Search - Various Artists :: Rock 'n' Roll at 50: A Galaxy of Hits from Rock's First Decade

Absolutely primo box set!

David Mandau | Takoma Park, MD | 11/19/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"My kids got this for me for my birthday today, and I listened to the whole thing in one sitting. Absolutely first-rate collection of classic early rock, with some interesting obscurities thrown in for good measure. The booklet that comes with it is also a good read. It's everything good about oldies radio with none of the bad stuff--no repeats, commercials, or irritating jingles. This is the perfect gift for anyone who love oldies."

A First-Rate Collection from Rock 'n' Roll's Golden Era

Steve Vrana | Aurora, NE | 03/04/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"What's not to like? This sixty-song companion to the PBS documentary is an astonishing testament to rock 'n' roll's golden era. Nearly half of the artists represented here (26 by my count) have been inducted into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame. Beginning with Bill Haley's 1954 hit "Shake Rattle and Roll," these three CDs provide a crash course in everything from doo wop to soul to the British Invasion.



While many of these songs are frequently anthologized, there are a number of surprises. Instead of "My Boyfriend's Back," the Angels are represented by their debut hit from 1961, "'Til." Also, instead of hearing "It's My Party" for the umpteenth time, you get "You Don't Own Me." Lou Christie, who is best remembered for "Two Faces Have I" and "Lighting Strikes," is represented by "The Gypsy Cried." And Jack Scott (who I unfortunately NEVER hear on oldies radio) is represented by his million-selling 1958 hit "My True Love."



I do, however, have a couple issues with this box set. First of all is the sequencing. The songs are not chronological, so on disc-1 you get "Do Wah Diddy Diddy" (1964) following "Whole Lot of Shakin' Going On" (1957), and later on the same disc "Lady Willpower" (1968) follows "When You Dance" (1956). And how does "Lady Willpower" fit the box set title (A GALAXY OF HITS FROM ROCK'S FIRST DECADE)? If the oldest song is from 1954, shouldn't the set end with 1963--or 1964 at the latest? Moreover, 1964 is represented by 14 songs (almost a fourth of the total) and 1965 has the second-most songs with seven. [Also, 1966 has three and 1967, 1968 and 1969 each have one.] I'm not really upset with the emphasis on the mid- to late-sixties selections--as an aging Baby Boomer I think these are great songs--I'm just pointing out that there are twice times as many sixties songs (41), as there are fifties songs (19).



One final concern, with each disc averaging just over fifty minutes in length, the price is a bit steep. But when you look at the quality of music in this collection and the terrific 40-page booklet, this is an amazing collection. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED"