V/A – Bear Family Records Rocks Vol. 1
Bear Family Records-BCD 17734
Fats Domino Be My Guest – Champion Jack Dupree Nasty Boogie – Lloyd Price Where You At? – Little Richard Good Golly, Miss Molly – Jimmy McCracklin Get Tough – Arthur Crudup I’m Gonna Dig Myself A Hole – Jimmy Reed She Don’t Want Me No More – Little Junior Parker I Wanna Ramble – Ella Mae Morse Have Mercy Baby – Roy Milton You Got Me Reeling And Rocking – The Cadillacs Holy Smoke Baby – The Midnighters Henry’s Got Flat Feet (Can’t Dance No More) – Bo Diddley You Can’t Judge A Book By The Cover – Smiley Lewis Lillie Mae – The Coasters Three Cool Cats – The Platters Out Of My Mind – Chuck Berry Reelin’ And Rocking – Slim Harpo Don’t Start Cryin’ Now – Clarence ‘Gatemouth’ Brown Boogie Uproar – Clyde McPhatter Deep Sea Ball – Piano Red She’s Dynamite – Big Joe Turner Morning, Noon And Night – The ‘5’ Royales Monkey Hips And Rice – The Treniers Poon-Tang – Louis Prima Jump, Jive An’ Wail – The Drifters No Sweet Lovin’ – Screamin’ Jay Hawkins Just Don’t Care – Amos Milburn One Scotch, One Bourbon, One Beer – Shirley And Lee I Feel Good – The Johnny Otis Show Good Golly
V/A – Bear Family Records Rocks Vol. 2
Bear Family Records-BCD 17735
Jimmy Cavallo and His House Rockers Rock, Rock, Rock – Ritchie Valens Come On, Let’s Go – Carl Mann Ubangi Stomp – Sonny Burgess Feelin’ Good – Marty Robbins Respectfully Miss Brooks – Roy Orbison Chicken Hearted – Scotty McKay Rollin’ Dynamite – Ronnie Hawkins Baby Jean – Glen Glenn One Cup Of Coffee And A Cigarette – Wanda Jackson Baby Loves Him – The Johnny Burnette Trio All By Myself – Ricky Nelson Milk Cow Blues – Roy Hall Diggin’ The Boogie – Carl Perkins Caldonia – Link Wray Raw Hide – Gene Vincent and His Blue Caps Hold Me, Hug Me, Rock Me – Buddy Knox My Baby’s Gone – Jerry Lee Lewis Birthday Cake (Keep Your Hands Off Of It) – Billy Lee Riley That’s Right – Dale Hawkins Four Letter Word (Rock) – Charlie Feathers Jungle Fever – Eddie Cochran Pretty Girl – Rusty York Sweet Love – Bill Haley and His Comets Where’d You Go Last Night – Bob Luman Wild Eyed Woman – Narvel Felts I’m Headin’ Home – Sanford Clark Usta Be My Baby – The Everly Brothers This Little Girl Of Mine – Sleepy LaBeff Ride On Josephine – Conway Twitty I Viberate (From My Head To My Feet) – Don Gibson Sea Of Heartbreak – Bobby Darin I Want You With Me – Frank Virtuoso Rollin’ An’ A’ Rockin’ – Mac Curtis Missy Ann – Jack Scott The Way I Walk
With over 70 volumes (and counting), each one better than the last, Bear Family’s Rock(s) series has built up a perfect anthology over the years, based on meticulous selections and robust booklets.
These two compilations bring together the best of the best from this series. For both, the selection reads like a Who’s Who of the genre, and it’s impossible to find a weak track. Volume 1 focuses primarily on the origins, drawing from the Blues and Rhythm ‘n’ Blues repertoire with a majority of African-American artists, while Volume 2 focuses on the Rock ‘n’ Roll and Rockabilly side, sometimes with a Country influence.
Once again, the German label cleverly avoids the pitfall of a simple best-of, by presenting tracks that we don’t necessarily expect. Here, there’s no Shame Shame Shame or Mystery Train for Smiley Lewis and Junior Parker, but rather Lillie Mae and I Wanna Rumble. Both volumes follow the same logic. Thus, on volume 2, for artists such as Carl Perkins, Dale Hawkins or Roy Orbison, instead of the eternal and well-known Blue Suede Shoes, Suzy Q or Rockhouse, we have respectively Caldonia, Four Letter Word (Rock) and Chicken Hearted. And these are just a few examples among many others.
