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Released 7 July

 

Rockin’ Rollin’ USA Volume 3 Canada

Various Artists

Pan American

It is time to get the motor running once more for another trip to Rockin’ Rollin’ USA. The latest ride from the Pan American label takes in another journey through Canada with rockabilly and rock ‘n’ roll performers who either made a name for themselves during the 50s and early 60s, or left behind a recorded work or two that went unnoticed only for the likes of Pan American to discover and give life to in the present. That’s the kind of album to expect with Rockin’ Rollin’ USA Volume 3 Canada and with the previous two excursions proving a success, there’s high hopes for this current volume. No connection whatsoever, Jim Morrison gets Volume 3 Canada off to a flying start with terrific ‘Ready To Rock’. The next few pitstops continue the rockin’ feel and with slight variations in tempo and styles with excellent Barry Boyd ‘You’re For Me’, The Showmen ‘Country Fool’, and vocal group The Willows and ‘Church Bells May Ring’. There’s rockabilly to rival many of the established names of the period with two sublime tracks in the shape of Dick Damron’s ‘Gonna Have A Party’, and The Rock-A-Tunes’ ‘You’re Some Kind of Nice’. During other stages of this car journey expect to hear some of the cutest country around with the Hachey Brothers and Mary Lou ‘Button Your Lip’, to an instrumental via Ken Davidson ‘Scotch Boogie’. Names of the time, and having appeared on other compilations include George Hamilton IV (‘If You Don’t Know’), Stoltz Brothers (‘Rock And Roll Riot’), Bernie Early (‘Your Kisses Kill Me’), and Janis Martin (‘Ooby Dooby’) making Rockin’ Rollin USA Volume 3 Canada more than a worthwhile acquisition for your record collection.


Released Out now

 

Rockin’ Rollin’ USA Volume 2 Canada

Various Artists

Pan American

Start the car, it’s time to go! Destination? Well, that’s easy, Rockin’ Rollin’ USA Volume 2 Canada. Various artists come together to take-up their allocated slot for the second volume in the revived series issued by Pan American. A fresh outlook of a former album series that was successful and now compiled by DeeJay Mark Armstrong and with artwork supplied by Henrique Sans, Rockin’ Rollin’ USA Volume 2 features another twenty-eight tracks from the years 1956 – 1963. With song selections chosen from regional and major record labels, there’s much to enthuse over when it comes to the featured country of Canada and the rockabilly and rock ‘n’ roll that was imitating the fast-emerging sounds elsewhere in America. This being a second visit to Canada, the “Teenage Boogie” of its additional title is highlighted greatly during ‘Eeny-Meeny Miney Moe’ from Bob and Lucille, which gets this album off to a flyer with a rhythm that certainly rocks and lyrics that really tune into a burgeoning independent teenage culture. The fine music continues via homegrown feel of rockabilly ‘Vibratin’ by Keray Regan, and a female rocker from Myrna Lorrie and track ‘Hello Baby’. The rockabilly continues with Al Oster and ‘Midnight Sun Rock’, before switching to callout rock ‘n’ roll number ‘Arkansas Jane’ from The Millionaires, before The Canadian Sweethearts provide the musical equivalent of the ‘Freight Train’, a song that would have easily been at home with the Everly Brothers as well. Whether you fancy a different interpretation of Dale Hawkins’ ‘Susie-Q’ by vocal group The Crew Cuts, to rockin’ rhythm of Frank Rondell and ‘Your True Love’, there are plenty of musical treats to stave off the boredom of any long road trip with Rockin’ Rollin’ USA Volume 2 Canada.


Released Out now

 

