"Ronnie Rocks" by RONNIE HAWKINS [and The Hawks] – Original Recordings from 1958 to 1963 on Roulette Records featuring Fred Carter, Jr. and Jimmy Ray Paulman on Guitars with guests Robbie Robertson, Rick Danko, Levon Helm and Richard Manuel of The Band on Three 1961-1963 Roulette Tracks with Polydor Records artists Roy Buchanan on Bass and King Curtis on Saxophone (January 2008 GERMAN Bear Family CD Compilation of Jurgen Crasser Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

This Review Along With over 235 Others Is Available in my

SOUNDS GOOD E-Book on all Amazon sites

"MANNISH BOY" 

BLUES, VOCAL GROUPS, DOO WOP, ROOTS

RHYTHM 'n' BLUES and ROCK 'n' ROLL ON CD 

Exceptional CD Reissues and Remasters (2026)

Thousands of E-Pages

All Details and In-Depth Reviews From Discs 

(No Cut and Paste Crap)

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"...She Took The Keys To My Cadillac Car..."

The kind of compilation you'd normally ignore and shouldn't. 

Last time I touched on Arkansas' great survivor Ronnie Hawkins and his band of Gene Vincent-like Rock 'n' Roll reprobates 'The Hawks' was all the way back in August 1990. EMI UK was putting out Remastered compilations to beat the band, feeding a hungry CD buying public pigging out on nostalgia. 

One of those was the American Rhino CD-compilation "The Best Of Ronnie Hawkins And The Hawks" given a UK issue on Roulette CDROU 009 - EMI CDP 794890 2 - its 18 raucous Blue Caps-type tracks Remastered and mid-priced to tempt lapsed buyers on a budget. This Bear Family compilation begins with a track that opened that British CD all the way back in 1990 – a then Previously Unreleased June 1958 cover of Chuck Berry's "Thirty Days". 

Fast-forward to early 2008 and what you get here is almost double that Rock 'n' Roll trouble in track numbers - 32 to be exact and a near 77-minutes playing time. There is hugely improved sound courtesy of BF's resident Audio Engineer genius JURGEN CRASSER and very tasty presentation into the bear pit bargain - a card digipak with a jammed 48-page booklet put together by a name familiar to Rock and Rollers everywhere – BILL MILLAR. 

With a Discography from IAN WALLIS - "Ronnie Rocks" also has lots of juicy Stereo too in the album tracks, guests that feature four members of The Band with blistering 1963 geetar from a young Robbie Robertson (they are on ten tracks) and Bear even manage to find one Previously Unreleased cut from 1958 (a different version of "Horace"). There is much to detail, so on to the Mary Lou's, Mr. Dynamo's and Mojo Men...

Released in Germany on 28 January 2008 - "Ronnie Rocks" by RONNIE HAWKINS on Bear Family BCD 16873 AR (Barcode 4000127168733) offers 32 Remastered Original Recordings from 1958 to 1963 that plays out as follows (76:42 minutes):

1. Thirty Days - first issued August 1990 on the CD Compilation "The Best Of Ronnie Hawkins And The Hawks"

2. Hey Bo Diddley - 1958 CANADA 45-single on Quality 1827, A-side 

3. Ruby Baby - from the 1959 US LP "Ronnie Hawkins" on Roulette SR 25078 in Stereo

4. Forty Days - May 1959 US 45-single on Roulette 4154, A-side - also on "Ronnie Hawkins" on Roulette SR 25078

5. Horace - from the 1959 US LP "Ronnie Hawkins" on Roulette SR 25078 in Stereo

6. One Of These Days - May 1959 US 45-single on Roulette 4154, B-side - also on "Ronnie Hawkins" on Roulette SR 25078

7. Wild Little Willy - from the 1959 US LP "Ronnie Hawkins" on Roulette SR 25078 in Stereo 

8. Whatcha Gonna Do (When The Creek Runs Dry) - from the 1959 US LP "Ronnie Hawkins" on Roulette SR 25078 in Stereo

9. Mary Lou - August 1959 US 45-single on Roulette 4177, A-side - also on "Ronnie Hawkins" on Roulette SR 25078 

10. Oh Sugar - from the 1959 US LP "Ronnie Hawkins" on Roulette SR 25078 in Stereo

11. Odessa - from the 1959 US LP "Ronnie Hawkins" on Roulette SR 25078 in Stereo

12. My Gal Is Red Hot - from the 1959 US LP "Ronnie Hawkins" on Roulette SR 25078 in Stereo

13. Need Your Lovin' (Oh So Bad) - August 1959 US 45-single on Roulette 4177, B-side - also on "Ronnie Hawkins" on Roulette SR 25078 

14. Dizzy Miss Lizzy - from the 1959 US LP "Ronnie Hawkins" on Roulette SR 25078 in Stereo

15. Hay Ride - April 1960 US 45-single on Roulette 4249, B-side of "Ruby Baby" - also on the 1960 US LP "Mr. Dynamo" on Roulette SR 25102 in Stereo

