West Coast Sock Hop [Original recording remastered]

Various Artists (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 23, 2006)
• Original Release Date: 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Label: Empire Musicwerks
• ASIN: B000FDEUUS
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #644,817 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Peanut Butter - Marathons

2. Big Boy Pete - Olympics

3. Johnny Guitar - Johnny Watson

4. Your Love - Tramps

5. The Living End - Scott Engel

6. (Baby) Hully Gully - Olympics

7. Live Wire Suzie - Robins

8. C. Percy Mercy Of Scotland Yard - Marathons

9. From Now On - Ray Agee

10. Joan Of Love - DeVilles

11. Your Kind Of Love - Little Joe Hinton

12. The Stomp - Olympics

13. Midnight Flyer - Tramps

14. Oh No - Robins

15. I Can't Help It - Wally Cox

16. Chicken Spaceman - Marathons

17. Good For Nothin' - Scott Engel

18. Just Like That - Robins

19. Shimmy Like Kate - Olympics

20. Ride On - Tramps

See all 30 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews

30 of the hottest early 60’s West Coast party platters from the vaults of the legendary Arvee Records label – from the shoulder shakin’ sounds of The Olympics "Hully Gully," the down home guitar groove of the immortal Johnny "Guitar" Watson, to the Marathon’s irresistible "Peanut Butter" - this sock – hop compilation will make you wander again through those unforgettable hours that these songs enlivened for you the first time around. They don’t make ‘em like these anymore – these records capture an American moment in time that can never be duplicated. These are the roots of early R&B and Rock N’ Roll – timeless music that lasts forever.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Take off your shoes and dance, December 28, 2006

By 

Annie Van Auken (Planet Earth) - See all my reviews
(TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: West Coast Sock Hop (Audio CD)

ARVEE was located in Los Angeles, and was started in 1958 by Richard Vaughn, who also owned lounge music label HI-FI records. ARVEE specialized in recordings for teens, with heavy emphasis on dance music, thus this album's title, WEST COAST SOCK HOP. The sound quality throughout the 30 tracks of this collection is nothing less than superb. Many of the original 45s of these songs sell for hundreds of dollars each, that is, if you can find them.

The Olympics, The Marathons, The Tramps and the Robins all recorded for ARVEE. Johnny "Guitar" Watson was an ARVEE artist. I had his 45 of Untouchable/Johnny Guitar when I was very young (I wonder what it would be worth these days?). Wally Cox recorded for ARVEE-- no, not the voice of Underdog and star of Hollywood Squares-- this is a different Wally Cox, a soul singer. "El Pizza" by Dudley is a humorous parody of Marty Robbins' hit, "El Paso." The Marathons, who remind me of the Hollywood Argyles, tell the story of a reluctant astronaut on "Chicken Spaceman." They also do "Peanut Butter," which got a lot of airplay in its day.

I do have one small complaint: This album's four page foldout liner notes-- the print is practically microscopic, and a challenge to the most acute eyesight. Other than that, this is a terrific package.

WEST COAST SOCK HOP will help Baby Boomers recall the dances of their youth: the Shimmy Shimmy, the Hully Gully, the Stomp, and others. And for those too young to remember, or collectors who may not have 600 bucks to shell out for one single 45, this is a great opportunity to sample a unique and prolific teen label from rock & roll's late golden age.