Flyin' Saucers Rock 'N' Roll - Riley, Billy Lee An
Shake Um Up Rock - Tyler, T. Texas
Red Hot Rockin Blues - Denson, Jim
Bang Bang - Isnard, Clavelle
One Hand Loose - Chastain, Joe
Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On - David, Sonny
Fujiyama Mama - Burrows, Earl
I Got a Rocket in My Pocket - Logsdon, James
Oh Love - Burden, Ray
School of Rock 'N Roll - McClung, James
Rock-N-Bones - Carter, Don
The rawest '50s rock retains an irresistible pop culture gravity: indeed, the farther one moves away from it in time, the more compelling--and often intoxicatingly alien--it can seem. Produced with fervent devotion by Rhin... more »o roots-rock veteran James Austin and featuring a detailed, track-by-track annotation by rockabilly guru Colin Escott, the 101 tracks on these four discs (fully a third of them making their American CD debut) reinforce that notion at every turn. The oft-dizzy, lust-crazed music here argues that the set's "punk" appellation is but marketing-driven redundancy, even as the range of its rockabilly riches gratifyingly defies the attempts of the set's contributing pundits and musicians (including James Burton, the legendary axeman on many of the tracks, as well as Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top, Rev. Horton Heat, and The Blasters' Dave Alvin) to define the genre. The set shrewdly uses expected contributions from Elvis, Carl Perkins, Buddy Holly, Link Wray, Jerry Lee, the Burnette brothers, and Gene Vincent as but familiar anchor points for a journey that bounces from coast to coast (and the UK, courtesy of Johnny Kidd's great "Shakin' All Over"), fueled by a high-octane brew of folk, country, and R&B on its ever-manic, guitar-driven thrill ride. Underappreciated pioneers like Bob Luman and Wanda Jackson are showcased along the way, as are early efforts by eventual stars in other genres (including Buck "Corky Jones" Owens, George "Thumper" Jones, and Canadian Ronnie Hawkins, later to become the Band). But it's the loopy, reverb and echo-drenched side of one-hit (and no-hit) wonders like Freddie and the Hitchikers' theremin-crazed "Sinners," sex romps like the Caraways' "Ballin' Keen," and John & Jackie's downright heated "Little Girl"--not to mention a virtual parking lot full of Cadillac tributes from Vince Taylor, Sonny Fisher, Larry Dowd, and Joyce Green--that are the true treasures of the set's pop archaeology. --Jerry McCulley« less
The rawest '50s rock retains an irresistible pop culture gravity: indeed, the farther one moves away from it in time, the more compelling--and often intoxicatingly alien--it can seem. Produced with fervent devotion by Rhino roots-rock veteran James Austin and featuring a detailed, track-by-track annotation by rockabilly guru Colin Escott, the 101 tracks on these four discs (fully a third of them making their American CD debut) reinforce that notion at every turn. The oft-dizzy, lust-crazed music here argues that the set's "punk" appellation is but marketing-driven redundancy, even as the range of its rockabilly riches gratifyingly defies the attempts of the set's contributing pundits and musicians (including James Burton, the legendary axeman on many of the tracks, as well as Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top, Rev. Horton Heat, and The Blasters' Dave Alvin) to define the genre. The set shrewdly uses expected contributions from Elvis, Carl Perkins, Buddy Holly, Link Wray, Jerry Lee, the Burnette brothers, and Gene Vincent as but familiar anchor points for a journey that bounces from coast to coast (and the UK, courtesy of Johnny Kidd's great "Shakin' All Over"), fueled by a high-octane brew of folk, country, and R&B on its ever-manic, guitar-driven thrill ride. Underappreciated pioneers like Bob Luman and Wanda Jackson are showcased along the way, as are early efforts by eventual stars in other genres (including Buck "Corky Jones" Owens, George "Thumper" Jones, and Canadian Ronnie Hawkins, later to become the Band). But it's the loopy, reverb and echo-drenched side of one-hit (and no-hit) wonders like Freddie and the Hitchikers' theremin-crazed "Sinners," sex romps like the Caraways' "Ballin' Keen," and John & Jackie's downright heated "Little Girl"--not to mention a virtual parking lot full of Cadillac tributes from Vince Taylor, Sonny Fisher, Larry Dowd, and Joyce Green--that are the true treasures of the set's pop archaeology. --Jerry McCulley
CD Reviews
Tip of the Iceberg
P. D. Mosenson | Morton, PA United States | 06/30/2006
(3 out of 5 stars)
"This is a nice sampling of classics 50s rockabilly. Some issues, however:
1. Fans of early 50s rock who may already own the previous Rhino box- Loud, Fast, and Out of Control, will note that many of the songs duplicate.
