...Make no mistake about it, this music is full of abandon and release and joy. It is far more than just the roots of today's music; this is loud, nutzo, visceral, screaming-in-the-night music that is unfortunately being killed off in order to feel-good us into buying hamburgers and pantyhose.
Enter Rhino Records. As America's #1 reissue label, Rhino will be the first to tell you that artists in its catalog -- like Jerry Lee Lewis, Hank Ballard, and Carl Perkins -- don't sell diddly-squat compared to the latest '60s day-glo reissue or disco box sets that regularly get all the critical kudos.
To stem this tide and right this historical wrong (and no doubt shed a little light onto the darker regions of Rhino's catalog in the bargain; remember, there are still bean counters to answer to), comes this delightful four-disc collection of everything that's right about original rock and roll. There aren't any safe, cutesy Bobbies or Frankies aboard, no cloying novelties that barely passed for the real thing in the early days. What is included here is just the raw stuff that set jukeboxes and radio dials aflame, and spread the word that rock and roll was something new, fun, wicked, and dangerous.
There are front-line hits from Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Little Richard, Buddy Holly, Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, and Gene Vincent, as well as sides from all of those who were influential beyond their lowly chart status (kudos to Rhino on this point alone). There are rockabilly classics galore from names both famous and super obscure (more points in their favor), R&B and jump from pioneers like Louis Prima, Wynonie Harris, Big Joe Turner, Amos Milburn, and LaVern Baker, and offbeat instrumentals, like "Woo-Hoo" by the Rock-A-Teens, that stand as testaments to rock and roll's do-it-yourself spirit.
You could call this box the ultimate cruising set, except that you'll be driving 20 miles per hour faster than you were planning on once this baby starts blaring. The transfers are excellent and there are top-notch essays from Billy Vera, Michael Ventura, and producer Gary Stewart that put the music in perspective. Those searching for perfect prom night or wedding reception music are advised to look elsewhere; "At the Hop" this ain't. (Cub Koda, Allmusic)
trax disc 3:
1. Summertime Blues - Eddie Cochran 2. Tutti Frutti - Little Richard 3. Raw-Hide - Link Wray 4. Who Do You Love? - Bo Diddley 5. See You Later, Alligator - Bill Haley 6. Rockin' Bones - Ronnie Dawson 7. Splish Splash - Bobby Darin 8. Bo Diddley - Bo Diddley 9. Bye Bye Love - The Everly Brothers 10. Oh, Boy! - Buddy Holly & The Crickets 11. Whole Lotta Lovin' - Fats Domino 12. Little Bitty Pretty One - Thurston Harris 13. Chantilly Lace - The Big Bopper 14. Honey Don't - Carl Perkins 15. Go! Go! Go! - Roy Orbison 16. Forty Days - Ronnie Hawkins 17. Rocket 88 - Jackie Brenston 18. Frenzy - Screamin' Jay Hawkins 19. Koko Joe - Don & Dewey 20. King Kong - Big "T" Tyler 21. Ubangi Stomp - Warren Smith 22. Flyin' Saucers Rock & Roll - Billy Lee Riley 23. Blue Suede Shoes - Carl Perkins 24. Rockin' This Joint Tonite - Kid Thomas 25. Honey Hush - Johnny Burnette 26. Yakety Yak - The Coasters 27. Crazy Country Hop - Johnny Otis 28. Rumble - Link Wray
ripped from CD in glorious monoloudarama!
…originally served by Gyro1966...
%2045%20-%206427B.png)
.jpg)
%2001.jpg)