16. Baby Jean - from the 1960 US LP "Mr. Dynamo" on Roulette SR 25102 in Stereo 

17. Southern Love - November 1959 US 45-single on Roulette 4209, A-side - also on the 1960 US LP "Mr. Dynamo" on Roulette SR 25102 in Stereo

18. Hey Boba Lou - from the 1960 US LP "Ronnie Hawkins" on Roulette SR 25078 in Stereo

19. Clara - February 1960 US 45-single on Roulette 4228, A-side - also on the 1960 US LP "Mr. Dynamo" on Roulette SR 25102 in Stereo

20. Honey Don't - from the 1960 US LP "Mr. Dynamo" on Roulette SR 25102 in Stereo

21. Sick & Tired - from the 1960 US LP "Mr. Dynamo" on Roulette SR 25102 in Stereo

22. You Know I Love You - from the 1964 US LP "The Best Of..." on Roulette SR 25255 in Stereo 

23. Sexy Ways - from the 1964 US LP "The Best Of..." on Roulette SR 25255 in Stereo 

24. Come Love - October 1961 US 45-single on Roulette 4400, B-side of "I Feel Good" - also on the 1964 US LP "The Best Of..." on Roulette SR 25255 in Stereo 

25. I Feel Good - October 1961 US 45-single on Roulette 4400, A-side - also on the 1964 US LP "The Best Of..." on Roulette SR 25255 in Stereo 

26. Suzie Q - from the 1964 CANADA LP "Mojo Man" on Roulette SR 25390 in Stereo 

27. Matchbox - from the 1964 CANADA LP "Mojo Man" on Roulette SR 25390 in Stereo

28. High Blood Pressure - June 1963 US 45-single on Roulette 4502, A-side - also on the 1964 US LP "The Best Of..." on Roulette SR 25255 in Stereo 

29. Mojo Man - from the 1964 US LP "The Best Of..." on Roulette SR 25255 in Stereo

30. Bo Diddley - April 1963 US 45-single on Roulette 4483, A-side - also on the 1964 US LP "The Best Of..." on Roulette SR 25255 in Stereo

31. Who Do You Love - April 1963 US 45-single on Roulette 4483, B-side - also on the 1964 US LP "The Best Of..." on Roulette SR 25255 in Stereo

32. Horace - June 1958 recording PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED 

NOTES: From September 1961 to May 1963 and at five different recording sessions, four members of Ronnie’s group would famously later become THE BAND – the backing group for Bob Dylan in 1966 and a huge group in their own right from 1968 - Jamie 'Robbie' Robertson on Lead Guitar, Rick Danko on Rhythm Guitar, Richard Manuel on Piano with Levon Helm on Drums. They feature on ten - Tracks 22 to 31. Other sessioning players included ace axeman and future Polydor Records star Roy Buchanan playing Bass on Tracks 30 and 31, Backing Vocals from Cissie Houston, Dee Dee Warwick and Dionne Warwick on Tracks 22, 23 and 24, King Curtis on Tenor Saxophone on Tracks 25 and 26 with Jerry Penfound on Tenor Saxophone for Tracks 26, 28 and 29. Ronnie Hawkins sings Lead Vocals throughout.

With this compilation you get the 50ts Rock 'n' Rollin' Ronnie & The Hawks on tunes like their cover of The Drifters huge hit "Ruby Baby" and the crossover Rockabilly-Pop sound of "Mary Lou" and "My Gal Is Red Hot" - Jimmy Ray Paulman playing the distinct geetar on those sessions. But when he hit the 60s and boys in The Band (literally) join proceedings - the sound goes through the roof into almost dangerous garage or even an early form of Punk. When Robbie Robertson is slashing away on "Sexy Ways" or the fantastic "Suzie Q" (you so realise from hearing this why Juicy Lucy covered "Who Do You Love" the wild-slashing-guitar way they did in 1969 when you hear Robertson here) - you're reminded of a dangerous Link Wray - almost live on stage - his guitar is that distorted – a bad Diddley Daddy eyeing your daughter with ill-intent. But whatever tune you play, it's all so hugely enjoyable. This is a constantly surprising CD - even his cover of Carl Perkins' "Honey Don't" sounds fresh and Ronnie-fied. There are many more where that came from. 

In July 2026 the Bear Family "Rocks" series numbers 83 artists and rising alongside two taster compilations - Volumes 1 and 2 (I've reviewed a dozen or so, see list below) and all come highly recommended. 

Just don't forget to feed your need for "High Blood Pressure" from that Arkansas "Mojo Man"...