Ultimately, these compilations of compilations are capable of appealing to the greatest number of people.
They will delight connoisseurs by offering them unusual compilations, but above all, they will allow novices to get a first taste with a cutting-edge selection, representing a fantastic gateway to deepening their knowledge.
Fred “Virgil” Turgis
Johnny “Guitar” Watson – Rocks
Bear Family BCD BCD17764
Hot Little Mama – Motor Head Baby – Looking Back – She Moves Me – Too Tired – Gettin’ Drunk – You Better Love Me – Gangster Of Love – Sweet Lovin’ Mama – I Say, I Love You – Deana Baby – Highway 60 – Oh Baby – Posin’ – Love Me Baby – Broke And Lonely – Ruben – Johnny Guitar – Space Guitar – The Bear – One Room Country Shack – I Got Eyes – Half Pint Of Whiskey – One More Kiss – Untouchable – Rat Now – Those Lonely, Lonely Nights – What’s Going On – Wait A Minute, Baby – Cuttin’ In
It’s almost tiresome to hear, but every release from the German label, regardless of the series (That’ll Flat Git It, Rocks, Gonna Shake This Shack, The Brits Are Rocking, etc.), is guaranteed to be impeccable on every level (sound, selection, booklet, iconography).
This new volume in the Rocks series, dedicated to the excellent and eclectic Johnny Guitar Watson, is no exception.
Watson’s career began in 1953 (under the name Young John Watson) and ended in 1996 with his death on stage in Japan.
Over the course of his forty-year career, Watson was a true jack-of-all-trades, starting out playing blues and rhythm ‘n’ blues, then branching out in the 1960s into soul, then funk, disco, and even rap, influencing generations of guitarists from Jimi Hendrix to the Vaughan brothers, and from Frank Zappa to Nick Curran.
This compilation focuses on the rich first ten years of his career. Watson initially plays piano for a few tracks, influenced by Amos Milburn. But it was when he truly devoted himself fully to the guitar (gaining his nickname from Nicholas Ray’s movie along the way) that he truly found and established his style. Drawing inspiration from Gatemouth Brown, Lowell Fulson, and T-Bone Walker, he developed a flamboyant and unique style with crisp, precise attacks, as demonstrated by his first masterpiece, the instrumental Space Guitar, which truly deserves its stratospheric description.
But Watson isn’t just a fabulous guitarist; he’s also a gifted singer in the vein of Ray Charles, his main avowed influence, as demonstrated by You Better Love Me and I Say I Love You.
As I mentioned in the intro, the selection is perfect, showcasing the full extent of Watson’s talent. Alongside blues and rhythm ‘n’ blues tunes, we find the mellow One More Kiss (with smooth harmonies), Those Lonely Nights with its New Orleans groove, Posin, a rocker tinged with a twist, Cuttin’ In with its superb string arrangements, and Deana Baby, a rocker worthy of Eddie Cochran, to name but a few.
A little gem that will keep company to your Gatemouth Brown album, released in the same series a few years ago.
Available here.
Etta James – Rocks
Bear Family BCD 17750
Tough Lover – Dance With Me, Henry – If It Ain’t One Thing – Seven Day Fool – W-O-M-A-N – Next Door To The Blues – Good Rockin’ Daddy – I’m A Fool – Shortnin’ Bread Rock – By The Light Of The Silvery Moon – Spoonful – The Wallflower (Roll With Me, Henry) – Plum Nuts – Something’s Got A Hold On Me – Hickory Dickory Dock – I Just Want To Make Love To You – Tough Mary – Market Place – Good Lookin’ – Baby, Baby, Everynight – Pushover – What’d I Say – Baby What You Want Me To Do – Strange Things Happening – Hey! Henry – The Pick-Up – Come What May Etta James – My One And Only – That’s All
This latest addition to Bear Family’s always excellent “Rocks” series is no exception.
