterAmazon

29.  Ben E. King- Stand By Me

Buy Stand By Me – Rhino Hi-Five: Ben E. King – EP

Buy Stand By MeAmazon

30.  Etta James- At Last

Buy At Last – At Last! (Remastered)

Buy At LastAmazon

Best of 1961 Volume 2 (10/7/02)

1.  Ricky Nelson- Hello Mary Lou

Buy Hello Mary Lou – Greatest Hits

Buy Hello Mary Lou (Goodbye Heart) (2005 Digital Remaster) Amazon

2.  Chuck Berry- I’m Talking About You

Buy I’m Talking About You – The Definitive Collection (Single Version)

Buy I’m Talking About YouAmazon

3.  Ike & Tina Turner- It’s Gonna Work Out Fine

Buy It’s Gonna Work Out Fine – Proud Mary – The Best of Ike & Tina Turner

Buy It’s Gonna Work Out FineAmazon

4.  Dion- Runaround Sue

Buy Runaround Sue – Runaround Sue

Buy Runaround Sue (1991 Digital Remaster) Amazon

5.  Ray Charles- Unchain My Heart

Buy Unchain My Heart – Genius – The Ultimate Ray Charles Collection

Buy Unchain My HeartAmazon

6.  James Brown- Lost Someone

Buy Lost Someone – Star Time

Buy Lost SomeoneAmazon

7.  Roy Orbison- Running Scared

Buy Running Scared – 16 Biggest Hits: Roy Orbison

Buy Running ScaredAmazon

8.  Patsy Cline- I Fall to Pieces

Buy I Fall to Pieces – Patsy Cline’s Greatest Hits (Remastered)

Buy I Fall To PiecesAmazon

9.  Gene Pitney- Town Without Pity

Buy Town Without Pity – Gene Pitney: 18 All-Time Greatest Hits

Buy Town Without PityAmazon

10.  Gladys Knight & the Pips- Every Beat of My Heart

Buy Every Beat of My Heart – Doo Wop Hits of the ’50s & ’60s

Buy Every Beat Of My HeartAmazon

11.  Dee Clark- Raindrops

Buy Raindrops – Dee Clark: Greatest Hits

Buy Raindrops Amazon

12.  Bobby Bland- I Pity the Fool

Buy I Pity the Fool – Two Steps from the Blues (Bonus Tracks)

Buy I Pity The Fool Amazon

13.  Freddie King- I’m Tore Down

Buy I’m Tore Down – 17 Greatest Hits

Buy I’m Tore DownAmazon

14.  Jimmy Reed- Big Boss Man

Buy Big Boss Man – The Very Best of Jimmy Reed

Buy Big Boss ManAmazon

15.  Jerry Butler- Find Another Girl

Buy Find Another Girl – The Greatest Hits of Jerry Butler

Buy Find Another Girl Amazon

16.  Sam Cooke- Just for You

Buy Just for You – 30 Greatest Hits – Sam Cooke Portrait of a Legend 1951-1964 (Remastered)

Buy Just For YouAmazon

17.  Fats Domino- Let the Four Winds Blow

Buy Let the Four Winds Blow – The Fats Domino Jukebox: 20 Greatest Hits

Buy Let The Four Winds Blow (2002 Digital Remaster)Amazon

18.  Elvis Presley- Marie’s the Name of His Latest Flame

Buy (Marie’s the Name) His Latest Flame – Elvis: 30 #1 Hits

Buy (Marie’s The Name) His Latest Flame Amazon

19.  The Marathons- Peanut Butter

Buy Peanut Butter – Greatest Hits Of The 1960’s

Buy Peanut ButterAmazon

20.  Joey Dee & the Starliters- The Peppermint Twist

Buy Peppermint Twist (Part 1) – Oldies But Goodies (New Stereo Recordings)

Buy Peppermint Twist Amazon

21.  The Vibrations- The Watusi

Buy The Watusi – Oldies But Goodies

Buy The WatusiAmazon

22.  Clarence “Frogman” Henry- But I Do

Buy (I Don’t Know Why ) But I Do – Ain’t Got No Home – The Best Of Clarence “Frogman” Henry

Buy But I DoAmazon

23.  Ernie “K” Doe- Mother-In-Law

Buy Mother In Law – The New Orleans Hit Story, 1950-1970 (Disc 1)