Rockin’ Rollin’ USA Volume 1 Canada

Various Artists

Pan American

Reviving the Pan American label with a fresh series of albums and replacing the outdated imagery with more tasteful exterior via the creative input of Henrique Sans, DeeJay Mark Armstrong sources material from the years 1955 through to 1963 for Rockin’ Rollin’ USA Volume 1. The first destination is Canada and features twenty-eight songs taken from regional and major labels and with reference to any local heroes from the featured (in this instance) country of Canada, North America, regardless of whether the local heroes remained or departed to pastures new. Beginning the album’s journey with The Asteroids’ ‘Shhhhhhh Blast Off’ a light(ish) rocker stemming from the jukebox of the local diner, before going on its way through a lively and red-hot guitar ‘Oh What Love Is’ (Jack Bailey), Ted Daigle chipping in with Johnny Cash-esque ‘Tennessee’, and a song composed by Carl Perkins, to other worthwhile mentions including Cliffy and Jerry with ‘Looking For My Baby’, The Stripes’ ‘Hot Rod’, the established Hank Snow and country ‘Loose Talk’, and Reg Smith with Canadian rockabilly, ‘Rock & Roll Lullaby’. There’s always room for a bit of Jack Scott as far as this publication is concerned and the rockabilly/rocker provides excellent ‘Two Timin’ Woman’, before giving way to one of the few hits Bernie Early (See our interview section, FLW) became known for ‘Rock Doll’, The Del-Tones’ ‘Rockin’ Blues’, and another from Jack Bailey with ‘Tiger Lil’. A very interesting first excursion with Rockin’ Rollin’ USA Volume 1, which provides plenty of details of a steadily burgeoning rockabilly and rock ‘n’ roll scene in North America and, specifically, Canada that will be welcomed by many newcomers as well as those with plenty or records in their collections.


Released 9 June

 

More Boss Black Rockers Vol. 10: Lonely Lonely Train

Various Artists

Koko Mojo

End of the line for the album series More Boss Black Rockers. The final resting station for More Boss Black Rockers is Lonely Lonely Train, and sees another twenty-eight tracks sourced from a mammoth catalogue of tracks with the focus on African-Americans who made rock ‘n’ roll their own. A history lesson, and an album series that has packed a musical punch to date, first impressions of Volume Ten appears to remain on course with many rockin’ delights. Beginning with the Speciality release ‘Hickory Dickory Dock’ from Big Boy Myles indicates the transition from traditional rhythm and blues to rock ‘n’ roll where you can hear the former genre’s foundations in this early rock ‘n’ roller. Earlier still is ‘Ain’t Nothin’ Happenin’ from Little Richard, which is an interesting inclusion from an artist in his formative years before going on to become the wild rocker and highly influential star. As with previous volumes of More Boss Black Rockers, there’s plenty of intrigue with the inclusion of lesserknown artists and songs of musicians who never really got the breaks during the 50s or if they did, it was only fleetingly so. When it comes to the founding of rock ‘n’ roll, it was the black musicians of the 50s who first developed this genre of music and continued its journey, only for their white counterparts to claim all the glory with plenty of exposure and hit records and thus creating a false impression that rock ‘n’ roll was developed by white rock ‘n’ rollers. Thankfully, More Boss Black Rockers has gone someway to addressing the balance and, in doing so, providing a platform for the likes of Roy Tann (‘I Don’t Like It’), Roosevelt Grier (‘Struttin’ and Twistin’), El Pauling & Royal Abbit (‘Please, Please, Be Mine’), and The Five Masks (‘Polly Molly’) to showcase their efforts to a wider audience and provide clear examples of the real originators of rock ‘n’ roll music.


Released Out now

 

More Boss Black Rockers Vol. 9: Hey Doll Baby

Various Artists

Koko Mojo

The countdown begins as we near the end of the album series More Boss Black Rockers. With this being the penultimate album therefore, Volume Nine of this consistently great album series allows access for all willing listeners a chance to hear music from America’s golden age, namely the 50s with a few additions from the early part of the 60s, but, more specifically, the beginning of rock ‘n’ roll. Charting rock ‘n’ roll’s rise is current record Hey Baby Doll with another twenty-eight tracks for your enjoyment. Starting in fine rock ‘n’ roll style with K.C. Mojo Watson and track ‘Love Blood Hound’, Hey Baby Doll consists of a few artists who’ve made appearances on previous albums. Step forward Big Joe Turner with ‘I Need A Girl’ that is an excellent stroller, to other well knowns but inspiring choices in Jackie Wilson and ‘Come Back To Me’, Fats Domino ‘Little Mary’, Esquerita with milder yet terrific ‘Laid Off’, to Huey “Piano” Smith’s ‘Little Chickie Wah Wah’, and another from Pork Chops with ‘I Wanna See My Lovin’ Baby’. There are vocal harmonies present and arrive via The Clovers’ title track, The Cues’ ‘Why’, and fresh to these ears The Ensenators velvet tones of ‘I Had A Little Too Much’. Guitar Jnr. ‘The Hoss’ is an interesting addition with its vocal and guitar certainly the stars here. Further vocal harmonies arrive via The Hollywood Flames’ ‘Much Too Much’, which is the perfect description for this album and series in general because the scope of artists and rarities is wide and, occasionally, overwhelming (A positive folks!)  due to the amount of tracks to consume. Certainly a bargain for one’s hard-earned cash with more than enough rock ‘n’ roll to last a lifetime, More Boss Black Rockers Vol. 9: Hey Doll Baby is another triumph of an album.


