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The Top 100 Albums of the 1950s

The decade the long-playing record came of age: rock ’n’ roll, bebop and cool jazz, Sinatra’s concept albums, Chicago blues and the first stirrings of bossa nova, ranked.

100 albums

  1. 1
    Kind of Blue by Miles Davis
    Jazz

    Kind of Blue

    Miles Davis · 1959 · Columbia

    The modal masterpiece, often cited as the best-selling jazz album of all time.

    Released 17 Aug 1959 · 5 tracks

  2. 2
    Elvis Presley by Elvis Presley
    Rock & roll

    Elvis Presley

    Elvis Presley · 1956 · RCA Victor

    The debut album that helped launch rock ’n’ roll.

    Released 23 Mar 1956 · 12 tracks

  3. 3
    In the Wee Small Hours by Frank Sinatra
    Vocal pop

    In the Wee Small Hours

    Frank Sinatra · 1955 · Capitol

    An early concept album of late-night ballads.

    Released 25 Apr 1955 · 16 tracks

  4. 4
    Time Out by The Dave Brubeck Quartet
    Jazz

    Time Out

    The Dave Brubeck Quartet · 1959 · Columbia

    Unusual time signatures, including “Take Five”.

    Released 14 Dec 1959 · 7 tracks

  5. 5
    Mingus Ah Um by Charles Mingus
    Jazz

    Mingus Ah Um

    Charles Mingus · 1959 · Columbia

    Blues, gospel and tributes, including “Goodbye Pork Pie Hat”.

    Released 1 Oct 1959 · 25 tracks

  6. 6
    Here’s Little Richard by Little Richard
    Rock & roll

    Here’s Little Richard

    Little Richard · 1957 · Specialty

    Wild rock ’n’ roll including “Tutti Frutti”.

    Released 4 Mar 1957 · 34 tracks

  7. 7
    The Shape of Jazz to Come by Ornette Coleman
    Jazz

    The Shape of Jazz to Come

    Ornette Coleman · 1959 · Atlantic

    A pianoless quartet that pointed the way to free jazz.

    Released 11 Nov 1959 · 6 tracks

  8. 8
    Songs for Swingin’ Lovers! by Frank Sinatra
    Vocal pop

    Songs for Swingin’ Lovers!

    Frank Sinatra · 1956 · Capitol

    Swinging Nelson Riddle arrangements, including “I’ve Got You Under My Skin”.

    Released 5 Mar 1956 · 15 tracks

  9. 9
    Chuck Berry Is on Top by Chuck Berry
    Rock & roll

    Chuck Berry Is on Top

    Chuck Berry · 1959 · Chess

    Includes “Johnny B. Goode” and “Maybellene”.

    Released 1 Jul 1959 · 12 tracks

  10. 10
    The “Chirping” Crickets by The Crickets
    Rock & roll

    The “Chirping” Crickets

    The Crickets · 1957 · Brunswick

    Buddy Holly’s band, including “That’ll Be the Day”.

    Released 27 Nov 1957 · 12 tracks

  11. 11
    Lady in Satin by Billie Holiday
    Vocal jazz

    Lady in Satin

    Billie Holiday · 1958 · Columbia

    Holiday’s late, lushly orchestrated ballads.

    Released 1 Jun 1958 · 40 tracks

  12. 12
    Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Cole Porter Song Book by Ella Fitzgerald
    Vocal jazz

    Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Cole Porter Song Book

    Ella Fitzgerald · 1956 · Verve

    The first of her celebrated Song Book albums.

    Released 20 Mar 1956 · 32 tracks

  13. 13
    Brilliant Corners by Thelonious Monk
    Jazz

    Brilliant Corners

    Thelonious Monk · 1957 · Riverside

    Monk’s knotty compositions with Sonny Rollins.

    Released 1 Jan 1957 · 5 tracks

  14. 14
    Saxophone Colossus by Sonny Rollins
    Jazz

    Saxophone Colossus

    Sonny Rollins · 1957 · Prestige

    Rollins at his peak, opening with “St. Thomas”.

    Released 1 Jan 1956 · 5 tracks

  15. 15
    Moanin’ by Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers
    Jazz

    Moanin’

    Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers · 1959 · Blue Note

    A defining hard bop statement with Lee Morgan and Benny Golson.

    Released 1 Jan 1959 · 7 tracks

  16. 16
    Somethin’ Else by Cannonball Adderley
    Jazz

    Somethin’ Else

    Cannonball Adderley · 1958 · Blue Note

    With Miles Davis, including a celebrated “Autumn Leaves”.