Unless you are an absolute and complete fan, and own everything, this disc is the perfect tool to discover or rediscover this immense artist that is Etta James. This compilation is mainly intended for those who, like me, have only a superficial knowledge of her or know her only through her hit At Last, or even through Beyoncé’s interpretation in Cadillac Records (but after all, you have to start somewhere). But it’s a safe bet that the most complete fans will jump on it, if only for the copious and richly illustrated booklet.
The 29 tracks in this collection cover the singer’s first ten years, from her first hit The Wallflower (Roll With Me Henry), still heavily tinged with Doo-Wop and which made her discovered by Johnny Otis in 1954, to 1963, when she released Etta James Rocks the House” from which Baby What You Want Me To Do and a mind-blowing version of What’d I Say are taken. During this decade, Rhythm’n’Blues evolved into Rock’n’Roll, as heard in the proposed selection. One can also find tunes that reflect the fashions of the moment like Twist or, more exotic, the Mambo. Like many African-American singers of this generation, Gospel also represents a major influence, evident in Something Got A Hold On Me. There are also some Blues of course, songs that would make Little Richard green with envy, such as Tough Lover and Dance With Me Honey on which we note the participation of Lee Allen and Earl Palmer. But above all this album is full of juicy Rhythm’n’Blues, which are the perfect vehicle for this magnificent, powerful, and expressive voice to express itself.
Buy it here.
Ike Turner – Rocks
Bear Family BCD17679 [2024]
Just One More Time – Much Later – Matchbox – Hey Hey – Sad As A Man Can Be – The Groover – (I Know) You Don’t Love Me – The Rooster – Rocket ‘88’ – Box Top – Jack Rabbit – Early Times – The Big Question- Hoo-Doo Say – Trouble Up The Road – Peg Leg Woman – It’s Gonna Work Out Fine – Katanga – Do You Mean – I’m Tore Up – Steel Guitar Rag (Square Dance) – She Made My Blood Run Cold – Ho-Ho – That’s All I Need – Gonna Wait For My Chance – No Coming Back – Walking Down The Aisle – Go To It – Do Right Baby – Lookin’ For My Baby – Potatoe Mash – In Your Eyes Baby – Loosely
In the musical field, Ike Turner (1931-2007) is mainly known for two things: the duet he formed with Tina Turner (and the hits that followed) and Rocket 88, recorded in 1951 with Jackie Brenston under the leadership of Sam Phillips who many consider to be one of the founding elements of Rock’n’Roll.
Aside from these two things, the public knows little or nothing about Ike Turner’s career. Fortunately, this copious (33-track) compilation in Bear Family’s “Rocks” series repairs this injustice. It covers ten years of Turner’s career, from the recording of Rocket 88 in 1951 to 1961, when Ike decided to concentrate fully on the duo he formed with Tina.
Turner’s career is much richer and more complex (some might say labyrinthine) than it seems. Between his work as a session man as a guitarist or pianist, his activity as a producer and talent scout, and the sides recorded under his name (without forgetting the pseudonyms), it is difficult for the amateur to find his way around. These 33 titles offer a clearer vision and a complete panorama, which allows us to measure the extent of his talent better.
We, therefore, find him playing the piano behind Jackie Brenston or on the excellent instrumental Loosely, showing the influence of Pinetop Perkins, who had taught him the basics of the instrument.
He sang occasionally (but he himself admitted that he didn’t particularly like it). Moreover, even when he is credited with vocals, it is not necessarily him; thus, the “Ike” that Tina calls out on the sublime It’s Gonna Work Out Fine is, in reality, Mickey Baker. This aversion (and his bad temper) probably explains the number of singers who parade within the Kings Of Rhythm and other groups led by Turner, as well as the ease with which Turner and the Kings Of Rhythm adapt to the singers they backed for Federal in particular.
In fact, what Turner really enjoyed was leading the band. Even if he played little or nothing, he set the direction for musicians and vocalists through his compositions and the energy he gave.
And there is, of course, his extraordinary guitar playing. This is what the listener notices, and what captivates him, first and foremost on this record. It’s hard to believe that Turner chose this instrument by default because he couldn’t find a permanent guitarist for his band (moreover, Bonnie Lee, the singer in his group at the time, also played the piano). To say the least, Turner quickly learned how to master his new instrument, particularly the Fender Stratocaster and he developped a characteristic use of the whammy bar.
