Customer Reviews

Rock & Roll The First 50 Years: The 50s

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

 

 

These twenty-six selections represent some of the very best that rock 'n' roll's earliest years had to offer. Focusing on the years 1956 through 1959, the album would be more accurately titled "The Third, Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Years," making the point that these are the essential roots of all that bloomed over the succeeding 46 years.

Varese's done an exemplary job of pulling together numerous strands of music that were (often retroactively) dubbed "rock 'n' roll." As this collection demonstrates, the tapestry of rock 'n' roll included threads of country, R 'n' B (from New York, New Orleans, and beyond), doo-wop, vocal pop, piano- and sax-driven barnburners, and rockabilly. Of particular interest is Sonny Dae and His Knight's rare jump-jazz rendition of "(We're Gonna) Rock Around the Clock," which shows the source, but not the rock 'n' roll bite of Bill Haley's subsequent cover.

Rock 'n' roll's formative years were born of an amazing fusion that burst open with incredible originality and vitality. Varese's captured a compelling swath of the highlights (with tracks 15, 20, 24, and 25 in true stereo) on this richly programmed disc. It's far from a complete picture - without Elvis, Holly and Berry, it could hardly even suggest itself to be - but it's a fun spin full of seminal rock 'n' roll sides. Together with period photos and artwork, and Bill Dahl's informative liner notes, this package shows ever-so-clearly that they just don't make 'em like they used to. Not even close.

Rock & Roll The First 50 Years: 25 Top 10 Hits Of The 50s
This collection features many of the biggest and most influential recording artists of the 50s like Little Richard, Fats Domino, Ricky Nelson, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, The Everly Brothers, Jackie Wilson, Bobby Darin and more. Includes 25 top 10 hits, 16 of which were #1 chart records. Features the bonus track "Rock Around The Clock" by Sunny Dae and His Knights. This rare pre-Bill Haley & His Comets version was released months before Bill Haley recorded the song that was considered the beginning of Rock and Roll.

Rock & Roll The First 50 Years: The 50s is a single CD with twenty-six awesome tracks from the `50s. This CD is sure to please people who first heard these on the radio and newcomers to this genre will love this album! The sound quality is excellent, too.

Carl Perkins starts things off with an electric interpretation of "Blue Swede Shoes;" Carl sings this brilliantly and he never misses a note. The guitars make things sound even better and the beat is very catchy. Fats Domino also does "Blueberry Hill" with great sensitivity and this tune always brings back memories for me. "Whole Lotta Shakin' Going On" by Jerry Lee Lewis still sounds as good as it ever did; this early rockin' tune has a great piano arrangement and the electric guitars work wonders for the melody.

The Everly Brothers do their awesome hit "Bye Bye Love;" and "A White Sport Coat (And A Pink Carnation)" gets the royal treatment from Marty Robbins. This number has a great backup chorus that can't be beat and Marty sings this very well.

"La De Dah" by Billy & Lillie sounds as good as the first time I ever heard it; and Little Richard wails and rocks hand with his "Long Tall Sally." The brass arrangement lacks nothing--it's THAT good. Ricky Nelson's "Poor Little Fool" is a cute tune with a twist of country flavoring to spice it up; and listen also for "Tequila" by The Champs. I love those cries of "Tequila" on this number!

Bobby Day weighs in with his excellent tune entitled "Rock-in' Robin;" this always impresses me and the harmonizing is sublime! Frankie Avalon's "Venus" is easily another major highlight of this album; and I predict that you will like "Venus" very much.

The album ends with Sonny Dae And His Knights doing their "(We're Gonna) Rock Around The Clock." They sound great and they harmonize well; but compared to the Bill Haley version this pales somewhat. It's still a good number to end the album, however.

Overall, this CD gives us quite a few great numbers from the 1950s that a collector can't afford to be without. The sound is excellent and these tunes will bring back fond memories of the past for people who first heard these songs on the radio. I love this album and newcomers to this type of music should like it very much as well.

All the songs in this CD helped define rock n' roll and its such a perfect compilation of instrumentals and vocal hits. Songs like Honky Tonk part 2, Tequila, and Mack the Knife are essential for any 50s music fan, and a rare take of Rock Around the Clock. Its a pretty well put together compilation of old classics. All these are top 10 hits too, so it can't go wrong. It might not contain any Elvis or Chuck Berry but it doesn't need mainstream performers to be an essential rock n roll album.

Just drove north for the weekend and enjoyed this music all the way up and back. A great and varied collection of music memorabilia.

Love the CD. One of the best oldies I have ever heard. If you like the 50s and 60s you will love this. It is a must have. But It doen't cover 50 years in my opinion. Still a Great Album.