Buy Mother In Law – OriginalAmazon

24.  Del Shannon- Hats Off to Larry

Buy Hats Off To Larry – The Del Shannon Collection

Buy Hats Off To LarryAmazon

25.  The Jive Five- My True Story

Buy My True Story – Collectors Gold Series: The Jive Five

Buy My True Story (Stereo Version)Amazon

26.  The Cleftones- Heart and Soul

Buy Heart and Soul – Doo Wop Classics, Vol. 2

Buy Heart And SoulAmazon

27.  The Blue Jays- Lover’s Island

Buy Lover’s Island – Golden Hits Forever, Vol. 5

Buy Lover’s IslandAmazon

28.  The Capris- There’s A Moon Out Tonight

Buy There’s a Moon Out Tonight – Rock & Roll 60s, 1961, Vol.1

Buy There’s A Moon Out TonightAmazon

29.  Shep & the Limelites- Daddy’s Home

Buy Daddy’s Home – Doo Wop Classics, Vol. 1

Buy Daddy’s Home (Single Version)Amazon

30.  Little Caesar & the Romans- Those Oldies but Goodies (Remind Me Of You)

Buy Those Oldies But Goodies Remind Me of You – Deep Into the Sixties – 20 Rare Grooves

Buy Those Oldies But Goodies Remind Me Of YouAmazon

Best of 1961 Volume 3 (4/19/04)

1.  Howlin’ Wolf- Shake for Me

Buy Shake for Me (Single) – His Best (Chess 50th Anniversary Collection)

Buy Shake For MeAmazon

2.  Albert King- Don’t Throw Your Love on Me So Strong

Buy Don’t Throw Your Love On Me So Strong (Live) – Stax Profiles: Albert King

Buy Don’t Throw Your Love On Me So StrongAmazon

3.  Hank Ballard & the Midnighters- The Switch-A-Roo

Buy Switch-a-roo – Doo Wop Dance Hits

Buy The Switch-A-RooAmazon

4.  The Drifters- Some Kind of Wonderful

Buy Some Kind of Wonderful – The Drifters: Essentials

Buy Some Kind Of Wonderful (LP Version)Amazon

5.  The Velvets Tonight (Could be the Night)

Buy Tonight Could Be the Night – Doo Wop Classics Vol. 8

Buy Tonight Could Be The NightAmazon

6.  Ben E. King- Amor

Buy Amor – The Ultimate Collection

Buy AmorAmazon

7.  Dion- The Majestic

Buy The Majestic – Runaround Sue

Buy The Majestic (Digitally Remastered 91)Amazon

8.  The Stereos- I Really Love You

Buy I Really Love You – Doo Wop Rare Oldie Classics, Vol. 2

Buy I Really Love YouAmazon

9.  Gene Pitney- (I Wanna) Live Me Life Away

Buy (I Wanna) Love My Life Away – Gene Pitney Sings Worldwide Winners

Buy (I Wanna) Love My Life AwayAmazon

10.  Jerry Butler- I’m A Telling You

Buy I’m a Telling You – Best of Jerry Butler

Buy I’m A-Telling YouAmazon

11.  The Earls- Life Is But a Dream

Buy Life Is But a Dream – Remember Then

Buy Life Is But A DreamAmazon

12.  Lee Dorsey- Ya Ya

Buy Ya Ya – Silly Songs

Buy Ya Ya – OriginalAmazon

13.  Ray Charles- One Mint Julep

Buy One Mint Julep – Genius – The Ultimate Ray Charles Collection

Buy One Mint JulepAmazon

14.  Gary U.S. Bonds- School Is Out

Buy School Is Out – The Very Best of Gary U.S. Bonds

Buy School Is OutAmazon

15.  Sam Cooke- That It-I Quit-I’m Movin’ On

Buy That’s It – I Quit – I’m Movin’ On – The Man Who Invented Soul

Buy That’s It – I Quit – I’m Movin’ OnAmazon

16.  Junior Parker- Driving Wheel

Buy Drivin’ Wheel (Single Version) – Driving Wheel

Buy Drivin’ WheelAmazon

17.  Johnny Cash- The Rebel- Johnny Yuma

Buy The Rebel-Johnny Yuma – The Essential Johnny Cash

Buy The Rebel-Johnny YumaAmazon

18.  Freddie King- Lonesome Whistle Blues

Buy Lonesome Whistle Blues – 17 Greatest Hits

Buy Name Your LinkAmazon

19.  Elvis Presley- I Feel So Bad

Buy I Feel So Bad – Elvis Is Back (Legacy Edition)

