"The Golden Age Of American Rock ‘n’ Roll Volume 2: Hot 100 Hits From 1954-1963" by VARIOUS (1993 Ace Records CD – Duncan Cowell Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Down The Aisle Of Love..."

In the liner notes for Volume 2 of this wonderfully evocative CD reissue series ("The Golden Age Of American Rock 'n' Roll") – the collector-friendly British label Ace Records states - "...Once again only the best quality master tapes have been used in this compilation after months of research..." – and you have to say they kept their promise. After years of needle-drops by other less scrupulous reissue companies – the audio quality on this second CD volume is right up there. And even now in 2015 – 22 years after its initial release – Volume 2 is still on catalogue...

The second instalment follows the same route as Volume 1 – 30 cleverly sequenced Mono US 7" singles (only "You Belong To Me" by The Duprees is in Stereo) – a nice mixture of the obvious with the obscure/rare (three US numbers 1s while only 5 of these 30 American releases charted in the UK) – and all presented to fans by a record company that knows and cares and has a reputation to maintain. The full 18 volumes in Ace's "The Golden Age Of American Rock 'n' Roll" CD Series to 2015 are listed below. So while Link Wray's guitar has a 'Rumble' somewhere 'In The Still Of The Nite' - here are the details for 'Alley Oop' who's only looking to 'Get A Job' (if you get my 'Buzz Buzz Buzz')...

UK and USA released March 1992 - "The Golden Age Of American Rock 'n' Roll Volume 2: Hot 100 Hits From 1954-1963" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Ace Records CDCHD 445 (Barcode 029667144520) is a 30-track CD and breaks down as follows (74:26 minutes):

1. Memphis – LONNIE MACK

June 1963 US 7" single on Fraternity 906 (peaked at 5)

July 1963 UK 7" single on Stateside SS 207 (peaked at 47)

An Instrumental of a Chuck Berry classic

2. I Sold My Heart To The Junkman – THE BLUE-BELLES

May 1962 USA 7” single on Newtown 5000 (peaked at 15)

June 1962 UK 7" single on HMV Records POP 1029 (didn’t chart)

Girl Vocal Group featuring Sarah Dash and Nona Hendryx from The Del-Capris and Patti LaBelle (as Pat Hunt) with Cindy Birdsong from The Ordettes

3. You Belong To Me – THE DUPREES

June 1962 US 7" single on Coed 569 (peaked at 7)

October 1962 UK 7" single on HMV Records 45-POP 1073 (didn’t chart)

A cover version of a Pee Wee King song from the 40s made famous by Jo Stafford in 1952. This track is in the only one on the compilation in Stereo.

4. Your Ma Said You Cried In Your Sleep Last Night – KENNY DINO

November 1961 US 7" single on Musicor 1013 (peaked at 24)

December 1961 UK 7" single on HMV Records 45-POP 960 (didn’t chart)

5. A Million To One – JIMMY CHARLES

August 1960 US 7" single on Promo 1002 (peaked at 5)

October 1960 UK 7" single on London HLU 9206 (didn’t chart)

6. Rockin’ In The Jungle – THE ETERNALS

August 1959 USA 7" single on Hollywood 68 (peaked at 78)

November 1959 UK 7" single on London HL 8995 (didn't chart)

7. Wild Weekend – THE ROCKIN’ REBELS

March 1963 USA 7" single on Swan 4125 (peaked at 8)

March 1963 UK 7" single on Stateside SS 162 (didn’t chart)

Credited as THE REBELS in the USA, THE ROCKIN’ REBELS in the UK. An instrumental recorded in late 1960 and initially released February 1961 on Mar-Lee Records 0094

8. Stay – MAURICE WILLIAMS and THE ZODIACS

September 1960 USA 7" single on Herald 552 (peaked at 1)

December 1960 UK 7" single on Top Rank JAR 526 (peaked at 14)

9. Down The Aisle Of Love – THE QUINTONES

September 1958 USA 7" single on Hunt 321 (peaked at 18)

First released in 1958 in the USA on Red Top 108 - Not released in the UK

10. Mountain Of Love – HAROLD DORMAN

April 1960 USA 7" single on Rita 1003 (peaked at 21)

April 1960 UK 7" single on Top Rank JAR 357 (didn’t chart)

Johnny Rivers had a No. 9 hit with the song in November 1964 on Imperial 66075 – Charley Pride also cut a Country version of the tune in 1982

11. Nag – THE HALOS

August 1961 USA 7" single on Seven Arts 709 (peaked at 25)

September 1961 UK 7" single on London HLU 9424 (didn't chart)

The Halos sang backing vocals on "Pretty Little Angels Eyes" by Curtis Lee on Volume 1 in this series

12. Let The Little Girl Dance – BILLY BLAND

March 1960 USA 7" single on Old Town 1076 (peaked at No.7)

April 1960 UK 7" single on London HL 9096 (peaked at 15)

Backing singers are The Miller Sisters

13. There’s A Moon Out Tonight – THE CAPRIS

January 1961 USA 7" single on Old Town 1094 (peaked at 3)

March 1961 UK 7" single on Columbia DB 4605 (didn't chart)

A Vocal group song originally released in 1958 on Planet 1010 (very rare -booked at $1000+), reissued in 1961 on Lost Nite 101 and thirdly on Old Town 1094 which finally charted in early 1961.