    Released 1 Jan 1958 · 6 tracks

  17. 17
    Blue Train by John Coltrane
    Jazz

    Blue Train

    John Coltrane · 1958 · Blue Note

    Coltrane’s only Blue Note album as leader.

    Released 1 Jan 1958 · 7 tracks

  18. 18
    My Fair Lady by Original Broadway Cast
    Stage & screen

    My Fair Lady

    Original Broadway Cast · 1956 · Columbia

    One of the best-selling albums of the decade.

    Released 25 Mar 1976 · 16 tracks

  19. 19
    Elvis by Elvis Presley
    Rock & roll

    Elvis

    Elvis Presley · 1956 · RCA Victor

    Presley’s second album, recorded at the height of his early fame.

    Released 19 Oct 1956 · 12 tracks

  20. 20
    Ella and Louis by Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong
    Vocal jazz

    Ella and Louis

    Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong · 1956 · Verve

    Warm duets backed by Oscar Peterson’s group.

    Released 1 Jan 1956 · 11 tracks

  21. 21
    Birth of the Cool by Miles Davis
    Jazz

    Birth of the Cool

    Miles Davis · 1957 · Capitol

    Nonet sessions from 1949–50 that shaped cool jazz.

    Released 1 Jan 1957 · 11 tracks

  22. 22
    Calypso by Harry Belafonte
    Folk & world

    Calypso

    Harry Belafonte · 1956 · RCA Victor

    Caribbean songs including “Day-O”, and a huge bestseller.

    Released 18 May 1956 · 11 tracks

  23. 23
    Chega de Saudade by João Gilberto
    Latin & Brazilian

    Chega de Saudade

    João Gilberto · 1959 · Odeon

    The debut album that launched bossa nova.

    Released 8 Mar 1959 · 26 tracks

  24. 24
    Frank Sinatra Sings for Only the Lonely by Frank Sinatra
    Vocal pop

    Frank Sinatra Sings for Only the Lonely

    Frank Sinatra · 1958 · Capitol

    Sinatra’s bleakest and most beautiful ballad album.

    Released 8 Sep 1958 · 16 tracks

  25. 25
    Porgy and Bess by Miles Davis
    Jazz

    Porgy and Bess

    Miles Davis · 1959 · Columbia

    Gil Evans’s orchestral reimagining of Gershwin.

    Released 1 Jan 1959 · 13 tracks

  26. 26
    Miles Ahead by Miles Davis
    Jazz

    Miles Ahead

    Miles Davis · 1957 · Columbia

    The first of Davis’s orchestral collaborations with Gil Evans.

    Released 21 Oct 1957 · 14 tracks

  27. 27
    ’Round About Midnight by Miles Davis
    Jazz

    ’Round About Midnight

    Miles Davis · 1957 · Columbia

    His Columbia debut with the first great quintet.

    Released 18 Mar 1957 · 19 tracks

  28. 28
    Milestones by Miles Davis
    Jazz

    Milestones

    Miles Davis · 1958 · Columbia

    The sextet with Coltrane and Adderley points toward modal jazz.

    Released 2 Sep 1958 · 9 tracks

  29. 29
    Chet Baker Sings by Chet Baker
    Vocal jazz

    Chet Baker Sings

    Chet Baker · 1954 · Pacific Jazz

    Intimate vocals and trumpet, including “My Funny Valentine”.

    Released 1 Apr 1954 · 14 tracks

  30. 30
    Ellington at Newport by Duke Ellington
    Jazz

    Ellington at Newport

    Duke Ellington · 1956 · Columbia

    The festival set that revived Ellington’s career.

    Released 1 Jan 1956 · 10 tracks

  31. 31
    Clifford Brown & Max Roach by Clifford Brown & Max Roach
    Jazz

    Clifford Brown & Max Roach

    Clifford Brown & Max Roach · 1955 · EmArcy

    Hard bop from a brilliant, short-lived partnership.

    Released 1 Jan 1954 · 7 tracks

  32. 32
    Sarah Vaughan by Sarah Vaughan
    Vocal jazz

    Sarah Vaughan

    Sarah Vaughan · 1955 · EmArcy

    Vaughan with Clifford Brown, including “Lullaby of Birdland”.