PS: The "Rocks" Series CD-Only Compilations (released 2002 to 2026) by Bear Family Records of Germany features the following artists (alphabetical order):

1. Hank Ballard (Bear Family BCD 17580)

2. Chuck Berry (BCD 17139 AR) [see REVIEW]

3. Eddie Bond (BCD 17726)

4. Pat Boone (BCD 16933 AR)

5. Clarence 'Gatemouth' Brown (BCD 17537)

6. James Brown (BCD 17775)

7. Roy Brown (BCD 17749)

8. Sonny Burgess (BCD 17629)

9. Johnny Burnette (BCD 16992 AR) [see REVIEW]

10. The Cadillacs (BCD 16281 AR)

11. Jimmy Cavallo (BCD 17648)

12. Sanford Clark (BCD 17664)

13. The Coasters (BCD 17526)

14. Eddie Cochran (BCD 17136 AR)

15. Jackie Lee Cochran (BCD 17785)

16. James Cotton (BCD 17651)

17. Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup (BCD 17555 AR)

18. Bobby Darin (BCD 16310 AR)

19. Bo Diddley (BCD 17751)

20. Fats Domino (BCD 16825 AR)

21. The Drifters (BCD 17278 AR)

22. Champion Jack Dupree (BCD 17536)

23. Duane Eddy (BCD 17249 AR)

24. The Everly Brothers (BCD 17321 AR)

25. Charlie Feathers (BCD 17688)

26. Narvel Felts (BCD 17594)

27. The "5" Royales (BCD 17522)

28. Connie Francis (BCD 16318 AR)

29. Don Gibson (BCD 16991 AR)

30. Glen Glenn (BCD 16671 AR)

31. Big John Greer (BCD 17743)

32. Bill Haley (BCD 16807 AR)

33. Roy Hall (BCD 16747 AR)

34. Wynonie Harris (BCD 17746)

35. Dale Hawkins (BCD 16826 AR)

36. Ronnie Hawkins (BCD 16873 AR)

37. Screamin' Jay Hawkins (BCD 16687 AR)

38. Wanda Jackson (BCD 16631 AR) [see REVIEW]

39. Etta James (BCD 17750)

40. Sonny James (BCD 16679 AR)

41. Benny Joy (BCD 17645)

42. Buddy Knox & Jimmy Bowen with the Rhythm Orchids (BCD 16872 AR)

43. Sleepy LaBeef (BCD 15981 AR)

44. Brenda Lee (BCD 16886 AR)

45. Jerry Lee Lewis (BCD 16396 AR)

46. Smiley Lewis (BCD 16676 AR) [see REVIEW]

47. Little Richard (BCD 17138 AR)

48. Bob Luman (BCD 16985 AR)

49. Frankie Lymon and The Teenagers (BCD 16545 AR)

50. Mac Curtis (BCD 17719)

51. Carl Mann (BCD 16684 AR)

52. Jimmy McCracklin (BCD 17552)

53. Scotty McKay (BCD 17519)

54. Clyde McPhatter (BCD 17614)

55. Memphis Slim (BCD 17687)

56. Amos Milburn (BCD 16926 AR) [see REVIEW]

57. Roy Milton (BCD 17712)

58. Ella Mae Morse (BCD 16672 AR) [see REVIEW]

59. Ricky Nelson (BCD 16856 AR)

60. Roy Orbison (BCD 15916 AR)

61. Little Junior Parker (BCD 17535)

62. Carl Perkins (BCD 16752 AR)

63. The Platters (BCD 17558 AR)

64. Lloyd Price (BCD 16999 AR)

65. Piano Red (aka Dr. Feelgood) (BCD 16639 AR) [see REVIEW]

66. Jimmy Reed (BCD 17572)

67. Louis Prima (BCD 17318 AR)

68. Charlie Rich (BCD 16513 AR) [see REVIEW]

69. Billy Lee Riley (BCD 17597)

70. Marty Robbins (BCD 17245 AR)

71. Jack Scott (BCD 16841 AR)

72. Ronnie Self (BCD 17656)

73. Shirley & Lee (BCD 15785 AR)

74. Slim Harpo (BCD 17129 AR)

75. The Treniers (BCD 16164 AR)

76. Ike Turner (BCD 17679)

77. Big Joe Turner (BCD 17215 AR) [see REVIEW]

78. Conway Twitty (BCD 16670 AR)

79. Ritchie Valens (BCD 17525)

80. Gene Vincent & His Blue Caps (BCD 17134 AR)

81. Johnny Guitar Watson (BCD 17764)

82. Link Wray (BCD 17600)

83. Rusty York (BCD 16543 AR) [see REVIEW]

Series Sampler Compilations from 2024 and 2025

84. Bear Family Records Rocks, Vol. 1 (BCD 17734) 

85. Bear Family Records Rocks, Vol. 2 (BCD 17735) 

The Bear Family "Rockin' Rollin'" Series features:

1. Johnny Horton

2. Marvin Rainwater

3. Marty Robbins Vol.1

4. Marty Robbins Vol.2

5. Marty Robbins Vol.3

"The Ballads Of The Platters" by THE PLATTERS – US Federal and Mercury Record Label 45-Single and LP Hits Between 1955 and 1961 (March 2013 GERMAN Bear Family 33-Track CD Compilation of Jurgen Crasser Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

This Review Along With over 200 Others Is Available in my

SOUNDS GOOD E-Book on all Amazon sites

"MANNISH BOY" 

BLUES, VOCAL GROUPS, DOO WOP, ROOTS

RHYTHM 'n' BLUES and ROCK 'n' ROLL ON CD 

Exceptional CD Reissues and Remasters 

Thousands of E-Pages

All Details and In-Depth Reviews From Discs 

(No Cut and Paste Crap)

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"...The Magic Touch..."