Whether playing rhythm guitar, where he imposes a relentless groove, or during brilliant instrumentals, where he lets all his inventiveness shine, drawing from Duane Eddy at times or Gatemouth Brown at others, he is always surprising and inventive, as evidenced by his unbridled rereading of Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys’ Steel Guitar Rag. And most of the time, his guitar playing steals the show.
To acquire urgently!
https://www.bear-family.fr/turner-ike-ike-turner-rocks-cd.html
Mac Curtis – Rocks
Bear Family BCD 17719 [2023]
Wake Up Rock’n Roll Rock-A-Baby – Real God Itch – What You Want – Goosebumps – Hard Hearted Girl – Little Miss Linda – That’s How Much I Love You – Sidething – Don’t You Love Me – That Ain’t Nothing But Right – Half Hearted Love – You Ain’t Treatin’ Me Right – If I Had Me a Woman – Say So – Just So You Call Me – Grandaddy’s Rockin’ – You Oughta See Grandma Rock – Party Line – Rockin’ Mother – No – Good Rockin’ Tomorrow – For Your Love – Missy Ann – You Are My Very Special Baby – The Low Road – How Long Will It Take – Good Love, Sweet Love – Been Gone a Long Time – Hey Hey Little Lady – Show Me the Money – Little Mama Have Mercy – John Lewis – Flat Top Cat (dedicated to Mac Curtis)
I can’t imagine anyone seriously interested in Rockabilly not knowing the name of Mac Curtis and how great he was. But, since the genre is still alive and well and the scene is generating new fans, it’s a mighty good idea from the venerable German label to add Mac Curtis to his flawless “Rocks” series.
The very fact of introducing the genius of Mac Curtis to a new generation would justify the existence of this compilation. But its interest goes beyond that. This collection brings together almost all the King sides (perhaps missing one or two tracks but of lesser importance). Still, it goes beyond the 50s to add recordings from different periods of his career, including the sides recorded for Rockin’ Ronny Weiser on Rollin’ Rock in the early 70s, as well as three tracks from his album released in 1998 on Vinyl Japan/Jappin’n’Rockin on which the excellent Rimshots accompanied him.
Whatever the era, Curtis remains a master of Rockabilly. His King sides are flawless and should be studied by all aspiring singers and songwriters interested in this type of music. Very few before or after him achieved this perfect balance between his rich and warm voice, the hiccups typical of Rockabilly and stripped-down instrumentation, including at times a huge double bass sound. It’s very well done on the part of Bear Family to have kept in its selection the dark and sinister The Low Road, one of Curtis’s peaks.
After working as a DJ and recording country-inspired albums (see the recent reissue on Bluelight), Mac Curtis returned to his Rockabilly roots in the early 1970s under the leadership of Ronny Weiser. The songs recorded for Rollin Rock are wilder and rawer in terms of sound but perfectly capture the energy and urgency of this music. They perfectly complement the King’s sides.
Finally, the three tunes recorded with the Rimshots conclude this selection in style. Curtis is in great form, and the Rimshots were one of the best bands on the scene at the time. As a bonus, you have a song written and performed by John Lewis of the Rimshots as a tribute to the singer.
Very intelligently, the songs are not presented in chronological order, which allows you to navigate between periods and eras while being constantly surprised.
As usual, the label has done things well, and a copious and complete booklet accompanies the disc.
If you are new to the work of Mac Curtis, this compilation is exactly what you need. If you already know him, it may also interest you because you may very well discover some gems there.
Available here.