    Released 18 Dec 1954 · 10 tracks

  33. 33
    Way Out West by Sonny Rollins
    Jazz

    Way Out West

    Sonny Rollins · 1957 · Contemporary

    A pianoless trio playing Western-themed standards.

    Released 7 Mar 1957 · 9 tracks

  34. 34
    Concert by the Sea by Erroll Garner
    Jazz

    Concert by the Sea

    Erroll Garner · 1956 · Columbia

    A joyous live trio concert in Carmel, California.

    Released 1 Jan 1955 · 11 tracks

  35. 35
    At the Pershing: But Not for Me by Ahmad Jamal
    Jazz

    At the Pershing: But Not for Me

    Ahmad Jamal · 1958 · Argo

    A spare, influential live trio set featuring “Poinciana”.

    Released 1 Jan 1958 · 8 tracks

  36. 36
    Jazz at Massey Hall by The Quintet
    Jazz

    Jazz at Massey Hall

    The Quintet · 1953 · Debut

    Parker, Gillespie, Powell, Mingus and Roach together in Toronto.

    Released 1 Jan 1953 · 6 tracks

  37. 37
    The Atomic Mr. Basie by Count Basie
    Jazz

    The Atomic Mr. Basie

    Count Basie · 1958 · Roulette

    Neal Hefti’s arrangements, including “Li’l Darlin’”.

    Released 1 Jan 1958 · 11 tracks

  38. 38
    Moanin’ in the Moonlight by Howlin’ Wolf
    Blues

    Moanin’ in the Moonlight

    Howlin’ Wolf · 1959 · Chess

    Howlin’ Wolf’s ferocious Chicago blues.

    Released 1 Jan 1959 · 12 tracks

  39. 39
    The Best of Muddy Waters by Muddy Waters
    Blues

    The Best of Muddy Waters

    Muddy Waters · 1958 · Chess

    Muddy’s first LP, gathering “Hoochie Coochie Man” and more.

    Released 2 Apr 1957 · 12 tracks

  40. 40
    The Genius of Ray Charles by Ray Charles
    Soul & R&B

    The Genius of Ray Charles

    Ray Charles · 1959 · Atlantic

    Big-band swing on one side, lush ballads on the other.

    Released 1 Oct 1959 · 12 tracks

  41. 41
    Little Girl Blue by Nina Simone
    Vocal jazz

    Little Girl Blue

    Nina Simone · 1959 · Bethlehem

    Her debut, including “I Loves You, Porgy”.

    Released 1 Feb 1959 · 11 tracks

  42. 42
    With His Hot and Blue Guitar by Johnny Cash
    Country

    With His Hot and Blue Guitar

    Johnny Cash · 1957 · Sun

    Cash’s debut, including “Folsom Prison Blues”.

    Released 1 Jan 1957 · 12 tracks

  43. 43
    Moanin’ the Blues by Hank Williams
    Country

    Moanin’ the Blues

    Hank Williams · 1952 · MGM

    A collection of Hank Williams’s bluesiest songs.

    Released 12 Sep 1952 · 12 tracks

  44. 44
    Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs by Marty Robbins
    Country

    Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs

    Marty Robbins · 1959 · Columbia

    Western story-songs including “El Paso”.

    Released 1 Jan 1959 · 15 tracks

  45. 45
    The Everly Brothers by The Everly Brothers
    Rock & roll

    The Everly Brothers

    The Everly Brothers · 1958 · Cadence

    Close harmonies including “Bye Bye Love”.

    Released 1 Jan 1958 · 11 tracks

  46. 46
    Buddy Holly by Buddy Holly
    Rock & roll

    Buddy Holly

    Buddy Holly · 1958 · Coral

    Includes “Peggy Sue”.

    Released 20 Feb 1958 · 17 tracks

  47. 47
    Bo Diddley by Bo Diddley
    Rock & roll

    Bo Diddley

    Bo Diddley · 1958 · Checker

    The debut built on the famous Bo Diddley beat.

    Released 1 Jan 1962 · 12 tracks

  48. 48
    Jerry Lee Lewis by Jerry Lee Lewis
    Rock & roll

    Jerry Lee Lewis

    Jerry Lee Lewis · 1958 · Sun

    Pounding piano rock ’n’ roll.

    Released 1 May 1958 · 12 tracks

  49. 49
    Rock and Rollin’ with Fats Domino by Fats Domino
    Rock & roll

    Rock and Rollin’ with Fats Domino

    Fats Domino · 1956 · Imperial

    New Orleans rhythm and blues.