The Doo Wop and Vocal Group Tradition had few genuine superstars and even fewer who crossed over into the Pop arena. 

But manager and songwriter Buck Ram's carefully honed and beautifully produced Vocal Group THE PLATTERS (with the sweetest pipes in Tony Williams and Zola Taylor out front) were both, and across its huge near ninety-minute playing time, this gorgeous sounding Bear Family CD shows why they were so big, back in the smooching day. 

After a short stint with Federal Records between 1953 and 1955 (despite being non-charters, two of those sides are featured here - the A&B of their rare debut 45-single "I'll Cry When You're Gone") - The Platters hit the ground running and charted a huge 21 tracks between 1955 and 1967 on the American R&B singles lists - four of which went to Number One (same for any other territories around the world too). 

This 2013 set sticks to the Federal and Mercury Recordings and so begins in 1953 and ends with 1961's "I'll Never Smile Again" (doesn't include the four they charted on Musicor between 1966 and 1967). So, there's a lot of smoke getting in people's eyes, twilight times, my prayers and great pretenders to get through, so let's have at the Four Guys and Their One Dish...

Released in Germany 26 March 2013 - "The Ballads Of The Platters" by THE PLATTERS on Bear Family BCD 17326 AR (Barcode 5391523910095) is a 33-Track CD Compilation of Federal and Mercury Recordings Remasters that plays out as follows (89:44 minutes): 

1. Smokes Gets In Your Eyes - November 1958, US 45-single on Mercury 71383, A-side) - No. 3 R&B

2. Only You (And You Alone) - June 1955, US 45-single on Mercury 70633, A-side) - No. 1 R&B

3. I'll Cry When You're Gone - 1953, US 45-single on Federal 12164, A-side) 

4. I Need You All The Time - 1953, US 45-single on Federal 12164, B-side to "I'll Cry When You're Gone")

5. Tell The World - July 1954, US 45-single on Federal 12188, B-side of "Love All Night" - Reissued December 1955 on Federal 12250

6. Why Should I  - 1956 US Debut LP "The Platters" on Mercury MG 20146

7. The Great Pretender - November 1955 US 45-single on Mercury 70753, A-side - No. 1 R&B

8. I'm Just A Dancing Partner - November 1955 US 45-single on Mercury 70753, B-side of "The Great Pretender" 

9. (You've Got) The Magic Touch - February 1956 US 45-single on Mercury 70819, A-side - No. 4 R&B

10. Winner Takes All - February 1956 US 45-single on Mercury 70819, B-side of "(You've Got) The Magic Touch"

11. My Prayer - June 1956 US 45-single on Mercury 70893, A-side - No. 1 R&B

12. Heaven On Earth - June 1956 US 45-single on Mercury 70893, B-side of "My Prayer" - No. 13 R&B 

13. You'll Never, Never Know - August 1956 US 45-single on Mercury 70948, A-side - No. 9 R&B

14. It Isn't Right - August 1956 US 45-single on Mercury 70948, A-side - No. 10 R&B

15. On My Word Of Honor - November 1956 US 45-single on Mercury 71011, A-side - No. 7 R&B

16. One In A Million - November 1956 US 45-single on Mercury 71011, A-side - No. 7 R&B

17. I'm Sorry - January 1957 US 45-single on Mercury 71032, A-side - No. 15 R&B

18. Glory Of Love - 1956 US Debut LP "The Platters" on Mercury MG 20146 in Mono

19. Remember When - 1956 US Debut LP "The Platters" on Mercury MG 20146 in Mono

20. In The Still Of Night - 1956 US Second LP "Volume Two" on Mercury MG 20216 in Mono 

21. My Dream - June 1958 US 45-single on Mercury 71320, B-side to "My Old Flame" - No. 7 R&B

22. Only Because - August 1957 US 45-single on Mercury 71184, A-side - also 1960 US LP "Encores!" on Mercury/Wing MGW 12112 

23. The Mystery Of You - 1960 US LP "Encores!" on Mercury/Wing MGW 12112 - 1960 US LP "Encores!" on Mercury/Wing MGW 12112

24. Helpless - December 1957 US 45-single on Mercury 71246, A-side - also 1960 US LP "Encores!" on Mercury/Wing MGW 12112