Buy I Feel So Bad (Digitally Remastered)Amazon

20.  Roy Orbison- I’m Hurting

Buy I’m Hurtin’ – 16 Biggest Hits: Roy Orbison

Buy I’m Hurtin’Amazon

21.  Smokey Robinson & the Miracles- What’s So Good About Goodbye

Buy What’s so Good About Goodbye – The Ultimate Collection: Smokey Robinson and the Miracles

Buy What’s So Good About GoodbyeAmazon

22.  The Marcels- Heartaches

Buy Heartaches – Doo Wop Classics, Vol. 2

Buy HeartachesAmazon

23.  The Everly Brothers- Walk Right Back

Buy Walk Right Back – The Golden Hits of the Everly Brothers

Buy Walk Right Back (LP Version)Amazon

24. Carla Thomas- (Mama Mama) Wish Me Good Luck

Buy (Mama, Mama) Wish Me Good Luck – Stax-Volt: The Complete Singles (1959-1968)

Buy (Mama, Mama) Wish Me Good LuckAmazon

25.  The Chantels- Look In My Eyes

Buy Look in My Eyes [Stereo Version] – The Best of the Chantels

Buy Look in My Eyes [Stereo Version]Amazon

26.  Bobby Bland- Don’t Cry No More

Buy Don’t Cry No More – Two Steps from the Blues (Bonus Tracks)

Buy Don’t Cry No MoreAmazon

27.  The Shirelles- Mama Said

Buy Mama Said – The Shirelles: 20 Greatest Hits

Buy Mama SaidAmazon

28.  Marty Robbins- Don’t Worry

Buy Don’t Worry – The Essential Marty Robbins

Buy Don’t Worry (Single Version)Amazon

29.  Bobby Vee- Take Good Care of My Baby

Buy Take Good Care of My Baby – Very Best of Bobby Vee

Buy Take Good Care Of My Baby (1990 – Remastered)Amazon

30.  The Regents- Barbara-Ann

Buy Barbara Ann (LP Version) – Barbara-Ann

Buy Barbara AnnAmazon

31.  The Jarmels- A Little Bit of Soap

Buy A Little Bit of Soap – Lost Hits of the 60’s

Buy A Little Bit Of Soap (Original Hit Version)Amazon

Best of 1961 Volume 4 (6/25/06)

1.  Barbara George- I Know (You Don’t Love Me No More)

Buy I Know (You Don’t Love Me Anymore) – Funky Divas – Do You Funk?

Buy I Know (You Don’t Love Me Anymore) Amazon

2.  Sam Cooke- (Don’t Fight It) Feel It

Buy (Don’t Fight It) Feel It – The Man Who Invented Soul

Buy (Don’T Fight It) Feel ItAmazon

3.  Hank Ballard & the Midnighters- Nothing But Good

Buy Nothing But Good – Hank Ballard & The Midnighters – All 20 of Their Chart Hits (1953-1962)

*Track not available via Amazon

4.  The Regents- Runaround

Buy Runaround – Rare Rock N’ Roll Masters

Buy Run AroundAmazon

5.  Bobby Lewis- Tossin’ & Turnin’

Buy Tossin’ & Turnin’ – Music From & Inspired By Animal House

Buy Tossin’ And Turnin’Amazon

6.  The Dovells- The Bristol Stomp

Buy Bristol Stomp – Cameo Parkway: The Best of the Dovells, 1961-1965

Buy Bristol Stomp Amazon

7.  Robert Parker- All Night Long (Part 1)

Buy All Night Long, Pt. 1 – We Got a Party – The Best of Ron Records, Vol. 1

Buy All Night LongAmazon

8.  Fats Domino- Jambalaya

Buy Jambalaya (On the Bayou) – The Fats Domino Jukebox: 20 Greatest Hits

Buy Jambalaya (On The Bayou) (2002 Digital Remaster)Amazon

9.  The Drifters- Sweets for My Sweet

Buy Sweets for My Sweet – All-Time Greatest Hits & More (1959-1965)