    Released 1 Mar 1956

  50. 50
    Bluejean Bop! by Gene Vincent & His Blue Caps
    Rock & roll

    Bluejean Bop!

    Gene Vincent & His Blue Caps · 1956 · Capitol

    Rockabilly with Cliff Gallup’s lightning guitar.

    Released 7 Apr 1998 · 24 tracks

  51. 51
    Singin’ to My Baby by Eddie Cochran
    Rock & roll

    Singin’ to My Baby

    Eddie Cochran · 1957 · Liberty

    The only album Cochran released in his lifetime.

    Released 1 Nov 1957 · 12 tracks

  52. 52
    Elvis’ Christmas Album by Elvis Presley
    Rock & roll

    Elvis’ Christmas Album

    Elvis Presley · 1957 · RCA Victor

    One of the best-selling Christmas albums ever.

    Released 15 Oct 1957 · 12 tracks

  53. 53
    Love Is the Thing by Nat King Cole
    Vocal pop

    Love Is the Thing

    Nat King Cole · 1957 · Capitol

    Velvet ballads arranged by Gordon Jenkins.

    Released 1 Jan 2009 · 24 tracks

  54. 54
    Black Coffee by Peggy Lee
    Vocal jazz

    Black Coffee

    Peggy Lee · 1953 · Decca

    Smoky, intimate small-group jazz.

    Released 1 Jan 1954 · 8 tracks

  55. 55
    Julie Is Her Name by Julie London
    Vocal pop

    Julie Is Her Name

    Julie London · 1955 · Liberty

    Voice, guitar and bass, including “Cry Me a River”.

    Released 1 Dec 1955 · 13 tracks

  56. 56
    What a Diff’rence a Day Makes! by Dinah Washington
    Vocal jazz

    What a Diff’rence a Day Makes!

    Dinah Washington · 1959 · Mercury

    Her crossover hit album.

    Released 19 Feb 1959 · 16 tracks

  57. 57
    Dance Mania by Tito Puente
    Latin & Brazilian

    Dance Mania

    Tito Puente · 1958 · RCA Victor

    Hot mambo from the King of Latin music.

    Released 26 Jun 2000 · 15 tracks

  58. 58
    Exotica by Martin Denny
    Easy listening

    Exotica

    Martin Denny · 1957 · Liberty

    Birdcalls and vibraphone define the exotica craze.

    Released 1 May 1957 · 12 tracks

  59. 59
    The Kingston Trio by The Kingston Trio
    Folk & world

    The Kingston Trio

    The Kingston Trio · 1958 · Capitol

    Includes “Tom Dooley”, which sparked the folk revival.

    Released 1 Jun 1958 · 12 tracks

  60. 60
    Odetta Sings Ballads and Blues by Odetta
    Folk & world

    Odetta Sings Ballads and Blues

    Odetta · 1956 · Tradition

    A powerful voice of the folk revival.

    Released 1 Jan 1968 · 16 tracks

  61. 61
    Folk & world

    Anthology of American Folk Music

    Harry Smith (compiler) · 1952 · Folkways

    Old 78s that inspired a generation of folk musicians.

  62. 62
    Bless This House by Mahalia Jackson
    Gospel

    Bless This House

    Mahalia Jackson · 1956 · Columbia

    The Queen of Gospel at her most majestic.

    Released 1 Jan 1956 · 12 tracks

  63. 63
    Sam Cooke by Sam Cooke
    Soul & R&B

    Sam Cooke

    Sam Cooke · 1958 · Keen

    The debut album, including “You Send Me”.

    Released 1 Jan 1961 · 13 tracks

  64. 64
    Please Please Please by James Brown
    Soul & R&B

    Please Please Please

    James Brown · 1959 · King

    The raw early sound of the Godfather of Soul.

    Released 1 Jan 1959 · 16 tracks

  65. 65
    Lonely Teardrops by Jackie Wilson
    Soul & R&B

    Lonely Teardrops

    Jackie Wilson · 1959 · Brunswick

    Dynamic R&B including the title hit.

    Released 1 Feb 1959 · 12 tracks

  66. 66
    The Best of Little Walter by Little Walter
    Blues

    The Best of Little Walter

    Little Walter · 1958 · Checker

    Amplified harmonica, including “Juke”.

    Released 1 Jan 1986 · 12 tracks

  67. 67
    The Folk Blues of John Lee Hooker by John Lee Hooker
    Blues

    The Folk Blues of John Lee Hooker

    John Lee Hooker · 1959 · Riverside

    Solo acoustic blues.