25. Twilight Time (LP Version) - 1960s US LP "The Flying Platters Around The World" on Mercury SR 60043 in Stereo 

26. You're Making A Mistake - June 1958 US 45-single on Mercury 71320, B-side of "My Old Flame" 

27. I Wish - August 1958 US 45-single on Mercury 71353, A-side 

28. No Matter What You Are - November 1958 US 45-single on Mercury 71383, A-side - No. 3 R&B

29. Enchanted - March 1959 US 45-single on Mercury 71427, A-side - No. 9 R&B

30. My Secret - November 1959 US 45-single on Mercury 71538, A-side 

31. Harbor Lights - 1960 US LP "Reflections" on Mercury SR 60160 in Stereo 

32. To Each His Own - October 1960 US 45-single on Mercury 71697, A-side 

33. I'll Never Smile Again - July 1961 US 45-single on Mercury 71847, A-side

The 36-page booklet is attached to the inside of the fetching gatefold card digipak - the world's premier archivist on R&B and Vocal Groups BILL DAHL providing Page 3 to 27 - a detailed history of this most famous of groups. 'The Mercury Discography' is put together by other famous names associated with the genres - WALTER DeVENNE, (Bear Family's) RICHARD WEIZE and LAURENCE ZWISOHN. In-between Dahl's classy storytelling there are black and white photos of our five-piece heroes holding all manner of awards including the 'Cash Box' award for sales of "The Great Pretender" in 1958. Not surprisingly the most recognisable element of The Platters - Tony Williams and his gorgeous Nat King Cole velvet sets of pipes - gets a publicity shot on Page 5 while the classic line-up smile for us on Page 11 - Herb Reed (Bass Vocals), Tony Williams (Lead Tenor Vocals), Zola Taylor (Lead Female Vocals), David Lynch (Tenor Vocals) and Paul Robi (Baritone Vocals). 

But the big news is that all tracks are the JURGEN CRASSER Remasters that turned on Bear Family's sumptuous 9CD LP-Sized Box Set "Four Platters And One Lovely Dish" in February 1994 (Bear Family BCD 15741 II - Barcode 4000127157416). These are beautifully clear and clean and I can't stress enough how it adds to the enjoyment of the listen. I know some will complain that at their not insubstantial prices, Bear really should have included the single mix everyone knows for "Twilight Time" and not the Stereo LP cut, and you can get all this stuff on a Universal Best Of CD for probably six quid or something (with a gatefold slip of paper as an inlay). But if you want the best, especially in the cause of exceptional audio, then reach for The Platters here first.

Even after all these decades, the sheer romance of this music hits home – Tony whooping up a tearful storm as you bath in the yesteryear innocence of "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes", "The Great Pretender" and "You'll Never, Never Know". All that MONO is clear as a whistle too, so re-discoveries like "You're Making A Mistake" and "Glory Of Love" feel like eavesdropping on a different time and different place. The two early sides show why Tony made such a difference – his voice was pretty – comforting like buttered toast and scones – and you can hear the improvement by the time we reach the zenith years of 1955 and 1956 – that signature feel they got. 

"Only You (And You Alone)" has been covered by so many artists you might require a foolscap jotter to name them all, but here is the place to understand why they made so many hungry hearts smile and swoon... 

PS: in this Bear Family "Ballads" Series of CD Reissues - see also CHARLIE RICH 

"Nothing But Good: 1952-1962" by HANK BALLARD and THE MIDNIGHTERS – Thirteen Albums Worth on Federal and King Records, Single-Only and EP Sides, Collaborations with Little Willie John and Seventeen Exclusive Previously Unreleased Tracks (January 2009 GERMAN Bear Family 5CD Remastered 150-Track LP-Sized Box Set with Hardback Book of Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

This Review Along With over 200 Others Is Available in my

SOUNDS GOOD E-Book on all Amazon sites

"MANNISH BOY" 

BLUES, VOCAL GROUPS, DOO WOP, ROOTS

RHYTHM 'n' BLUES and ROCK 'n' ROLL ON CD 

Exceptional CD Reissues and Remasters 

Thousands of E-Pages

All Details and In-Depth Reviews From Discs 

(No Cut and Paste Crap)

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"...Finger Poppin' Time..."

Bear Family Records of Germany owns a reputation most reissue labels would probably nobble baby-seal-loving Aunty Flo of the Peace Corps with a lump mallet to obtain. But every now and then, and even by their lofty standards, they stomp on that sucker so damn good that you're left reeling. 

For sure "Nothing But Good: 1952-1962" by Hank Ballard and The Midnighters isn't cheap (nor should it be) and it's not for the faint-hearted or lowly of wallet. But this LP-Sized Box Set and its sumptuous Hardback Book is the total Rhythm and Blues business (with occasional Doo Wops, Twists and Soul Shuffles thrown into the genre mix). 

