Good Rockin' Tonight: The Legacy of Sun Records

Paul McCartney (Author), Jimmy Page & Robert Plant (Author), Jeff Beck & Chrissie Hynde (Author), Van Morrison & Carl Perkins (Author), Eric Clapton (Author), Tom Petty (Author), Bob Dylan (Author), Matchbox Twenty (Author), Elton John (Author), Sheryl Crow (Author) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD
• ASIN: B001OXXFZ4
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #678,978 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Most of the artists on this tribute to Sam Phillips's legendary Memphis label have chosen to cover the rockabilly hits. It isn't until a genuine Sun rockabilly artist--the late Carl Perkins--makes an appearance, joining Van Morrison for Howlin' Wolf's "Sittin' on Top of the World," that things briefly get bluesy. Instead, Paul McCartney, Jeff Beck, Chrissie Hynde, Tom Petty, and Bryan Ferry all offer up loving, note-for-note recreations of early Elvis tunes, even if it was Jerry Lee Lewis, not Elvis, who recorded a cover of "Don't Be Cruel" (Ferry's tune) for Sun.

But Elton John and Mandy Barnett both do The Killer (Lewis) proud here, as Sheryl Crow later does for Charlie Rich, and Led Zep's Page & Plant do for Sonny Burgess. Especially marvelous is Bob Dylan's subtle and, at times, hilarious take on Warren Smith's "Red Cadillac and a Black Moustache." It's a career highlight and every bit as enchanting as Robert Gordon's '70s cover version. Like the label itself, there are more hits than misses here. --Bill Holdship

Track Listing

1. That's All Right - Paul McCartney

2. Mystery Train - Jeff Beck/Chrissie Hynde

3. My Bucket's Got a Hole in It - Jimmy Page/Robert Plant

4. Blue Suede Shoes - Johnny Hallyday

5. Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On - Elton John

6. Blue Moon of Kentucky - Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers

7. Sittin' on Top of the World - Van Morrison/Carl Perkins

8. Don't Be Cruel - Brian Ferry

9. Red Cadillac and a Black Moustache - Bob Dylan

10. Walkin' in the Rain - Eric Clapton/The Impressions

11. Lonely Weekend - Matchbox Twenty

12. Who Will the Next Fool Be? - Sheryl Crow

13. It Wouldn't Be the Same Without You - Chris Isaak

14. I Walk the Line - Live

15. Drinkin' Wine Spo-Dee-O-Dee - Howling Diablos/Kid Rock

16. (Untitled) - (hidden track)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars In a class of it's own!, January 3, 2009

By 

Patricia Hennessy "CD Cellar 4" (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Good Rockin' Tonight: The Legacy of Sun Records (Audio CD)

this is in a class of its own. Paul McCartney's version of "That's Alright, Mama" is a fine opener, with assistance from Scottie Moore and DJ Fontana from the original 1955 session. Jeff Beck is amazing on "Mystery Train," conjuring up licks from every era of rockabilly. Chrissie Hynde, though, sounds as though she is having a gastric attack. The Page/Plant track is so-so, but Johnny Halliday's "Blue Suede Shoes" makes up for it. The Dylan "Red Cadillac" is amusing, if a bit strained. But the highspots are Sheryl Crowe's track, "Who Will The Next Fool Be?" (surely a Clapton guitar role here?), Matchbox 20 on "Lonely Weekend" and Kid Rock, et al., on "Drinking Wine SpohdeeOhDee".
I'm old enough to remember the originals, and most of this CD is right up to standard. It was a shock to hear Carl Perkins with Van Morrison (obviously an older track), but it's a treat to hear him play some perfect guitar licks in the coda...

Oh, and Elton John's "Whole Lotta Shaking" is really cool...