    Released 1 Jan 1959 · 12 tracks

  68. 68
    Lightnin’ Hopkins by Lightnin’ Hopkins
    Blues

    Lightnin’ Hopkins

    Lightnin’ Hopkins · 1959 · Folkways

    Intimate Texas country blues.

    Released 1 Jan 1959 · 11 tracks

  69. 69
    Pithecanthropus Erectus by Charles Mingus
    Jazz

    Pithecanthropus Erectus

    Charles Mingus · 1956 · Atlantic

    Mingus’s breakthrough, a jazz tone poem.

    Released 1 Jul 1956 · 4 tracks

  70. 70
    Thelonious Himself by Thelonious Monk
    Jazz

    Thelonious Himself

    Thelonious Monk · 1957 · Riverside

    Monk alone at the piano.

    Released 23 May 2025 · 8 tracks

  71. 71
    Everybody Digs Bill Evans by Bill Evans
    Jazz

    Everybody Digs Bill Evans

    Bill Evans · 1959 · Riverside

    Includes the meditative “Peace Piece”.

    Released 1 Jan 1959 · 16 tracks

  72. 72
    Art Pepper Meets the Rhythm Section by Art Pepper
    Jazz

    Art Pepper Meets the Rhythm Section

    Art Pepper · 1957 · Contemporary

    Pepper with Miles Davis’s rhythm section.

    Released 1 Jan 1957 · 19 tracks

  73. 73
    Stan Getz Plays by Stan Getz
    Jazz

    Stan Getz Plays

    Stan Getz · 1955 · Clef

    Lyrical cool-jazz tenor saxophone.

    Released 1 Jan 1954 · 16 tracks

  74. 74
    Horace Silver and the Jazz Messengers by Horace Silver
    Jazz

    Horace Silver and the Jazz Messengers

    Horace Silver · 1955 · Blue Note

    Early hard bop, including “The Preacher”.

    Released 1 Jan 1955 · 8 tracks

  75. 75
    The Sermon! by Jimmy Smith
    Jazz

    The Sermon!

    Jimmy Smith · 1959 · Blue Note

    A long, bluesy Hammond organ jam.

    Released 1 Jan 1959 · 3 tracks

  76. 76
    Candy by Lee Morgan
    Jazz

    Candy

    Lee Morgan · 1958 · Blue Note

    Morgan’s sparkling trumpet on standards.

    Released 1 Nov 1958 · 7 tracks

  77. 77
    Cool Struttin’ by Sonny Clark
    Jazz

    Cool Struttin’

    Sonny Clark · 1958 · Blue Note

    A hard bop favourite.

    Released 5 Jan 1958 · 6 tracks

  78. 78
    Dizzy Gillespie at Newport by Dizzy Gillespie
    Jazz

    Dizzy Gillespie at Newport

    Dizzy Gillespie · 1957 · Verve

    Gillespie’s big band live at the festival.

    Released 1 Jan 1957 · 9 tracks

  79. 79
    Louis Armstrong Plays W.C. Handy by Louis Armstrong
    Jazz

    Louis Armstrong Plays W.C. Handy

    Louis Armstrong · 1954 · Columbia

    A joyful tribute to the “Father of the Blues”.

    Released 1 Jun 1954 · 16 tracks

  80. 80
    Such Sweet Thunder by Duke Ellington
    Jazz

    Such Sweet Thunder

    Duke Ellington · 1957 · Columbia

    A suite inspired by Shakespeare.

    Released 1 Jan 1957 · 22 tracks

  81. 81
    April in Paris by Count Basie
    Jazz

    April in Paris

    Count Basie · 1956 · Clef

    The title track became a Basie signature.

    Released 1 Jan 1956 · 10 tracks

  82. 82
    Pres and Teddy by Lester Young & Teddy Wilson
    Jazz

    Pres and Teddy

    Lester Young & Teddy Wilson · 1959 · Verve

    Gentle, late-period Lester Young.

    Released 1 Apr 1959 · 7 tracks

  83. 83
    The Hawk Flies High by Coleman Hawkins
    Jazz

    The Hawk Flies High

    Coleman Hawkins · 1957 · Riverside

    The tenor saxophone pioneer with a modern band.