Released Out now

 

More Boss Black Rockers Vol. 8: Rock & Roll Baby

Various Artists

Koko Mojo

With an abundance of records to sift through and select a fresh batch of tracks for the latest volume in the series More Boss Black Rockers, the job is an enviable one considering this is the dawn of rock ‘n’ roll. Latest album Rock & Roll Baby showcases a further twenty-eight songs from African-American performers who learnt their trade via rhythm and blues, before some of these musicians turned their attention to something a tad wilder with the development of rock ‘n’ roll. A real rockin’ body of work is what to expect, and something listeners have become accustomed to with the album series More Boss Black Rockers because each volume has provided an insight of black musicians who never really got the recognition they deserved during the 50s and early 60s. That is not to say that More Boss Black Rockers has not been without established names because the likes of Little Richard, Chuck Berry, Fats Domino et al have all been present. However, it is often the obscurer artists that provides a genuine edge to these albums by creating a genuine sense of curiosity, and history lesson that is unrivalled. Evidence of this can be heard during album opener ‘Chicken Little’ from hardly a household name Ravon Darnell. It’s an excellent choice to begin with, and features a solid vocal, great saxophone, and plenty of piano pounding. Continuing such great work are the inclusions of Jackie Brenston ‘Trouble Up The Road’, Roy Brown ‘Shake Em Up Baby’, Elmer Parker ‘You Know I Love You’, and two vocal groups with The Jewels’ ‘She’s A Flirt’, and next Kripp Johnson and Chuck Jackson with ‘Woke Up This Morning’. Add to the pile the charismatic presentation of ‘Lone Ranger Gonna Git Married’ supplied by Jimmy Johnson, Big Bob Kornegay gliding through the rhythm of ‘Humdinger, and a rockin’ ‘Teenage Sister’ by Jimmy Lewis, and More Boss Black Rockers Vol. 8: Rock & Roll Baby is all you really need right now.


Released Out now

 

More Boss Black Rockers Vol. 7: Bim Bam Boom

Various Artists

Koko Mojo

Much steam has gathered under this latest and follow-up series to Boss Black Rockers with the additional word added to its title of latest volumes More Boss Black Rockers. Current album, Bim Bam Boom, marks the seventh volume of black artists who laid the groundwork with rhythm and blues, and then started what became known as rock ‘n’ roll. More Boss Black Rockers pays tribute to those African-American artists by showcasing their musical exploits of the 50s and early 60s when the majority of audiences were likely under the impression it was all down to the white rock ‘n’ rollers for creating what we now know as rock ‘n’ roll. Diving straight in, Volume Seven of More Boss Black Rockers: Bim Bam Boom, the golden era of music in the US shines brightly from the songs selected here. Nowhere is this more evident than the rockin’ introduction of Willie King and ‘Peg Leg Woman’, before continuing along a lengthy list of great tunes (too many to list here) including Sandra Grimms contribution ‘Hallelujah Rock and Roll’ that is top-heavy rhythm and blues with sprinkling of rock ‘n’ roll, to wild shuffling rhythm of Chuck Higgins’ ‘Looking For My Baby’, before mixing up the pack with more polished ‘Ta Ta’ by Clyde McPhatter, and then getting all fired up again through Junior Wells’ ‘Can’t Live Without You Baby’, Jimmy Breedlove with ‘Oo-Weee, Good Gosh A-Mighty’, and Little Richard providing ‘He Got What He Wanted’. There’s even a professor (Professor Longhair)  on board to offer some advice with rock ‘n’ roll ‘In The Night’ and further proof that the beginnings, and developments of rock ‘n’ roll really did start with the black musicians of the 50s and early 60s as evidenced by More Boss Black Rockers Vol.7: Bim Bam Boom.