Buy Sweets For My Sweet (LP Version)Amazon

10.  Roy Orbison- Candy Man

Buy Candy Man – 16 Biggest Hits: Roy Orbison

Buy Candy ManAmazon

11.  Wanda Jackson- Funnel of Love

Buy Funnel of Love – Rocknrolla (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)

Buy Let’s Have A Party! The Very Best Of Wanda JacksonAmazon

12.  Elvis Presley- Can’t Help Falling in Love with You

Buy Can’t Help Falling In Love – Elvis: 30 #1 Hits

Buy Can’t Help Falling In LoveAmazon

13.  Paris Sisters- I Love How You Love Me

Buy I Love How You Love Me – Sixties Top 50 Best Ever

Buy I Love How You Love MeAmazon

14.  The Shirelles- Big John

Buy Big John (Ain’t You Gonna Marry Me) – The Shirelles: 20 Greatest Hits

*Track not available via Amazon

15.  Freddie King- See See Baby

Buy See See Baby – 17 Greatest Hits

Buy See See BabyAmazon

16.  Ray Charles- I’ve Got News for You

Buy I’ve Got News for You – Genius + Soul = Jazz (Expanded Edition)

Buy I’ve Got News For YouAmazon

17.  Jackie Wilson- I’m Coming On Back to You

Buy I’m Comin’ On Back to You – Jackie Wilson: 20 Greatest Hits

Buy I’m Comin’ On Back To YouAmazon

18.  The Dreamlovers- When We Get Married

Buy When We Get Married – The Heritage Colossus Story

Buy When We Get MarriedAmazon

19.  New Lost City Ramblers- I’ll Roll in My Sweet Baby’s Arms

Buy I’ll Roll In My Sweet Baby’s Arms – The New Lost City Ramblers – Vol. Three

Buy I’ll Roll in My Sweet Baby’s ArmsAmazon

20.  Howlin’ Wolf- Going Down Slow

Buy Going Down Slow – Killing Floor – Blues Essentials

Buy Going Down SlowAmazon

21.  Link Wray- Jack the Ripper

Buy Jack the Ripper – Desperado (The Soundtrack)

Buy Jack The RipperAmazon

22.  Jorden Ingmann- Apache

Buy Apache – Atlantic 60: Instrumental Jams

Buy Apache Amazon

23.  The Tokens- The Lion Sleeps Tonight (Wimoweh)

Buy The Lion Sleeps Tonight (Wimoweh) – Wimoweh – The Best of the Tokens

Buy The Lion Sleeps Tonight (Wimoweh)Amazon

24.  Nina Simone- House of the Rising Sun (Live)

Buy House of the Rising Sun – Anthology:The Colpix Years

Buy House Of The Rising SunAmazon

25.  Connie Francis- Where the Boys Are

Buy Where the Boys Are – 20th Century Masters – The Millennium Collection: The Best of Connie Francis

Buy Where The Boys AreAmazon

26.  Dick & Dee Dee- The Mountain’s High

Buy The Mountain’s High – Lost Hits of the 60’s

Buy The Mountain’s HighAmazon

27.  Bo Diddley- Pills

Buy Pills – The Chess 50th Anniversary Collection: Bo Diddley – His Best

Buy PillsAmazon

28.  The Party Boys- We Got the Party

Buy We Got a Party – We Got a Party – The Best of Ron Records, Vol. 1

Buy We Got A PartyAmazon

29.  Del Shannon- So Long Baby
Buy So Long Baby – 20 Greats

Buy So Long Baby

Best of 1961 Volume 5 (11/12/11)

1.  Chubby Checker- Pony Time

Buy Pony Time – The Best of Chubby Checker: 1959-1963 (Cameo Parkway Original Recordings)

Buy Pony Time (Original Hit Recordings)Amazon

2.  The Halos- Nag

Buy Nag – Warwick Collection, Vol. 4

Buy Nag Amazon

3.  The Showmen- It Will Stand

Buy It Will Stand – The New Orleans Hit Story, 1950-1970 (Disc 1)

