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"...Be Bop A Lula...Let's Rock Again!"
Fans of 'The Screaming End' have waited all their lives for a tribute to their hero like this and the much-anticipated February 2005 Gene Vincent Bear Family Box Set (BCD 16257 HL - Barcode 4000127162571) doesn't disappoint.
"The Road Is Rocky - The Complete Studio Masters 1956-1971" by GENE VINCENT is typical of Bear Family's legendary excellence.
UK and Europe released February 2005 - 8 CDs are housed in label-themed 2CD jewel cases inside a 12" x 12" LP-Sized Box Set offering up a huge 223 tracks. There's a beautifully illustrated album-sized 134-Page Hardback Book (yes hardback) and resplendent in its full-colour cover, the whole package has an air of real class about it. Genuinely - just holding it - is a thrill...
This respectful 2005 set was compiled and produced by DEREK HENDERSON and the stunning essay on Vincent's tortuous life is by noted expert IAN WALLIS (it's both ruthlessly honest yet quietly affectionate). Label boss RICHARD WEIZE and TONY BARRETT (of Rockstar Records in the UK) handled the tape research with the remastering carried out by JAY RANELLUCCI, BOB IRWIN and KIP SMITH. And being Bear Family, the sound quality is GORGEOUS - first generation tapes used, meticulous transfers - a typically superlative job done. Being a sumptuous product of distinction, costs vary - £150 or more - so shop around. But it should also be noted that even though here in October 2026, Vincent's "The Road Is Rocky" may be over 21 years old, technically, it's still on catalogue at Bear Family direct, so purchase through them and their top mail-order service is still an option. Details…
CONTENTS:
Disc 1: label is Capitol USA 7" of "Be-Bop-A-Lula", 27 Tracks, 64:44 minutes
Disc 2: label is Capitol USA 7" of "Lotta Lovin'", 29 Tracks, 68:51 minutes
Disc 3: label is Capitol USA 7" Promo Sleeve of "Git It", 28 Tracks, 61:20 minutes
Disc 4: label is Capitol USA 7" Promo of "Be Bop Boogie Boy", 34 Tracks, 79:53 minutes
Disc 5: label is Capitol USA 7" Promo of "Wild Cat", 28 Tracks, 63:59 minutes
Disc 6: label is Columbia UK 7" of "Private Detective", 26 Tracks, 62:15 minutes
Disc 7: label is Challenge USA 7" Promo of "Bird-Doggin'", 28 Tracks, 76:31 minutes
Disc 8: label is Kama Sutra USA 7" of "How I Love Them Old Songs", 23 Tracks, 73:32 minutes
The discography by Richard Weize, RUSSELL WAPENSKY and Derek Henderson contains 210 entries from his first recordings in May 1956 in Nashville to his last two in January 1971 in London. All 7 of his Capitol albums are here - "Bluejean Bop!" (November 1956 UK Mono Debut), "Gene Vincent And His Blue Caps" (August 1957), "Gene Vincent Rocks! And The Blue Caps Roll" (December 1957), "A Gene Vincent Record Date" (September 1958), "Sounds Like Gene Vincent" (October 1959), "Crazy Times!" (May 1960), "The Crazy Beat Of Gene Vincent" (August 1963), "Shakin' Up A Storm" (October 1964), "Gene Vincent" on London from 1967 (Challenge in the USA), "Best Of" straggler tracks from the late 60ts and finally his three Dandelion and Kama Sutra albums of the early Seventies ("If You Could Only See Me Today", "The Day The World Turned Blue" and "Battle Of The Bands Volume 1" included amongst them).
You can also sequence both the A&B-sides of all 40 of his 7" singles (a large number of them were non-album tracks). The bluesy "Baby Blue" (his 10th UK single from 1958) is fantastic (I have done a Full Discography referencing every track on this Box Set (too big for this post and book) which is available on my Blog Site SOUNDS GOOD, LOOKS GOOD).
The book is wonderful, black and white stage shots, an adoring John Lennon looking over his shoulder, backing group the BLUE CAPS posing in the studio, the one with Eddie Cochran, Joe Brown and Billy Fury all looking so young and full of promise. I particularly dig the snap of Gene and Jet Harris with a winking Little Richard and a smiling Sam Cooke - now's there's a conversation you wanna hear!
Musical rarities include "Beautiful Brown Eyes" which was only available on an ultra rare French single from 1959, both the Playground and Forever US-only 7" singles from 1968 and 1969 of "Story Of The Rockers" and "Pickin' Poppies" because all 4 sides have different mixes and finally the two exclusive tracks Vincent cut for the B&C Records compilation "Battle Of The Bands" in 1971 - his last proper studio recordings. There's also several previously unreleased STEREO tracks.
If I was to point out a downside, it would be that he did a further 5-track live session for The Johnny Walker Show at Radio 1 in London on the 1st of October 1971 - just 11 days before he died in the USA - but it's not included on here. It was released as "The Last Session" in 1987 by John Peel on one of his Strange Fruit/Nighttracks 12" singles - and you can't help but feel (live or not) that it should have been included.
Vincent Eugene Craddock died from liver failure on 12 October 1971 in the Emergency Room of a California hospital, aged only 36 - years of chronic alcoholism having finally done for him. It was a sad and painful finish.
But for fans the world over, Vincent will always be the real deal - silver microphone in hand, leg thrust forward, the thrill of rock 'n' roll literally shaking his limbs and quivering his voice. And this beautiful and loving box set only brings that home in spades. It costs for sure - but quality always does.
Another restoration peach from Bear Family that deserves all the accolades it deserves. Well done to all involved – you keepers of the flame...
PS:
I have done a Full Albums, EPs and Singles Discography referencing this entire Bear Family Box Set separately for space reasons – you can access it on my Blog Site SOUNDS GOOD, LOOKS GOOD
I'd also recommend "The Outtakes" - a 2007 follow-up set by Bear Family which contains a staggering 226 tracks from 1956 to 1968. Bear Family Records BCD 16842 FR (Barcode 4000127168429) is a mini 6CD box with a beautifully detailed 76-page booklet and the vast majority of these priceless 'in session' gems having never been released before anywhere covering October 1958 to March 1967.
PS: Speaking of musical soulmates - I've also reviewed the equally stunning 8CD EDDIE COCHRAN Bear Family box set "Somethin' Else – The Ultimate Collection" and with Discographies referencing the Box Set (see separate review)...
