The first concept in fact was Joni James' "Let There Be Love" in 1953, which slightly preceded Sinatra's "Song for Young Lovers." James selected the songs to tell a story start to finish (opening with "Let There Be Love" and closing with "I'll Be Seeing You") and she personally supervised the cover art by M-G-M Pictures Studios' Russ Gale. "I planned it as a book," she said. Two Sinatra albums preceded "Swingin' Lovers," "Young Lovers" and "Swing Easy."
Regarding the comment that Sgt Peppers was the first ever concept album in pop music, I think that honor would have to go to Sinatra's 1955 "In the Wee Small Hours". Besides, despite the claim of it's concept, I don't think musically it fulfills it. 'She's Leaving Home' and 'Within You, Without You' have nothing to do with the concept and don't match the rest of the songs musically.
Whoops! I meant two Sinatra albums preceded "Wee Small Hours."
waynebrasler 7 months ago
The first concept in fact was Joni James' "Let There Be Love" in 1953, which slightly preceded Sinatra's "Song for Young Lovers." James selected the songs to tell a story start to finish (opening with "Let There Be Love" and closing with "I'll Be Seeing You") and she personally supervised the cover art by M-G-M Pictures Studios' Russ Gale. "I planned it as a book," she said. Two Sinatra albums preceded "Swingin' Lovers," "Young Lovers" and "Swing Easy."
waynebrasler 7 months ago
Regarding the comment that Sgt Peppers was the first ever concept album in pop music, I think that honor would have to go to Sinatra's 1955 "In the Wee Small Hours". Besides, despite the claim of it's concept, I don't think musically it fulfills it. 'She's Leaving Home' and 'Within You, Without You' have nothing to do with the concept and don't match the rest of the songs musically.
KVASEY 2 years ago