Buy It Will Stand (2002 Digital Remaster)Amazon

4.  The Phil Upchurch Combo- You Can’t Sit Down (Parts 1 & 2)

Buy You Can’t Sit Down – Part One – You Can’t Sit Down

Buy You Can’t Sit Down – Part One Amazon

5.  The Ventures- Ram-Bunk-Shush

Buy Ram-Bunk-Shush – Walk Don’t Run : The Best Of The Ventures

Buy Ram-Bunk-ShushAmazon

6.  Lavern Baker- Saved

Buy Saved – Soul On Fire: The Best of LaVerne Baker

Buy SavedAmazon

7.  Freddie King- I Love the Woman

*Track not available via iTunes or Amazon

8.  Howlin’ Wolf- The Red Rooster

Buy The Red Rooster (1961 Single Version) – The Definitive Collectio

Buy The Red Rooster A/K/A The Little Red RoosterAmazon

9.  Ben E. King- Young Boy Blues

Buy Young Boy Blues – The Ultimate Collection

Buy Young Boy BluesAmazon

10.  Nina Simone- Rags and Old Iron

Buy Rags and Old Iron – Anthology:The Colpix Years

Buy Rags And Old Iron (Album Version)Amazon

11.  Sam Cooke- Don’t Get Around Much Anymore

Buy Don’t Get Around Much Any More – The Man Who Invented Soul

Buy Don’T Get Around Much, Anymore Amazon

12.  Ray Charles- I’m Gonna Move to the Outskirts of Town

Buy I’m Gonna Move to the Outskirts of Town – Genius + Soul = Jazz (Expanded Edition)

Buy I’m Gonna Move To The Outskirts Of TownAmazon

13.  Joyce Harris- No Way Out

Buy No Way Out – The Domino Story

Buy No Way OutAmazon

14.  The Coasters- Little Egypt (Ying-Yang)

Buy Little Egypt (Ying-Yang) – Coast Along With The Coasters

Buy Little Egypt (Ying-Yang) (Single/LP Version)Amazon

15.  Ernie “K” Doe- Te-Ta-Te-Ta-Ta

Buy Te Ta Te Ta Ta – Original – Ernie K-Doe Selected Hits (Vol. 2)

Buy Te Ta Te Ta Ta – OriginalAmazon

16.  Hank Ballard & the Midnighters- Let’s Go Again (Where We Went Last Night)

Buy Let’s Go Again – Hank Ballard & The Midnighters – All 20 of Their Chart Hits (1953-1962)

*Track not available via Amazon

17.  Buck Owens- Foolin’ Around

Buy Foolin’ Around – Sings Harlan Howard

Buy Foolin’ Around Amazon

18.  Willie Nelson- Mr. Record Man

Buy Mr. Record Man – The Essential Willie Nelson

Buy Mr. Record ManAmazon

19.  Faron Young- Hello Walls

Buy Hello Walls – Billboard #1s: Classic Country

Buy Hello WallsAmazon

20.  Slim Harpo- Rainin’ In My Heart

Buy Rainin’ in My Heart – The Best of Slim Harpo

Buy Rainin’ In My Heart (Single Version)Amazon

21.  The Drifters- Please Stay

Buy Please Stay – All-Time Greatest Hits & More (1959-1965)

Buy Please Stay (Single/LP Version) Amazon

22.  Elvis Presley- Surrender

Buy Surrender – Elvis: 30 #1 Hits

Buy SurrenderAmazon

23.  The Tokens- Tonight I Fell in Love

Buy Tonight I Fell in Love – Oldies Are Now

Buy Tonight I Fell In Love Amazon

24.  The Sevilles- Charlena

Buy Charlena – Rare Rock N’ Roll Masters

Buy CharlenaAmazon

25.  The Quotations- Imagination

Buy Imagination – Rare Gold Doo Wops Vol 4

Buy ImaginationAmazon

26.  Jan & Dean- Heart and Soul

Buy Heart and Soul – Surfin’ Beach Party (Beach Boys / Jan & Dean / Deltas)

Buy Heart And SoulAmazon

27.  Johnny Cash- Tennessee Flat-Top Box

Buy Tennessee Flat-Top Box – The Essential Johnny Cash

Buy Tennessee Flat-Top BoxAmazon

28.  Bobby Darin- Lazy River

Buy Lazy River – The Ultimate Bobby Darin

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29.  John Coltrane- My Favorite Things (Part 2)

Buy My Favorite Things, Part 2 (Single Version) – My Favorite Things

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