Frank Virtue & the Virtues – Rock
Bear Family BCD 17533
Esquire Boys – Guitar Boogie Shuffle / Esquire Boys – Rock-A-Beatin’ Boogie / Frank Virtuoso & The Virtues – Rollin’ And A Rockin’ / Frank Virtuoso & The Virtues – Toodle-Oo Kangaroo / Frank Virtuoso & The Virtues – Good Bye Mambo / The Rhythm Rockets – Stranded In The Jungle / Tom Friday & The Rhythm Rockets – Hallelujah, I Love Her So / Frank Virtuoso – Corinne, Corinna / Frank Virtuoso – Fever / Joe Fortunato & The Rhythm Rockets – Roll Over Beethoven / Frank Virtuoso – Rattle My Bones / The Rhythm Rockets – Boppin’ The Blues / Frank Virtuoso – Mambo Rock / The Rhythm Rockets – Rip It Up / Frank Virtuoso Quintet – Go Joe Go / Frank Virtuoso & The Virtues – Hop, Skip, Jump and Mambo / Frank Virtuoso – Straighten Up And Fly Right / Frank Virtuoso – Let’s Have a Party / Frank Virtuoso & His Men of Virtue – My Constant Love / Frank Virtuoso & His Men of Virtue – I’m Going Home / The Virtues – Guitar In Orbit / The Virtues – Guitar Boogie Shuffle / The Virtues – Flippin’ In / The Virtues – Shufflin’ Along / The Virtues – Virtue’s Boogie Woogie / The Virtues – Pickin’ The Stroll / Frank Virtue & The Virtues – Highland Guitar / Frank Virtue & The Virtues – Marching Guitars / The Virtues – Guitar Boogie Twist / The Virtues – Guitar Shimmy / The Frank Virtue Combo – Manhunt / The Twangy Rebels – Rebel Rouser “65”
This compilation sheds light on a relatively obscure (at least for me) figure. Frank Virtue was a bass player from Philadelphia who recorded many sides under his own name or with various bands.
The first two songs find Virtue playing bass with the Esquire Boys, featuring none other than the great Danny Cedrone, the genius behind the hot guitar solo of Rock Around the Clock.
When Virtue formed his own combo (Frank Virtuoso and the Virtues), the Haley craze was at its peak. The influence of the man with the kiss curl can be heard on all these numbers, featuring sparkling guitar, hot sax and infectious beat. The sides recorded under the Rhythm Rocket moniker are less interesting. Being produced for budget labels, they lack originality and try too hard to sound like the original versions.
Then Virtue switched back to Frank Virtue (without a band name) and put on wax a batch of great tunes from Little Willie John’s Fever to King Cole’s Straighten Up and Fly Right. The sound falls halfway between the Jodimars and Haley’s stuff sung by Billy Williamson. Virtue is not the greatest singer, but he compensates with enthusiasm and energy.
Another incarnation was Frank Virtuoso and his Men of Virtue. The songs are less rocking and more pop-oriented and mellow. Yet the quality of the musicianship remains, as proven by the guitar on I’m Going Home.
Go Joe Go, recorded under the Frank Virtue Quintet name, is one the best track of this compilation: a fantastic jazzy yet rocking instrumental. More instrumentals were cut under various monikers, mixing Arthur Smith and Duane Eddy (and for some with a touch of Twist) or the atmospheric and reverb-laden Manhunt.
Eddie Cochran – Rocks
Bear Family BCD 17136
Pink Peg Slacks – Blue Suede Shoes – Long Tall Sally – Twenty Flight Rock – Completely Sweet – Pink Peg Slacks – Mighty Mean – Skinny Jim – One Kiss – Mean When I’m Mad – Am I Blue – Twenty Flight Rock – Completely Sweet – Stockings And Shoes – Cradle Baby – Sweetie Pie – Pretty Girl – Jeannie Jeannie Jeannie – Teenage Cutie – Little Lou – Cruisin’ The Drive-In – Nervous Breakdown – Summertime Blues – Ah Pretty Girl – Nervous Breakdown – Let’s Get Together – Teenage Heaven – C’mon Everybody – My Way – Teenage Heaven – Weekend – Somethin’ Else – Jelly Bean – Don’t Bye Bye Baby Me – Cut Across Shorty
If someone would come to me asking “What is Rock’n’roll?”, the best answer I could give would be “Listen to Eddie rocks… on Bear Family”.Though I consider Bill Haley as the true father of Rock’n’roll, I believe that Eddie Cochran, who died at only 21 in 1960, inspired more musicians. Songs like Something Else, C’mon Everybody and Summertime Blues have been played one day or another by the Who, the Sex Pistols, T-Rex, Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen and many more. Only Chuck Berry can claim the same score.
