Customer Reviews

Billboard Top Rock'n'Roll Hits: 1962

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

In 1988/9 Rhino introduced its superb "Top Rock'n'Roll Hits" (1955-1974) series featuring 20 years of music on 20 CDs at 10 songs per year / per disc. (Hey, neat-o!)

Then in 1993 Rhino reissued the discs in the subset spanning 1960-1969 thus creating two different versions of each in the process. Because these discs are available via Amazon Marketplace, who knows which ones you'll get if you buy them used! If this is important to you, be sure to ask the seller(s) before placing your order(s).

The most obvious visual differences between the two editions are the song titles on both the front covers and the actual CDs. The 1988/9 editions feature mixed-case titles. The 1993 editions feature uppercase titles.

The 1993 editions also have the songs listed on the covers in the same order in which they appear on the discs. The 1988/9 editions list the songs in an almost random order which can be very frustrating while the disc is being played.

The song selections are also different; some moreso than others. For 1962 only track 1 was changed.

1988 (1) The 4 Seasons, "Big Girls Don't Cry"
1993 (1) Booker T. & The MG's, "Green Onions"

In this case, I definitely prefer the 1993 edition because "Green Onions" is just so friggin' awesome! It's interesting that Rhino decided to swap out a song about crying with a song about onions. If it had been called "White Onions" there'd be no way those girls could hold back their tears no matter how big they are.

[Note: To my knowledge, the CDs spanning 1955-1959 and 1970-1974 have not been revised. One may also surmise that Rhino believes rock-n-roll died with the advent of disco since the title used for the discs spanning 1975-on-up is simply "Top Hits" - not to be confused, of course, with Rhino's other, similar series, "Top Pop Hits".]

Billboard Top Rock & Roll Hits: 1962 is a budget priced CD that has a fine ten tracks of great rock and roll hits from 1962. I give high marks to the reviewer who notes that there may still be a second, older edition of this CD floating around out there. Be sure to check the track listings with your seller before buying this album--you want the version you want, not the other way around!

Booker T. & The MG's begin the track set with their very, very famous tune called "Green Onions." The electric guitars rock great and the percussion is awesome. The keyboard work is great, too. No wonder "Green Onions" was such a big hit! You'll love it, too; I am sure of it.

Gene Chandler turns in a rock song with a dash of doo wop on his "Duke Of Earl;" this very romantic number features Gene singing perfectly and the backup harmonizing is flawless. I really like the musical arrangement, too. Listen also for Tommy Roe's cute "Sheila;" "Sheila" is a song that allows Tommy to sing of a woman he really likes.

Joey Dee & The Starliters do their positive electric "Peppermint Twist;" this tune is easily a highlight of this album and it still sounds as fresh today as it did the very first time I ever heard it! There are great electric guitars and the hand clapping makes the number even stronger!

Little Eva does her energetic "The Loco-motion" with all her heart and soul; you can hear it all with just one listen. Neil Sedaka does a great rendition of "Breaking Up Is Hard To Do" that reflects a certain innocence because this number is so beautifully arranged; and the CD ends with Freddy Cannon doing a rockin' ballad, "Palisades Park." "Palisades Park" is an awfully good number that stands the test of time. This is classic rock and roll.

Overall, for the low price (as of the time I am writing this) you get a good ten tracks out of this CD. I recommend this for fans of rock and roll music from the very early 1960s; and people who want to get to know the rock music from the very early `60s would do well to choose this CD.

Green Onions the cool hammond organ sound,one reason why i learned to play the keys
Duke Of Earl (before rap)
Soldier Boy the saxophone sendup harmony
Sheila tommy roe's buddy holly sound
Peppermint Twist-did you see joey d on the pbs doo-wop&pop special?
Locomotion written by carol king but i like the grand funk version better
The Wanderer hey its Dion's bad boy song
Breaking Up Is Hard to do, the 1st version by neil sedaka doo-wop style,great harmonies neil multi tracked
Johnny Angel a pleasing pop sound but does it try to hard for a dream?
Palisades Park a summer hit for the amusement park of that time
good listening in the car while driving

All these hits appear in their original versions with great sound quality.

Once again, we have 10 measly songs, all good ones. They were hits in 1962; I remember them well; I was there. They touched me. If you care about the chronology of hit songs, the times they represent, buy this CD. I just don't know why they don't charge $2-$3 more and double the number of songs on the CD. I can name 10 more just like them from 1962 but I won't bore you further. Four stars this time for too few songs.

This is a truly great collection of songs! My favorite from the group is"Johnny Angel"-I love that song!! The others are great,too and I highly recommend this cd for anyone who is a fan of 60s music!

Pleasant stuff - the early 60ies with some of its best hits, especially "The Locomotion" and "Johnny Angel".Voices and melodies in harmony. Sentimental maybe, but so what?

At that time, voices did not "drown" in noise from instruments ( well, rarely, then .... today that happens too often ).

Billboard has many great rock n roll hit compilations, but this is one of my favorites. Green Onions is a great instrumental hit, Duke of Earl is a timeless classic from doo wop, and Peppermint Twist Part 1 and the Locomotion were two of the most popular dances that year. All in their original versions!