Shake Rattle and Roll - Elvis,Bill Haley and the Comets,Buddy Holly and the Cricketers,Jerry Lee Lewis,Chuck Berry,Miscellaneous Performers Album Review

Album Review

Two CD set, and 50 tracks that'll take you to Rock'n'Roll heaven. This collection does exactly what it says on the tin - sweaty foreheads, hollering, scoffed brothel-creepers, thumping upright basses, twanging guitars, pounding pianos, and a whole lotta quiffs and riffs. Let's not forget, at the time, the 50s and 60s, this music was totally earth - shattering stuff. Some commentators, particularly the American church dubbed it 'The Devil's Music.' Some might say quite a few little devils emerged from this era - not mentioning any names. Containing the usual suspects - Elvis, Bill Haley, Carl Perkins, Everly Brothers, Chuck Berry - you also get the odd unsung heroes such as Johnny Preston ( Cradle of Love ) Marvin Rainwater (Whole Lotta Woman ) The Penguins (Earth Angel ) and Mickey and Sylvia (Love Is Strange ).

My first indelible image of the genre was seeing the flick Rock Around The Clock on telly in the mid 60s, and I was blown away. Just watching Bill Haley and His Comets banging out the signature tune was a life changing experience. The excitement was too much for a youngster - but unforgettable. Track 2, That's Alright is recognised as the first Rock'n'Roll record, covered by Elvis.

Elsewhere, there's an excellent choice mid-paced ballads like Be Bop A Lula by Gene Vincent, Roy Orbison's Only The Lonely, proving that he was arguably the best singer of the lot.

Then there's the awesome vocal by Little Richard on Good Golly Miss Molly the first 'rock voice', as tears up the piano with the rhythm section pounding in the background- a real classic.

Sadly, most of this lot have snuffed it, with the exception of Jerry Lee Lewis who I saw two years ago in Manchester - thank goodness I went. Marty Wilde is still touring with great success.

A rather strange inclusion is Gene Pitney's UK debut single I Wanna Love My Life Way ( sounding more like Neil Sedaka ) which peaked at 26 in '61.

Sadly the UK representation is pitiful - Lonnie Donnegan, Marty Wilde, Billy Fury, and no Sir Cliff - shameful!

Like the opening song says - "e;"Get outta that kitchen and rattle those pots and pans . "e;

Verdict - essential for all music lovers and mobile DJ's everywhere.

This is where it all started.

Elly Roberts