Jerry Lee Lewis - 18 Original Sun Greatest Hits

Jerry Lee Lewis

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 19, 1989)
• Original Release Date: 1984
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Rhino / Wea
• ASIN: B0000032D0
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #71,246 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
While Lewis's Sun sessions between 1956 and 1963 are legendarily eclectic (everything from Stephen Foster to Hank Williams to a rewrite of the Midnighters' "Sexy Ways"), this single-disc distillation sticks mainly to rock and country veins. The records that made the Killer a short-lived yet serious challenger to Elvis--"Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On," "Great Balls of Fire"--are here, in addition to lesser known but equally hot sides such as "It'll Be Me" and the blindingly dirty-minded "Big Legged Woman." A key collection from one of America's greatest recorded talents. --Rickey Wright

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stunning!, February 12, 2000

By	Hapworth (Palma de Mallorca, Spain) - See all my reviews

I agree with the review above, anytime you have a chance to find (and grab) the original recordings from a legendary artists, take advantage of it. Rhino is a great company that has devoted its time to restoring and making available material from everyone from Jerry Lee Lewis to Captain Beefheart to Alex Chilton.

This compilation of 18 classic Jerry Lee Lewis songs is a treasure. And can I tell you, as a 28-year old listener who was born well after Lewis's heyday (I was born in 1971), that this man's music still sounds as vital today as it did over forty years ago? I find myself bouncing along not only with the obvious radio hits (Great Balls of Fire and Whole Lotta Shakin Goin On), but the lesser-known cuts as well (I love Big Blon' Baby). Lewis, along with Little Richard, paved the way for piano-playing rockers, and Lewis also straddled the line between rock and country; fans of both genres will find much to savor here. I wholeheartedly recommend this fine disc.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "The Killer" in all of his original glory!, February 4, 1999

By	Jim Walls ([e-mail]) (Phoenix,Arizona) - See all my reviews

In this Cd,unlike so many Jerry Lee Lewis compilations,you get to hear the original Sun Records recordings of his best and most popular tunes.When you hear these songs,you begin to understand why his influence on later rock and roll artists is so strong.The Reckless intensity he displays here on such classics as "Whole lotta shakin' goin' on","Breathless",and on such wild and quirky versions of Ray Charles'"What'd I Say",and the old Hank Williams favorite,"Jambalaya",is rarely heard anywhere else in his long and storied career.If you want to find out what all the fuss was about,this Cd is a great place to start.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I do my little boogie woogie every day, September 30, 2003

By	Johnny Heering "trivia buff" (Bethel, CT United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Wow, who would have thought that Jerry Lee Lewis would be the last surviving Sun Records legend? After the wild life he lead, it's somewhat of a miracle. Now, on to the review. Jerry Lee Lewis recorded a ton of great material at Sun Records. Much more than the mere 18 songs recorded here. However, all 18 songs here are great, so I won't complain about that. I might have selected different songs if it was up to me, but that's just personal preference. Jerry only had five real hits at Sun Records, so any other songs included are debatable. My one real complaint would have to be the lack of liner notes. But that won't stop me from recommending the CD.