Billboard Top Rock & Roll Hits: 1957

Billboard Top Rock'N'Roll Hits (Series)

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 25, 1990)
• Original Release Date: 1957
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Rhino / Wea
• ASIN: B0000032IO
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #28,080 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #44 in	Music > Miscellaneous > Compilations > Decades > 1950-1959
  #45 in	Music > Pop > By Decade > 1950s
  #93 in	Music > Pop > Compilations > Oldies

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars fine budget priced CD of oldies but goodies, January 30, 2008

By	Matthew G. Sherwin (last seen screaming at Amazon customer service) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)

Billboard Top Rock & Roll Hits: 1957 is a budget priced CD that still gives you ten big rock and roll hits from 1957. The quality of the sound is excellent and I like the artwork, too.

Elvis starts off the track list with his "All Shook Up." Elvis handles the tempo and key changes very smoothly as he always did; and the musical arrangement lacks nothing--it's THAT good. Elvis never sounded better and the percussion marks the best very well.

The Everly Brothers follow with "Wake Up Little Susie." The modulations between major and minor keys work very well; and this ballad shines while they harmonize and play the guitars so well. Paul Anka's "Diana" sparkles like brand new whenever I hear this; Paul sings this well and his excellent diction bolsters his performance even more.

Moreover, listen for The Crickets doing a great job on "That'll Be The Day." The musical interlude has plenty of room for some awesome guitars and percussion; and overall The Crickets perform "That'll Be The Day" very well.

Elvis returns for "Jailhouse Rock." Elvis sings this with all his heart and soul; the guitars make it shine and Elvis never misses a beat. "Jailhouse Rock" is a prime example of classic 1950s rock and roll.

Chuck Berry sings "School Day" with an awesome, catchy melody; and the album ends nicely with Jerry Lee Lewis performing "Whole Lot Of Shakin' Going On" with his comparatively high tenor voice. The piano arrangement couldn't be better and Jerry Lee Lewis sings this so well.

Overall, this budget priced CD gives people a great way to remember some of the very best rock and roll hits from 1957. It is also a great introduction to `50s rock and roll for newcomers to this genre of music.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Decent Gathering of Big, Big Hits, June 29, 1998

By A Customer

Most collectors will already have these tracks in their CD library, but neophytes and others who want only the cream of the rock & roll crop from 1957 will be pleased with this CD. All original versions.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Brings Back Warm Memories of 1957, October 25, 2001

By	John DePrisco (Wilmington, Delaware United States) - See all my reviews

The one thing I remember most about 1957 was that the Milwaukee Braves beat the New York Yankees in the world series, with Lew Burdette winning all three of his starts.

As for the songs of 1957 this album is a nice sample. As usual you can trust Billboard to give you the original hits by the original performers. "All Shook Up" is one of Elvis' better songs from his early years. "Wake Up Little Susie", Everly Brothers, was probably considered a little risque for the time. "Diana" was a top notch hit for Paul Anka and still sounds good after 40+ years. "Party Doll" and "That'll Be The Day" were hits that I was luke warm about even back then. "Jailhouse Rock" was a smash for Elvis, but it has lost it's flavor over the years.

"Little Darlin'" has always been my favorite record from the 50's. The first time I heard it was on the old tv show "Lucky Strike's Hit Parade". Since there was no such thing as oldies radio back then I didn't hear any more after it dropped off the "Hit Parade" chart. But a few years later I found a 78RPM version of "Little Darlin'" on the Mercury label, which I still have. No, that's not a typo, it reall is a 78RPM.
"Peggy Sue" was probably, imho, Buddy Holly's best record. "School Days" and "Whole Lotta Shaking Going On" round out this offering from Billboard.

If your looking for bang for your oldies buck this one is worth the price.