Released Out now

 

More Boss Black Rockers Vol. 6: Everything’s Cool

Various Artists

Koko Mojo

After the success of the first five volumes in the follow up album series to Boss Black Rockers, the next album to surface is More Boss Black Rockers Vol. 6: Everything’s Cool. Giving focus to what is a very important part of rock ‘n’ roll’s history, and one neglected at the expense of white rock ‘n’ rollers, is told here via numerous Afro-American rock ‘n’ roll artists of the 50s and early 60s. Presented in environmentally friendly packaging and with Little Victor Mac (The “Mojo” Man) responsible for the songs selected, Volume Six of More Boss Rockers lives up to its additional title of (Everything’s Cool) from the off with the very cool and up-tempo rhythm and blues goes rock ‘n’ roll ‘Oooh-Wow!’ from vocally loud Roy Montrell. Turning down the volume a notch to something midtempo with plenty of great qualities from its guitar to the vocals of ‘Air Travel’ supplied by Ray and Bob follows, only for Esquerita to shift the dial in the opposite direction by increasing the volume once again via ‘Believe Me When I Say Rock And Roll Is Here To Stay’. Enthralling beginnings leads to more captivating moments arriving thick and fast and, in no particular order, through Bobby Dunn’s ‘Diddle Dee Dee’, Chuck Higgins’ ‘Too Smart’, Aggie Dukes’ ‘John John’, Little Joe Hinton and ‘The Whip Twist’, to Pork Chops’ lead track ‘Everything’s Cool’. More of this and a whole lot more, Volume Six of More Boss Black Rockers will have the listener coming back for more given the high calibre of rock ‘n’ roll on display and for the history lesson this compilation provides.


Released Out now

 

The Rockin’ Spot Volume Five: Audrey

Various Artists

Atomicat

Back on track for its fifth and final album is The Rockin’ Spot Volume 5: Audrey from Atomicat. Presenting another twenty-eight songs from the “living end” of rock ‘n’ roll, rockabilly, and rhythm and blues, Volume Five gives the final words to Audrey and allows the listener to bathe in a selection of sounds from the years 1952 to 1961. The last in the album series begins with one example that would define classic 50s rock ‘n’ roll with an undercurrent of rockabilly from Buddy Covelle and song, ‘Lorraine’. After such a fine beginning, The Rockin’ Spot Volume 5: Audrey continues its ascent via more fine songs including the melding of rhythm and blues/rock ‘n’ roll of ‘Do The Rock And Roll’ from cool moniker that is Fox Hall, to Johnny Jano and ‘Mabel’s Gone, and expressive ‘Crazy Man’ from the vocals of Ben Hughes. With Atomicat’s dedication to providing less featured individuals when it comes to these sorts of compilations, then its refreshing to hear the likes of Shortie Billups (‘Boss Chick’), Chip Fisher (‘Oh-Ye-Louise’), The Dawn Breakers (‘Boy With The Be-Bop Glasses’), The Colonairs (‘Sandy’), and Collay (‘Little Girl Next Door’). Also pleasing is the slightly higher amount than previous releases of reliable and rockin’ inclusions featuring Eddie Bond (‘Boppin’ Bonnie’), Sonny Fisher (‘Sneaky Pete’), Jack Scott (‘Geraldine’), Conway Twitty (‘Hey Little Lucy!), Varetta Dillard (‘Promise Mr. Thomas’), and Mac Curtis (‘Little Miss Linda’) to cite but a few. With Billy Lehman providing the main track for this final instalment in this series, then Atomicat ends what has been a marvellous collection of albums on another highnote with great quality, and certainly more familiarity in terms of the artists featured, therefore demonstrating the record label is enjoying itself, and rightly so!


Released Out now

 

The Rockin’ Spot Volume Four: Cheryl

Various Artists

Atomicat

Next up in the current album series from Atomicat is The Rockin’ Spot Volume Four: Cheryl. Lining up a track list of twenty-eight songs, Volume Four opens its account with a knock at the front door from Jeanie Dell and ‘Hey Willy’. By opening said front door paves the way for the rest of the contents of this collection of numerous songs from the “living end” of rock ‘n’ roll, rockabilly, and rhythm and blues. Taking in the years 1955 – 1963, there’s noticeable variety between the tracks, and nowhere better to continue than the detailed presentation of The Maharajahs’ ‘Sweet Loretta’, Rudy Greene’s lively and rockin’ ‘Juicy Fruit’, to should’ve been a contender to the crown of rock ‘n’ roll Billy Riley and song ‘Pearly Lee’, and something altogether calmer from The Gaye Sisters and ‘Oh Ricky’. The variety continues and certainly makes for an absorbing listen whether it’s the influence of rhythm and blues driving the rock ‘n’ roll of excellent ‘Dime Store Pony Tail’ from Bobby Dean, to an instrumental from the hands of The Dick Poulton Trio with ‘Oh Susie’, great vocals from The Invictas and song ‘Nellie’, and likewise the additions of Cliff Nash and rockin’ ‘Jennie Lou’, and The Elgins with title track ‘Cheryl’. Further delightful nuggets can be unearthed via Dave Day ‘Jelly Billy’, Bobby Darin ‘Pity Miss Kitty’, Benny Ingram ‘Jello Sal’, and Tee Tucker ‘Rock & Roll Machine’. Overall, another fantastic collection of rock ‘n’ roll songs.


