"LEGENDS OF GUITAR" - Rock: The 50's, Vol. 2

Guitar Player Presents Legends of Guitar -- Rock: The '50s, Vol. 2 gathers more innovative, guitar-driven songs from rock's first decade, as chosen by Guitar Player magazine...Along with some expected (and well-deserved) picks such as Santo & Johnny's classic "Sleep Walk," Chuck Berry's "Carol" and Duane Eddy's "Three-30-Blues," the collection also celebrates singles and artists not necessarily thought of when it comes to guitar prowess, such as Ricky Nelson's "Waitin' in School," which, as one of his most rockabilly-influenced singles, features some appropriately sharp and fiery licks and rhythm playing. Billy Riley & His Little Green Men's "Flying Saucer Rock & Roll," meanwhile, takes the rockabilly sound to the extreme with a bright, almost distorted tone and jumpy rhythms. The guitar hooks on Mickey & Sylvia's "Love Is Strange" are strange indeed, but complement the duo's playfully romantic banter perfectly. Not surprisingly, though, many of the album's high points come from instrumental tracks, like the Scotty Moore Trio's "Have Guitar, Will Travel," René Hall's Orchestra's "Twitchy," and Icky Renrut (aka Ike Turner)'s "Prancing," a bluesy stomp with some of the most outlandish guitar playing on this album. Buddy Holly's "Blue Days, Black Nights," Johnny Burnette's "Train Kept a Rollin'," and Arvee Allens' "Fast Freight" are some of the other standouts on this collection, which guitar and '50s rock fans alike should investigate. -  AllMusic Review by Heather Phares

trax:
1. Waitin' In School (Joe Maphis) - Ricky Nelson 2. Flying Saucers Rock & Roll (Roland Janes) - Billy Riley & His Little Green Men 3. Prancing (Ike Turner) - Icky Renrut 4. Love Is Strange (Mickey Baker) - Mickey & Sylvia 5. Blue Days, Black Nights (Sonny Curtis) - Buddy Holly 6. Have Guitar Will Travel - Scotty Moore Trio 7. Twitchy (Willie Joe Duncan) - Rene Hall Orchestra Feat. Willie Joe 8. The Train Kept A-Rollin' (Paul Burlison) - Johnny Burnette Trio 9. Cruisin' (Cliff Gallup) - Gene Vincent & The Blue Caps 10. Sleep Walk (Santo & Johnny Farina) - Santo & Johnny 11. Rock-A-Beatin' Boogie (Frannie Beecher) - Bill Haley & The Comets 12. Am I Blue - Eddie Cochran 13. Carol - Chuck Berry 14. Three-30-Blues - Duane Eddy 15. Fireball (George Tomsco & Dan Trammell) - The Fireballs 16. Believe What You Say (James Burton) - Ricky Nelson 17. Just Because (Larry Collins) - The Collins Kids 18. Fast Freight - Ritchie Valens
…originally served by Gyro1966...