"early days of Rock & Rhythm ~ essential classics"
J. Lovins | Missouri-USA | 10/14/2004
(4 out of 5 stars)
"The ongoing series in Varese Vintage releases "Good Rockin' Tonight:25 Essential Rock & Rhythm Classics", featuring some of the pioneer labels Federal, DeLuxe and King Records of early '40s, '50s and '60s Rock and Rhythm tunes ~ many were at the top of the charts during those decades.
Influential artists are highlighted on this compilation ~ Hank Ballard & The Midnighters, Boyd Bennett & His Rockets, Jackie Brenston, Roy Brown, The Chanters, The Charms, Eddy Clearwater, Mac Curtis, Bill Doggett, The Dominoes, Charlie Feathers, "5" Royales, Wynoie Harris, Bull Moose Jackson, Little Willie John, Trini Lopez, Bonnie Lou, Big Jay McNeely, The Midnighters, Moon Mullican, Otis Redding & The Pinetoppers, The Sheiks, Joe Tex,Titus Turner and Young John Watson.
Many were number one "GOOD ROCKIN' TONIGHT" [Harris], "HAVE MERCY BABY" [Dominoes], "WORK WITH ME ANNIE" [Midighters], "HEARTS OF STONE" [Charms] and "HONKY TONK [Part 1 & 2] [Bill Doggett] ~ they were trail blazing hits that gave the world another slant on popular music of the day.
Hats off to Cary E. Mansfield and Bill Dahl [collection producers]...big thank you to Brian Giorgi and Bryon Davis, who were instrumental in tracing the early beginnings of rock and roll...from the vaults of the labels who led the way to the sounds we've come to know...gotta love it!
Total Time: 66:03 on 25 Tracks ~ Varese Records 66590"