Customer Reviews

Good Rockin' Tonight: The Legacy of Sun Records

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

"Good Rockin' Tonight" is an excellent tribute to Sun Records, marred by a few clunkers. Paul McCartney turns in an upbeat, inspired performance of "That's All Right, Mama," including more lyrics than Elvis did in his version. Elton John passionately pounds the piano and does his best Jerry Lee Lewis style vocal on "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On." It's Elton's rockingest performance in years and my favorite track. Bob Dylan performs the obscure Warren Smith tune "Red Cadillac And A Black Moustache" in his unique style and remakes it into a Dylan classic. Like a fine wine, Dylan gets better with age. Bryan Ferry turns in a polished performance of "Don't Be Cruel". It wasn't a hit for Elvis until his RCA years, but Jerry Lee Lewis recorded a version of the song while he was at Sun records. Sheryl Crow does a bluesy version of the Charlie Rich classic "Who Will The Next Fool Be?", while Matchbox 20 rocks the house with a lively version of Mr. Rich's "Lonely Weekend." "It Wouldn't Be The Same Without You" is an obscure track that appeared on the Elvis "Sunrise" compilation. Chris Isaak sounds so much like a young Elvis that his version of the song could be mistaken for an outtake from "Sunrise." On the other hand, Live turn in an off-key performance of "I Walk The Line" which can't compare to the original Johnny Cash classic. The Howling Diablos and Kid Rock should be arrested for murdering the song "Drinkin' Wine Spo-Dee-O-Dee." They single-handedly prevented me from giving "Good Rockin' Tonight" a five star rating.

I usually hate these kinds of records -- recent duds include 'A Nod To Bob' and the 'Avalon Blues' collection. But 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...

This CD is very enjoyable and excellent quality. All the artists contribute great covers of the Sun Records songs, creative, often different from their usual styles. Some surprising performances!

My favorite is "Lonely Weekends" by Matchbox Twenty. This cut is so bluesy and funky, with outstanding musical performance by the group - superb vocals by Rob Thomas!! Shows the range of their musical abilities. To me, that cut is worth the price of the whole CD. I also really enjoy the cover by Sheryl Crow - very bluesy and gutsy.

Can't wait to see it on PBS!

what you see is what you're gonna get....the older artists on this cd (van morrison, mccartney, dylan, page, beck, clapton) stay truer to the sun sound than the newer artists (kid rock, matchbox 20, live). i personally like the truer-sounding artists better--i don't care about these newer bands' interpretations of classic tunes. but to each his or her own. it's cool to hear mccartney sing "that's all right" and clapton stands out with "walking in the rain." the dylan tune is wonderful, as is the hynde/jeff beck collaboration. if nothing else, if you don't own any of the original sun recordings, go get some!!

Everyone did a tremendous job of recreating this great collection of music, but whose lame idea was it to invite Kid Rock and his entourage? Sorry, but the stuff just doesn't fit here. I was going to buy this CD but that song really killed it for me. Live does a tremendous rendition of I Walk the Line. What a talented group of guys and I have never really heard their music before. And of course, who doesn't love Rob Thomas and Matchbox Twenty. It was great to hear Robert Plant and Jimmy Page again. It's so cool to see all the different generations collaborate on a common music form. I recall listening to Led Zeppelin in the '70s and my parents hated the music - thought is was loud and distasteful. Now I look at Plant and Page and they are both older than my parents were then, and they're still rocking! I always considered it young people's music then because it sort of was. Obviously, it isn't anymore! Nice to see the transformation of the music across generations like that. Ben Folds Five was great as well although their tune didn't make this CD. Maybe they could have cut the Kid Rock tune and slipped in the Ben Folds Five tune. But, Paul McCartney's rendition of That's All Right Mama is the best! Anyway, I would have given this 5 stars if it weren't for that Kid Rock cut but aside from that one, the CD is a winner.

I absolutely love this CD. I am a huge Matchbox Twenty fan and bought the CD to hear their rendition of Charlie Rich's Lonely Weekend. And they definitely didn't disappoint me. They absolutely ROCK on this song. My other two favorites are Sheryl Crow's and Eric Clapton's. The whole album is superb!! Buy it now. Also, don't forget to watch the PBS special on Nov 28th.

Being all too familiar with many of these songs I was curious to hear other artists interpretations.I was most impressed by Matchbox 20's cover of "Lonely Weekend",what a refreshing new spin on a true classic! Lead singer Rob Thomas takes this song to places it has never been before.Also noteworthy was Live's unique interpretation of "I Walk the Line." I much prefer the artists who took it upon themselves to do their own interpretation and not just copy the original,taking something that was good to begin with and transforming it,exposing the music to a new generation of fans.

When Sam Phillips opened the doors to Sun studios at 706 Union Ave. in Memphis back in the 1950's, little did he know that nearly a half century later the music would still pack a wallop. This album is rich in the traditions of rockabilly, R&B and country that permeated the region back in the day. The influence of the music flowed thrugh the blood of The Beatles in the past to Matchbox Twenty today. What a great listen... this album rocks. Rock and Roll lives on each and every track. Elton, Eric, Paul, Jimmy and Robert treat us to great interpretations of Sun classics and Live and MatchBox Twenty show us that their ain't no dust setling on them. A whole lot of shakin' went on in that studio and continues today!

This collection is indeed very good rockin tonight. I was stunned by Paul McCartney's vocal performance on "That's Alright". It is absolute perfection. Bob Dylan, Van Morrison, Eric Clapton, and Sheryl Crow will also bring a smile to your face and a shiver to your spine. Terrific collection of loving tributes and the listener will get a taste of gifted musicians from four decades. A record like this doesn't come around everyday. Go out and buy it. Now! You won't be sorry.

A tribute to Sun Records and not a cut from the Killer?? Jerry Lee Lewis lives right down the road from Sun Studio,so why was he excluded from a "tribute" to his old stable? For all who may not know,he still ROCKS,and does so with alot of gusto!! I did enjoy the Dylan cut,as well as McCartney,ChrissieHynde,Van and Carl,Kid Rock,Cheryl,and the rest,many of these tunes have been covered before,and were hits, many by the guy who was snubbed,Mr. Lewis! So what gives?? If the listener isn"t aware of Sam Phillips,the big "E",Carl,Killer,Cash,Warren Smith,Howlin Wolk ,Rufus Thomas and all the rest,then this will help open a door to some reat roots music for them,I found it refreshing overall.