Across five jam-packed CDs (check out those eye-watering total playing times) you get 150 tracks offering the listener a huge 13 US albums in full and of course all those Federal and King US 45s, Extended Play EPs and even some straggler tracks on a Little Willie John LP. And I count as many as Seventeen Previously Unissued Tracks making their digital debut here. There is much to discuss, fuss and muss over, so in the words of the great twisting entertainer himself - "Let's go, let's go, let's go..."

Released 20 January 2009 in Germany - "Nothing But Good - 1952-1962" by HANK BALLARD and THE MIDNIGHTERS on Bear Family BCD 16795 EK (Barcode 4000127167958) is a 5CD Remastered 150-Track LP-Sized Box Set (Seventeen Tracks Previously Unissued) with a Hardback Book that plays out as follows: 

CD1 (81:49 minutes, 32 Tracks)

CD2 (72:25 minutes, 27 Tracks)

CD3 (78:28 minutes, 30 Tracks) 

CD4 (81:49 minutes, 30 Tracks)

CD5 (81:06 minutes, 31 Tracks)

Bear Family have used the usual crew of R&B good-people DOUG POMEROY did the Disc Transfers, Bear Family's RICHARD WEIZE Produced the Box Set and did Tape Research alongside Tape Comparisons by DAVE BOOTH and BILL DAHL with Mastering by the mighty JURGEN CRASSER – the man who did the mucho-praised "Blowing The Fuse" 1945 to 1960 year-by-year CD series. The 86-page LP-Sized Hardback Book is likely to make even the most die-hard fan gasp – beautiful full-colour plates of Hank in-between album cover shoots, pages of all those King and Federal US 45s, the colour covers of so many LPs peppering the BILL DAHL and RICHARD WEIZE Discography. It’s stunning both visually and audibly. 

This box Set will also allow fans to sequence all of the albums, Extended Plays and Singles from the period (plus subsequent compilations) as follows:

THE MIDNIGHTERS Albums (all MONO):

1. "Their Greatest Hits" (1954 US 8-Track 10" LP on Federal 295-90)

2. "Their Greatest Hits" (1956 US 12-Track 12" LP on Federal 541 - further reissued twice as Hank Ballard and The Midnighters - see list below)

3. "Volume Two" (1958 US 12-Track 12" LP on King 581) - Lady reclining smoking a cigarette sleeve - see below

HANK BALLARD and THE MIDNIGHTERS Albums (all MONO): 

1. "Their Greatest Juke Box Hits" (1956 US 12-Track LP on King 541, 1st Reissue with HB by Jukebox Sleeve)

2. "Greatest Juke Box Hits" (1962 US 12-Track LP on King 541, 2nd Reissue with HB Holding Titles In His Hands)

3. "Singin' And Swingin'" (1959 US 14-Track LP on King 618)

4. "Volume Two" (1960s US 12-Track LP on King 581) - Hank Ballard and The Midnighters 'Vivid Sound' sleeve

5. "The One And Only" (1960 US 12-Track LP on King 674)

6. "Mr. Rhythm & Blues" (1960 US 12-Track LP on King 700 - Reissued in 1975 in the USA as "Finger Poppin' Time" on Power Pak PO-276)

7. "Spotlight On Hank Ballard" (1961 US 12-Track LP on King 740) 

8. "Let's Go Again" (1961 US 12-Track LP on King 748)

9. "Dance Along" (1961 US 12-Track LP on King 759) 

10. "The Twistin' Fools" (1962 US 12-Track LP on King 781)

11. "Jumpin" (1962 US 12-Track LP on King 793)

12. "Hank Ballard's Biggest Hits" (1963 US 12-Track LP on King 867)

13. "Glad, Sad, Shout, Sweet Fast, Slow, New and Blue Songs" (1965 US 12-Track LP on King 927)

Beginning with 1952's "Get It" when he began his career in the Vocal Group The Royals (charted in January 1953) on Federal Records – both as The Midnighters and then Hank Ballard and The Midnighters – Detroit, Michigan's finest placed a further twenty singles on the American Billboard R&B Charts – three of which went all the way to No. 1 - "Work With Me Annie" on Federal 12169 and "Annie Had A Baby" on Federal 12195 (both in 1954) and "Let's Go, Let's Go, Let's Go" in 1960. 

He and his band of R&B pirates were (along with Chubby Checker) also heavily involved in one of the dance crazes of the 60s – The Twist (that 45-single went to No. 6 on King 5171 in 1960). His last big chart showing in 1961 would be the title of this box set "Nothing But Good" on King 6196, which made No. 15. Ballard would trouble the R&B charts for the last time with The Dapps in 1968, but that's outside the purview of this Box Set. They are all here though - "The Switch-A-Roo", "The Hoochi Coochi Coo", "Finger Poppin' Time" and loads more to bop too. I also love those vocal group moments in the early years like "Tell Them" from 1954. 

A simple Best Of would suffice for most, and with regard to stretching further, I've reviewed the excellent October 2000 UK CD compilation by Ace Records called "Dancin' And Twistin'" that covers the full gamut from 1955 to 1969 – tapping into 45s on Federal and King that didn't chart as well. 