    Released 1 Jan 1957 · 6 tracks

  84. 84
    Anita Sings the Most by Anita O’Day
    Vocal jazz

    Anita Sings the Most

    Anita O’Day · 1957 · Verve

    O’Day’s daring phrasing with Oscar Peterson.

    Released 1 Jan 1957 · 11 tracks

  85. 85
    Something Cool by June Christy
    Vocal jazz

    Something Cool

    June Christy · 1954 · Capitol

    A cool-jazz vocal classic.

    Released 2 Aug 1954 · 11 tracks

  86. 86
    Jazz at Oberlin by The Dave Brubeck Quartet
    Jazz

    Jazz at Oberlin

    The Dave Brubeck Quartet · 1953 · Fantasy

    A live college concert that helped take jazz onto campuses.

    Released 1 Jan 1953 · 5 tracks

  87. 87
    Django by The Modern Jazz Quartet
    Jazz

    Django

    The Modern Jazz Quartet · 1956 · Prestige

    Elegant chamber jazz, including a tribute to Django Reinhardt.

    Released 1 Jan 1956 · 7 tracks

  88. 88
    Cookin’ with the Miles Davis Quintet by The Miles Davis Quintet
    Jazz

    Cookin’ with the Miles Davis Quintet

    The Miles Davis Quintet · 1957 · Prestige

    From the marathon 1956 sessions.

    Released 1 Jul 1957 · 5 tracks

  89. 89
    Soultrane by John Coltrane
    Jazz

    Soultrane

    John Coltrane · 1958 · Prestige

    Coltrane’s “sheets of sound” on standards.

    Released 7 Feb 1958 · 6 tracks

  90. 90
    A Night at the Village Vanguard by Sonny Rollins
    Jazz

    A Night at the Village Vanguard

    Sonny Rollins · 1958 · Blue Note

    Live trio recordings from the famous New York club.

    Released 3 Nov 1957 · 7 tracks

  91. 91
    Something Else!!!! by Ornette Coleman
    Jazz

    Something Else!!!!

    Ornette Coleman · 1958 · Contemporary

    Coleman’s startling debut.

    Released 1 Jan 2009 · 9 tracks

  92. 92
    West Side Story by Original Broadway Cast
    Stage & screen

    West Side Story

    Original Broadway Cast · 1957 · Columbia

    Bernstein and Sondheim’s groundbreaking musical.

    Released 1 Jan 2011 · 19 tracks

  93. 93
    Cliff by Cliff Richard and the Drifters
    Rock & roll

    Cliff

    Cliff Richard and the Drifters · 1959 · Columbia

    Britain’s answer to rock ’n’ roll, recorded live in the studio.

    Released 1 Nov 1959 · 32 tracks

  94. 94
    The Sound of Music by Original Broadway Cast
    Stage & screen

    The Sound of Music

    Original Broadway Cast · 1959 · Columbia

    Mary Martin in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s musical.

    Released 1 Jan 1965 · 27 tracks

  95. 95
    Come Fly with Me by Frank Sinatra
    Vocal pop

    Come Fly with Me

    Frank Sinatra · 1958 · Capitol

    A jet-set travelogue in song.

    Released 6 Jan 1958 · 15 tracks

  96. 96
    Ricky by Ricky Nelson
    Rock & roll

    Ricky

    Ricky Nelson · 1957 · Imperial

    The teen idol’s debut album.

    Released 1 Nov 1957 · 15 tracks

  97. 97
    Ray Charles at Newport by Ray Charles
    Soul & R&B

    Ray Charles at Newport

    Ray Charles · 1958 · Atlantic

    A fiery festival performance.

    Released 1 Oct 1958 · 8 tracks

  98. 98
    Lady Sings the Blues by Billie Holiday
    Vocal jazz

    Lady Sings the Blues

    Billie Holiday · 1956 · Clef

    Released alongside her autobiography of the same name.

    Released 1 Dec 1956 · 12 tracks

  99. 99
    The Fabulous Johnny Cash by Johnny Cash
    Country

    The Fabulous Johnny Cash

    Johnny Cash · 1958 · Columbia

    Cash’s first album for Columbia.

    Released 3 Nov 1958 · 12 tracks

  100. 100
    Sing a Song of Basie by Lambert, Hendricks & Ross
    Vocal jazz

    Sing a Song of Basie

    Lambert, Hendricks & Ross · 1958 · ABC-Paramount

    Vocalese: voices singing Count Basie’s big-band arrangements.

    Released 1 Jan 1957 · 10 tracks

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