2. With 25 songs per CD, another 8-9 songs could have easily fit on each, since the tunes are so short.
Maybe we'll see a further exploration into 50s/early 60s rock one day.
3. If one combines this box with two others: As Good as it Gets:Rockabilly, and a CD called Rockabilly Riot, one would own most of the classic rockabilly hits missing off this box.
"
Rockabilly? Right ON!
Cool Cat | Springfield, OR USA | 07/02/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This is the bible of Rockabilly. I listened to all four of the CD's in one day. At first I thought it'd dilute the power of the music, on the contrary right after I finished listening I listened to some songs over again. I then went in to my music collection and listened to some more Rockabilly. The rawness, the energy, the raunch,and Hillbilly primitivism just drips like red blood off a freshly slaughtered cow. If you are fan of Rockabilly by all means get this. There is a book with liner notes and a couple of reviews from people who respect or play Rockabilly ( Although I'm not a fan of most of these new guys ) There is some knowns on here Elvis of course, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Ricky Nelson etc. But there is also alot of unknowns theres songs on this box that I've been looking high and low for like the " I'm going to murder my boyfriend for hucklebucking some other chick and drive to his funereal in a Black Cadillac" song by Joyce Green called what else "Black Cadillac", then the other is the drunken ode "Bloodshot" by the String Kings, the nasty song where Dorsey tells a chick " I want to conjugate with you" Bertha Lou by Dorsey Burnette, or the horror billy song by Kip Tyler about his hot witch girlfriend " She's my Witch". The list goes on and on. The reason I gave it only four stars is because the listeners are going to get gyped when they listen to the version of the song "Love Me" by the Phantoms on this box. This version is more restrained and the piss is taken out of it. The original version he just goes insane on this song. Not that this one is bad it just doesn't have the same version as the first take the nasty lyrics are still there. Another reason is the version of "Lordy Hoody" by Tommy Blake on this box is more restrained then the original "All Night Long" which is so much faster and looser. But that doesn't delude the power of the box set which is enormous. There is lots of craziness and insanity on this box set ( check out the late great Hasil Adkins and his song "Chicken Walk") This is highly recommended for Rockabilly fans. I know one of the reviewers said you can get most of these songs by buying other comps and boxed sets but the fact is alot of these songs haven't seen the light of day until now. I know I looked. This isn't recommended to Rockabilly begginners but for fans. If your a begginner or a fan who whats to hear the version above of the song I've just mentioned I'd suggest "Rockabilly Essentials" to get you started there you'll hear "Love Me" by the Phantoms in all its horny, dirty, fast, loud and spontanoeus glory and if you want to hear "All Night Long" by Tommy Blake listen to the "That'll Flat Git It" series.
All in all pretty awesome. If your a fan its something you can't do without."
Awesome Box!!!
Dave Wilson | Melting Icebergs, Planet Earth | 08/05/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is 1957-59 R&R that caused the do-gooders to jail Jerry Lee Lewis, put away Chuck Berry and get Elvis to sign up for a tour of duty. These are the songs that brought about Pat Boone and the like to cover/tone down R&B. These songs are about duck tail hair, switchblades, women with attitudes that had to be curtailed and moralized. This is rough, loud and out of control teenagers in the fifties.
What a great set by Rhino. I thought it was a little pricey but now I think it's an incredible addition to my 1000+ recordings of pre 1960 rock collection. Great book with incredible pictures and bio of the artists.
This set is awesome....buy it if you're looking for the real life soundtrack to "Asphalt Jungle" or James Dean movies!"
I can't believe how good this box is!
J. Seaman | Traverse City, MI | 10/07/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I've been listening to rockabilly music since the 50's and have been collecting 45's, LPs, and now CDs for almost 50 years. I thought I had heard it all, but I was wrong. Sure, some of the songs in this set are familiar, but many of them were totally unknown to me. On top of that, the sound quality is amazing, so even old favorites are exciting to hear. As if that wasn't enough, there is an excellent and informative booklet with great pictures. If you like this kind of music, you will not be disappointed."
Great addition to my collection!
Robert Wagner | Atlanta, GA | 07/30/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Paid a premium price for these discs, but it was worth it. Despite a few mainstream hits that could have been replaced with
more 'dangerous' songs, maybe by Gene Vincent for example, most of these songs are keepers - stuff I didn't know existed, and would be very hard to find on their own.
All in all, an excellent addition to anyone's 1950s music collection. For the most part, this is the stuff parents didn't want their kids listening to. Some of it was banned from the radio; a few songs the record companies would not put out. If you want a taste of the 'underground' music of the 50s, get this set."
Track Listings (25) - Disc #1