But this is the Rolls Royce of treatments and his fun-music legacy deserved nothing less. Ballard issued a US 45 in October 1953 on Federal 12150, the A-side being called "Hello Miss Fine". Well, if you can afford "Nothing But Good: 1952-1962", say hello to 'Mister Excellence' and then some...

"Classic" by THE EVERLY BROTHERS – Their Fifties Columbia and Cadence Records Output Including Three Albums In Full – The 1958 US Debut "The Everly Brothers", their 1958 Second Album "Songs Our Daddy Taught Us", their 1959 Third Album "The Fabulous Style Of..." (1960 UK) Plus Single-Sides, Rarities and Previously Unreleased (February 1992 GERMAN Bear Family 3CD 74-Track LP-Sized Box Set of Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

This Review Along With over 200 Others Is Available in my

SOUNDS GOOD E-Book on all Amazon sites

"MANNISH BOY" 

BLUES, VOCAL GROUPS, DOO WOP, ROOTS

RHYTHM 'n' BLUES and ROCK 'n' ROLL ON CD 

Exceptional CD Reissues and Remasters 

Thousands of E-Pages

All Details and In-Depth Reviews From Discs 

(No Cut and Paste Crap)

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"...Let It Be Me..."

In June 2021 – and with copyright laws for material of this age long ago gone out the moral window – I am sure you can find the stunning Fifties Cadence Records beginnings of The Everly Brothers for cash peanuts elsewhere. In fact I'd lay odds that if you listen close enough, some of the remasters from this famously thorough release have probably been dubbed and half-inched for myriad cheaper budget reissues (Bear Family has even sued over suchlike theft). 

So why spend money on this LP-sized behemoth that in late 2021 is fast approaching 30-years of age - old CDs being something of a pariah in the digital domain? Because its 'Bear Family' and they're the absolute biz-schnizz - the very best.

I've owned this LP-Sized beauty for decades now and it still feels like the words 'class act' were coined just to describe it (see photos below provided). There's a heap to discuss, so let's have at it....

Released 10 February 1992 in GERMANY - "Classic" by THE EVERLY BROTHERS on Bear Family BCD 15618 CI (Barcode 4000127156181) is a 3CD LP-Sized 74-Track Box Set of Remastered 1950s Columbia and Cadence Recordings in Mono (1955 to 1959) with Previously Unreleased that plays out as follows:

CD1 (48:06 minutes) 21 Tracks

CD2 (67:44 minutes) 24 Tracks

CD3 (68:39 minutes) 29 Tracks

The LP-sized colour booklet is a beautiful thing to behold that amidst black and whites snaps of the boys with Buddy Holly and other genre-luminaries of the day, are full-page colour plates of Don and Phil - young and fresh-faced – the clean-cut all-American lads with harmonising voices of gold. Pages 35 to 37 offer up an archive-type Columbia & Cadence Records US-based Discography put together by the award-winning musicologist and writer COLIN ESCOTT. It covers November 1955 through to the December 1959 sessions and you get American catalogue numbers for 45-singles, four-track E.P.s and full albums plus subsequent LP/CD reissues carrying tracks that were made in those early years. 

Take for instance the beautiful song "Let It Be Me" – it's on two CDs – Track 9 on Disc 2 is the master for the December 1959 US 45-single A-side of Cadence 1376 – while we find that Track 11 on Disc 3 is an outtake version exclusive to this box set. The discography then also lists the US Mono LP it appeared on – July 1960's "The Fabulous Style Of..." on Cadence CLP 3040 and further to that Cadence CLP 3062, a 1963 best of called "15 Everly Hits 15". Above the master entries are session players, studio dates, and any other relevant info. But the big news is the stunning clear Audio from two hugely experienced Audio Engineers - Rhino's BILL INGLOT and England's 'Boppin' BOB JONES - names collectors would actively seek out when it comes to Exceptional Remasters.

An irritation for me with these master-type discographies is that you get catalogue number references to albums like CLP 3025 for instance without it ever telling you what that LP's title actually is – "The Everly Brothers' Best" on Cadence Records. I always feel they should have a reference to what catalogue number is for what so you know what you're dealing with. Also, despite the Discography not surprisingly being almost-entirely US-based – there is the occasional nod towards UK releases when it warrants it. The 'One O'Clock Lyric version' of "Poor Jenny" famously appears only on the May 1959 UK 45-single on London HLA 8863 (and the British LP apparently) while the 'Ten O'Clock Lyric Version' appears on the US single and LP. This is noted. 

But the big news is the stunning clear Audio from two hugely experienced Audio Engineers - Rhino's BILL INGLOT and England's 'Boppin' BOB JONES - names collectors would actively seek out when it comes to Exceptional Remasters.