This collection focuses on Eddie Cochran’s solo releases (no Cochran brothers here) and rockers only (no ballad, no instrumentals, no hillbilly). You won’t be disapointed and BearFamily being the perfectionnists we all know couldn’t help but include a rarity even on a “best-of” collection, namely the original version of Cut Across Shorty at the correct speed the song having been speeded up for its release.
Scotty McKay – Rocks
Bear Family BCD 17519
Rollin’ Dynamite – Tommy & The Tom Toms: Baby Let’s Play House – The Girl Next Door – Bad Times (Acetate) – I’ve Got My Eyes On You – You’re So Square – I’ve Been Thinkin’ – Little Miss Blue – Be-Bop-A-Lula – Let It Rock – Evenin’ Time (Acetate) – Midnight Cryin’ Time – Tommy & The Tom Toms: Somebody Help Me – Don’t Wait (Key C) (Acetate) – Tommy & The Tom Toms: Oh Boy – Roberta – Rollin’ Danny (Acetate) – Tommy & The Tom Toms: So Tough – Pull Down The Sky – Who Do You Love – All Around The World – Waikiki Beach – Cry Me A River (Acetate) – Little Lump Of Sugar – Sea Cruise – Tommy & The Tom Toms: You Can’t Catch Me – Dixie Doodle Dandy – Tommy & The Tom Toms: Jambalaya – Evenin’ Time – Scotty McKay Quintet: The Train Kept A Rollin’ – Don’t Wait (Key F) (Acetate) – Tommy & The Tom Toms: It’s Too Late.
Scotty McKay – real name Max Lipscomb – first made a name by playing guitar and piano with Gene Vincent and the Blue Caps during the December 1957 sessions that resulted with, among other gems, Baby Blue.
His tenure with Vincent was brief, and Lipscomb/McKay debuted a solo career. This compilation gathers sides recorded between 1959 and 1967. This period saw the music changing fast, and it’s not very surprising to find a wide array of styles performed by McKay and his different bands.
The connection with Gene Vincent remains strong with covers of Be Bop A Lula and Rollin Danny. But there’s also some sizzling Rockabilly with Baby Let’s Play House recorded under Tommy and The Tom Toms’ name. Next to these sides, one can find a bit of Rhythm’n’Blues (Roberta, Midnight Crying Time), and a fantastic soul-tinged number with mean guitar and harmonica (I’ve Got My Eyes On You.) McKay proves to be a more than competent singer on the more tuneful sides whether he shows inspiration from Elvis (The Girl Next Door) or Ricky Nelson (You’re So Square.) But he excels when he sings frantic rockers like Bad Times, Evenin’ Time, and of course Rollin’ Dynamite. Highly recommended to is All Around the World, a garage/psychedelic influenced version of Titus Turner’s tune and an amazing garage version, inspired by the Yardbirds of The Train Kept A Rollin.
Link Wray – Rocks
Bear Family – BCD17600
Raw-Hide – Batman Theme – Tijuana – Slinky – Right Turn – I’m Countin’ On You* – I’m Branded – Hand Clapper – The Swag – Comanche – Deuces Wild – El Toro – Ain’t That Lovin’ You Baby – Studio Blues – Hang On – Jack The Ripper – Turnpike USA – The Black Widow – Big City After Dark* – Danger One Way Love* – Dance Contest – Run Chicken, Run – Pancho Villa – Radar – Mary Ann – The Outlaw – Hold It* – Dinosaur – Big City Stomp – The Shadow Knows – Dixie Doodle – Ace Of Spades – Mr. Guitar – Rumble
*Ray Vernon
While the Rock’n’Roll Hall of Fame continues to ignore Link Wray, the Shawnee guitar player receives the Bear Family treatment with a 35 tracks compilation album in the “Rock” series. All things considered, he’s in a better company on the German label than with the likes of Madonna, Pink Floyd, Donna Summer, and al.
I hope Link Wray needs no introduction. His simple, straight-in-your-face and powerful guitar style influenced countless guitar players, from The Who’s Pete Townshend and Jimmy Page to Eddie Angel, Billy Childish, and Poison Ivy.
