One of the best purchases I have made on Amazon
MT57 | USA | 02/28/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is a terrific cd set. The music is generally from the late 40's and early 50's and comes from several different genres that eventually gave birth to what was named "rock and roll." The compilers' liner notes state that they disagree with the "conventional wisdom" that rock and roll consisted of white artists stealing from and imitating black artists. They contend that there was in fact greater fluidity, more of a back and forth transmission between white and black recording artists during the period than critics recognize. Thus, they pair a "white" version of each song with a "black" version to make their point. Some songs are first done by "white" artists and others are first done by "black" artists. I put the race in quotes because in some cases, e.g., the first song, which is described as a "white" version, the backing musicians are said to have been white but the singers were black. I think it is admirable that the compilers have produced a cd to support their musicological thesis, although I don't believe that they succeed in making the case. I found most of the "black" versions far more impressive as early "rock and roll." In large part, this is because the white audience at the time was used to crooners like Bing Crosby, etc., and most of the white singers on these tracks adopt a vocal style that is compatible with their audience's tastes, while the black artists sing in a freer fashion that eventually emerged as the dominant "rock and roll" singing style. Also the black versions use saxes to embellish the music while the white versions tend to favor fiddles. So there's just more power in the black versions. But the songs are great. A number of the lyrics surprised me with their obvious sexual allusions - these must have been way out of bounds of the mainstream radio at the time. And I just love the complete lack of self-importance of these performers. There's no "I am a rock star, my every thought is worthy of contemplation" or "I am revolutionizing the music of my time" in these songs. It's just musicians who probably lived on the road, played in small venues, didn't make a lot of money, recorded a song in probably a couple of hours, released it and went back on the road to gig. Very, very pure vibe to it all. Loved this cd and hope there are others like it to come."
Evalution of Rock-A-Billy
The Mean Eyed Cat | KNON Dallas, Texas | 02/06/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is a fantastic album, that shows the influence R & B had on Rock-A-Billy and early Rock & Roll. The song selection is great. And if you've never heard Big Mama Thornton's version of "Hound Dog" it alone is worth the price of the disc. Very well done and great R&B, Blues, Rock-A-Billy, Boogie Woogie and early rock-an-roll music.
The Mean Eyed Cat
KNON Radio 89.3
Dallas, Texas"
Track Listings (50) - Disc #1