In fact if you want to sequence their first three albums from this box set, here’s how: 16/1 = Track 16 on Disc 1, 2/3 = Track 2 on Disc 3 etc

"The Everly Brothers"

January 1958 US Debut Album on Cadence CLP 3003 (Mono)

May 1958 UK Debut Album on London HA-A 2081 (Mono)

Side 1: This Little Girl Of Mine (16/1) / Maybe Tomorrow (10/1) / Bye Bye Love (6/1) / Brand New Heartache (11/1) / Keep-A Knockin' (13/1) Be Bop A Lula (17/1)

Side 2: Rip It Up (15/1) / I Wonder If I Care As Much (5/1) / Wake Up Little Susie (8/1) / Leave My Woman Alone (14/1) / Should We Tell Him (12/1) / Hey Doll Baby (9/1)

"Songs Our Daddy Taught Us"

 November 1958 US Second Album on Cadence CLP 3016 (Mono)

February 1959 UK Second Album on London HA-A 2150 (Mono)

Side 1: Roving Gambler (13/2) / Down In The Willow Garden (17/2) / Long Time Gone (18/2) / Lightning Express (19/2) That Silver Haired Daddy Of Mine (20/2) / Who's Gonna Shoe Your Pretty Little Feet (14/2)

Side 2: Barbara Allen (21/2) / Oh So Many Years (22/2) / I'm Here To Get My Baby Out Of Jail (23/2) / Rockin' Alone (In An Old Rocking Chair) (15/2) / Kentucky (24/2) / Put My Little Shoes Away (16/2)

"The Fabulous Style Of The Everly Brothers"

July 1960 US Third Studio Album * on Cadence CLP 3040 (Mono)

October 1960 UK Third Studio Album *** on London HA-2266 (Mono)

Side 1: Like Strangers (11/2) / Since You Broke My Heart (1/2) / Let It Be Me (9/2) / Oh, What A Feeling (8/2) / Take A Message To Mary (3/2) / Brand New Heartache (11/1)

Side 2:  When Will I Be Loved (12/2) / Rip It Up (15/1) / ('Til) I Kissed You (7/2) / Hey Doll Baby (9/1) / Poor Jenny (5/2) ** / Be Bop A Lula (17/1)

NOTES ("The Fabulous Style Of..."):

* Although this is technically their third US album, "The Fabulous Style Of..." is a compilation that features Four Tracks from the debut while the other eight cuts are the A&B-sides of Four US 45s that hadn't appeared on a US LP up to this point

** the song "Poor Jenny" comes in two forms - the 'Ten O'Clock Lyric Version' that appears on the US albums CLP 3040 and CLP 3062 (Track 5, Disc 2) while the 'One O'Clock Lyric version' appears only on the May 1959 UK 45-single on London HLA 8863 that cut is Track 4 on Disc 2 (the UK LP cut is the Ten O'Clock version)

*** The UK LP variant features a different track list as follows

Side 1: Like Strangers (11/2) / All I Have To Do Is Dream (18/1) / Claudette (19/1) / Oh, What A Feeling (8/2) / Take A Message To Mary (3/2) / Devoted To You (20/1)

Side 2: When Will I Be Loved (12/2) / Bird Dog (21/1) / ('Til) I Kissed You (7/2) / Problems (1 / 2) / Poor Jenny ** (5/2) / Love Of My Life (2/2)

All the huge Billboard Pop hits are here - "Bye Bye Love" (No. 2 in 1957 with "I Wonder If I Care As Much" on the flipside), "Wake Up Little Susie" (No. 1 in 1957), "This Little Girl Of Mine" (No. 26 in 1958), "All I Have To Do Is Dream" (No. 1 in 1958 with "Claudette" on the flipside) and so on until "Let It Be Me" in January 1960 (No. 7 on the charts) marked the transition over to Warner Brothers for the rest of the Sixties. "Bird Dog" also hit No. 1 in 1958, "Problems" went to No. 2 and other chart notables include "Take A Message To Mary", "Poor Jenny" and "('Til) I Kissed You". The Brothers charted 14 songs in that period and they are all here is best Audio. 

Bear continued their thorough exploration of the Everlys musical legacy by going all out on the next two sets - "The Price Of Fame 1960-1965" came in January 2006 and covered the first part of the Warner Brothers Years (7CDs) - while "Chained To A Memory 1966-1972" came in June 2006 and its 8CDs+1DVD covered the remaining Warner Brothers catalogue. 

I know "Classic" is expensive as all Bear Family tomes tend to be – but put it to you this way – any Box set that is still on catalogue after nearly 30 years has to have done something right in the first place. Beautiful and then some...

PS: Bear Family followed up this release with a real gem that I've also reviewed - "Studio Outtakes" from February 2006 featured 34 x 1950s Cadence Recordings Outtakes onto 1 CD (79:42 minutes), all Remastered and placed in a Mini Clamshell Box Set with a substantial booklet (Bear Family BCD 15931 AR - Barcode 4000127159311). If you've any love for the Harmony Vocals of the Ev's then you will need that too...