Customer Reviews

Running Bear

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

 

 

Johnny Preston's voice was (and I understand still is) as good as any of the rockers including Jackie Wilson, Roy Orbison, Timi Yuro or Elvis. He was uneven in his selection of material. When he was good he was great, but unlike Mae West, when he was bad he wasn't better.The best songs here are "Feel So Fine" where Johnny works out his tonsils in a way that I can't imagine anyone surpassing. It is pure rock and roll. It is worth the price of the CD. "Charming Billy" is a superb update (1960) of the old folk tune. WINS Radio picked it as the favorite new song when it came out. It did not get high on the charts however. If you are a George Jones fan, you will enjoy his background vocal work (along with The Big Bopper and Bill Hall and Pappy Daily) on Johnny's #1 hit "Running Bear." The album liner notes are excellent. Even the lesser songs are fun to listen to. Teen-angst slow rock and hard driving rockabilly. This guy could still make a comeback. He should do an album with Brian Setzer and Dwight Yoakam and head for Conan O'brien's talent co-ordinator.

To be honest, once you get past the few hits the rest is rather pedestrian rockabilly with more of an eye on commerce than artistry. 28 tracks is certainly generous, and the booklet is of top quality. Still, one can understand why Preston never achieved enduring success with this choice of material - it just doesn't hold up well.

Johnny Preston gave his fans lots of wonderful music that they could enjoy over and over again. Johnny was exceptionally talented; and although he isn't remembered the way he deserves to be remembered, he still has his rightful place in history as a fine entertainer who could take any song and make it shine bright! Yes, we get a song or two with lyrics that are embarrassingly dated; but they still show off Johnny's superlative ability to sing. In addition, the quality of the sound on this CD is excellent and the artwork is very nicely done.

The CD opens with the title track, "Running Bear." To this day I still hear "Running Bear" on the oldies radio station; Johnny really gave blood to make this number a special one. The backup singers are great but Johnny never really needed backup--he was quite a singer on his own. "Cradle of Love" has a dynamic, early rock and roll flavor to it even if I'm not too keen on the actual lyrics; and "Feels So Fine (Feels So Good)" is excellent music that I could never tire of hearing! I also enjoy hearing Johnny perform "Leave My Kitten Alone" with that outstanding music; "Charming Billy" which is also early rock and roll with some fine guitar and drums as Johnny sings this to perfection--and beyond; and "Chief Heartbreak" makes good use of the guitars and the drums, too.

"Do What You Did" is electric; this early rock song really showcases Johnny Preston's exceptional ability to perform. Johnny does this with all his might and it shows. Moreover, I really like "That's All I Want;" and that backup chorus harmonizes faultlessly along with some fine percussion. Great! "(I Want A) Rock and Roll Guitar" has Johnny speaking some of the lyrics; and "Kissin' Tree" is easily one of my personal favorites on this album. "My Heart Knows" gets the royal treatment from Johnny who delivers this with great sensitivity--and how's about that guitar? Johnny also handles complex tempo and key changes faultlessly. "Hearts of Stone" sounds terrific in Johnny's capable hands; and there's yet another gem in "Just Little Boy Blue" with that musical interlude that impresses me so much.

"Sitting Here Crying" is electric even though it's a rather melancholy tune; and "Chosen Few" really lets Johnny open up and bat this straight out of the ballpark! Johnny does this without ever letting go of a single superfluous note; and that's grand. "Up in the Air" is very well done; and the CD closes with two numbers, "Four Letter Word" and "New Baby for Christmas." If this genre of music is what you crave, it will leave you wanting more!

Johnny Preston gave a lot to his adoring fans; and maybe with continued sales of albums like this one he will once again be recognized for what he gave to us. I highly recommend this for his fans; and newcomers to Johnny would do well to add this to their music collections, too.

If you enjoy any of Johnny's hits, like Running Bear or Cradle of Love, you will enjoy this CD. The sound of the Mercury rock and roll records from this time period is unique and virtually all the tracks on this CD collection have that special sound. This is a very listenable CD with some really fun tunes on it for any fan of the 50's and early 60's rock and roll sound. "Rock and Roll Guitar" is a fun Christmas tune. A couple songs are quite politically incorrect by todays standards which makes them even more amusing-lets just say Running Bear isn't the only Native American reference song! I suspect after a few plays you'll find yourself singing along with most of these songs.

Terrific cd of the sound of yesteryear brought back by the golden tenor voice of Johnny singing the novelty songs for which he is well known. This is a definite keeper for those into nostaglia of the early 60's.

Recognizing Running Bear and Cradle of Love as absolute knock-out hits
of the early 60's and a must have for each record collector, the rest
of the songs are forgettable and often too much alike. One of the
minor "Collectables".