Released Out now

 

The Rockin’ Spot Volume Three: Jeanie

Various Artists

Atomicat

Third album of The Rockin’ Spot in the latest series to feature at Atomicat and this one goes by the additional title of Jeanie. Presented in its now traditional three-way digipak, which is certainly a good thing as far as the environment is concerned, the music showcases the “living end” of rock ‘n’ roll, rockabilly, and rhythm and blues. With its starting point beginning in 1956 and concluding in 1963, in addition to boasting “…the album is stacked full of hit records!”, the hits spoken of here are not your traditional number one records, more that it is the quality of the songs chosen that will provide the emotional high and thus giving meaning to the expression used “hit records”. That said, where songs as ‘Wake Up Little Susie’ make an appearance, and certainly a hit record back in the day, rather than opt for the easier route however, and submit the obvious choice with the Everly Brothers, Atomicat has done its research and provides a less obvious choice and, in this instance, it’s the turn of Joe Melson to belt out this record. From there, the likes of Rusty Draper maintain the good feeling with ‘Good Golly (Pretty Molly)’, to giving the impression of rockin’ the foundations it was built upon ‘Shake That Thing’ from Charles Epps, and further examples of Jimmy Crawford (‘Mable Mable Mable’), Carl McVoy (‘Little John’s Gone’), and Alan Dale (‘You Threw A Dart’). There’s rock ‘n’ roll from the piano fingers of Brian Russ and track ‘King Of Rock And Roll’, and Eddie Smalling provides the album’s main heading, ‘Jeanie’, in a simplistic style that is wonderfully addictive. Appropriate for the times given the early fascination with space travel, Buck Rogers effortlessly rolls out the piano rockin’ ‘Rose Marie’, before the exotically named Chico Holiday adds colour via ‘Cuckoo Girl’.


Released Out now

 

The Rockin’ Spot Volume Two: Louise

Various Artists

Atomicat

Visiting The Rockin’ Spot once more for Volume Two, and this time in the name of “Louise”, sees the latest compilation issue more rockin’ delights from the fields of rockabilly, rock ‘n’ roll, and rhythm and blues. Given Volume One was an absolute delight, there’s great anticipation for this latest collection in the hope that it lives up to its predecessor. With twenty-eight tracks to choose from, and in no particular order, the jury decides to plunge for the centre of this album and first up is The Sonics’ ‘Marlene’. It proves worthwhile given its raw edges of rock ‘n’ roll and thus leads to further choices within touching distance including excellent and moody spin from Benny Joy and ‘Steady With Betty’, sax-generated rock ‘n’ roll from The Novatones and ‘Mary Lee’, to familiar to many Chuck Berry and his version of ‘Rip It Up’, which is often associated with Little Richard and ditto the song ‘Good Golly Miss Molly’ this time provided by The Valiants. Less familiar however, given these types of collections is the name which sounds like the author of a prizewinning novel Ulysses J. Hemingworth II and song ‘Whoa Louise’. Lending part of its song title to the subheading of this album, Ulysses does not disappoint as he charismatically informs the listener of his relationship woes. Continually glued to the centre of this album given the quality of tracks expressed thus far, there’s simply no movement from this position when further curiosities as Lee Craig and ‘IFIC Is The Word’ pop up and then followed by more established artists Little Willie John (‘Dinner Date’), Andy Anderson (‘Johnny Valentine’), The Hi-Tombs’ ‘Sweet Rockin’ Mama’, and distinction of the title track, ‘Louise’, accorded to Ralph Pruitt. Another excellent collection arrives with The Rockin’ Spot Volume Two: Louise where its centre is certainly filled with rockin’ delights, but once ventured outside, the rest of the album’s contents also prove a thrilling ride!



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