There have been quite a few Wray’s compilation albums on the market, but none as good nor as this one. And the fact that Bear managed to license sides from more labels than its competitors makes it one of the most complete too. Between Rawhide, the opening track, and Rumble the last one, and next to hits like Run Chicken Run and Jack The Ripper, you’ll find a whole panorama of Wray’s recordings between 1958 and 1965, including some lesser-known tune but by no means, songs one could consider as fillers. Among the rare tracks are songs recorded by Link’s brother under his name (Ray Vernon) and two numbers sung by Link Wray’s himself (Mary Ann and Ain’t That Loving You Baby.)
As usual with Bear Family, it comes with a thick booklet, including a story by Bill Dahl, rare photographies, and a discography.
Ricky Nelson – Rocks
Bear Family BCD 16856
Shirley Lee ~ Stood Up ~ Be-Bop Baby ~ If You Can’t Rock Me ~ Waitin’ In School ~ Your True Love ~ Boppin’ The Blues ~ My Bucket’s Got A Hole In It ~ Baby I’m Sorry ~ Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On ~ Am I Blue ~ Believe What You Say ~ There’s Good Rockin Tonight ~ Down The Line ~ I’m Walkin’ ~ My Babe ~ I’m In Love Again ~ There Goes My Baby ~ I Got A Feeling ~ One Of These Mornings ~ You Tear Me Up ~ It’s Late ~ Hey Pretty Baby ~ Don’t Leave Me ~ Just A Little Too Much ~ You’ll Never Know What You’re Missing ~ Mighty Good ~ Milk Cow Blues ~ Stop Sneakin’ Around ~ I’ve Been Thinkin’ ~ Ain’t Nothin’ But Love ~ Travelin’ Man ~ Hello Mary Lou.
With his angel face and soft voice Ricky Nelson has been too hastily pigeonholed as a Teenage Idol. But Ricky, who was a huge fan of Carl Perkins, had a guenine love for Rockabilly. With the help of songwriters like the Burnette brothers and guitar aces like Joe Maphis and the young but talented James Burton he cut a serie of solid rockabilly numbers – maybe on the soft side (sure he wasn’t Charlie Feathers) but none the less Rockabilly. If you only know him from the movie Rio Bravo, the song Teenage idol, the later Garden Party or the country sides from the second part of his career this cd is the occasion to discover the rockin’ side of Ricky Nelson (and I bet that pretty soon you’ll buy the boxed sets).
https://www.bear-family.fr/nelson-ricky-ricky-nelson-ricky-rocks.html
Bill Haley – Rocks
Bear Family BCD 16807
Rock Around The Clock – Shake Rattle And Roll – Dim Dim The Lights – Happy Baby – Mambo Rock – Rocket ’88 – Birth Of The Boogie – Razzle Dazzle – Two Hound Dogs – Rock The Joint – Burn That Candle – Rock-A-Beatin’ Boogie – See You Later, Alligator – Real Rock Drive – The Saints Rock And Roll – A.B.C. Boogie – R-O-C-K – Crazy Man Crazy – Hot Dog Buddy Buddy – Rockin’ Through The Rye – Rip It Up – Fractured – Rudy’s Rock – Choo Choo Ch’Boogie – Don’t Knock The Rock – Live It Up – Forty Cups Of Coffee – Skinny Minnie – Lean Jean – Where Did You Go Last Night? – Green Tree Boogie.
Bill Haley’s greatest hits have been compiled over and over again , mostly on budget series with ugly covers and no liner notes. It is justice that the true father of Rock’n’roll finds his place in the Bear Family’s Rocks serie because Bill Haley didn’t rock, he was the Rock (the same way Charlie Feathers was the rockabilly).
The core of this collection is made of the hits he cut for Decca in the wake of the success of Shake Rattle & Roll and Rock Around the Clock. Are also included some of his Essex sides when he first tried to mix Western swing with Rhythm’n’blues showing a man and band figuring how to find a new sound, how they succeeded and changed the face of the popular music.
That’s without a doubt the best thing from Bill Haley you could buy if you’re not fan enough to get the boxed sets ‘The Decca Years & More” and “The Real Birth Of Rock’n’roll”. As usual it comes with a thick booklet.