14. Get A Job – THE SILHOUETTES

July 1958 USA 7" single on Ember 1029 (peaked at 1)

February 1958 UK 7" single on Parlophone R 4407 (didn't chart)

A bopping Vocal group number 1 hit on both the POP and R&B charts in the USA – oddly it didn’t chart in the UK

15. You – THE AQUATONES

April 1958 USA 7" single on Fargo 1001 (peaked at 21)

May 1958 UK 7" single on London HL) 8631 (didn't chart)

16. Buzz Buzz Buzz – THE HOLLYWOOD FLAMES

November 1957 USA 7" single on Ebb 119 (peaked at 5 R&B and 11 Pop)

January 1958 UK 7" single on London HL 8545 (didn’t chart)

17. I’ve Had It - THE BELL NOTES

January 1959 USA 7" single on Time 1004 (peaked at No. 6)

February 1959 UK 7" single on Top Rank JAR 102 (didn't chart)

18. I Know (You Don’t Love Me No More) – BARBARA GEORGE

December 1961 USA 7" single on A.F.O. 302 (peaked at 3 Pop, 1 R&B)

February 1962 UK 7" single on London HL 9513 (didn't chart)

19. Mister Lonely – THE VIDELS

July 1960 USA 7" single on JDS 5004 (peaked at 73)

July 1960 UK 7" single on London HLI 9153 (didn’t chart)

20. In The Still Of The Nite – THE FIVE SATINS

September 1956 USA 7" single on Ember 1005 (peaked at 24)

Not released in the UK

21. Church Bells May Wring – THE WILLOWS

May 1956 USA 7” single on Melba 102 (peaked at 62)

June 1956 UK 7" single on London HLL 8290 (didn’t chart)

Features Lead Vocals by Tony Middleton

22. That’s Life (That’s Tough) – GABRIEL & THE ANGELS

December 1962 USA 7" single on Swan 4118 (peaked at 51)

January 1963 UK 7" single on Stateside SS 150 (didn’t chart)

23. Rumble – LINK WRAY and HIS RAY MEN

May 1958 USA 7" single on Cadence 1347 (peaked at 16)

March 1959 UK 7" single on London HLA 8623 (didn't chart)

24. Let’s Stomp – BOBBY COMSTOCK

March 1963 USA 7" single on Lawn 2021 (peaked at 57)

March 1963 UK 7" single on Stateside SS 163 (didn’t chart)

25. Oh Julie – THE CRESCENDOS

January 1958 USA 7" single on Nasco 2006 (peaked at 5)

February 1958 UK 7" single on London HLU 8563 (didn't chart)

Lead singer Dale Ward re-recorded the song when he went solo as a B-side to “Letter From Sherry” on London HLD 9835 in January 1964

26. Little Darlin’ – THE GLADIOLAS

April 1957 USA 7" single on Excello 2101 (peaked at 51)

May 1957 UK 7" single on London HLO 8435 (didn't chart)

Written by Maurice Williams who also penned “Stay” – see entry 8

27. Teen Beat – SANDY NELSON

January 1959 USA 7" single on Original Sound 5 (peaked at 4)

October 1959 UK 7" single on Top Rank JAR 197 (peaked at 9)

This drum-based instrumental was reissued in the UK in December 1960

28. Diamonds And Pearls by THE PARADONS

September 1960 USA 7" single on Milestone 2003 (peaked at 18 Pop, 27 R&B in October 1960)

October 1960 UK 7" single on Top Rank JAR 514 (didn’t chart)

29. Alley Oop – THE HOLLYWOOD ARGYLES

March 1960 USA 7” single on Lute 5905 (peaked at 1)

June 1960 UK 7” single on London HLU 9146 (peaked at 24)

30. California Sun – THE RIVIERAS

January 1964 USA 7” single on Riviera 1401 (peaked at 5)

February 1964 UK 7” single on Pye International 7N.25237 (didn’t chart)

NOTES: all tracks are in MONO except "You Belong To Me” by The Duprees (track 2) - which is in STEREO

The 12-page booklet (written by ROB FINNIS in January 1993) now seems like a rather slight affair compared to the regular 24-page feast Ace treats its fans to in 2015. But don’t let that fool you – it’s packed to the gills with detail collectors hoover up – dates, names and musical connecting-the-dots. On the rear page of the booklet there is a colour collage of all those gorgeous British 45s in their funky Top Rank, Stateside, Columbia, London, HMV and Parlophone label bags. Finnis has also sequenced the disc and it plays like an old jukebox – and as you can see above – the playing time is more than generous.

The DUNCAN COWELL Remasters are what makes collectors itch with pleasure - blindingly good Audio quality on rarities like "You" by The Aquatones - popular R&B dancers like "Let The Little Girl Dance" from Billy Bland and real warmth on echoed Vocal Group turns like "Church Bells May Ring" by The Willows. Ace explains that lip-smacking in front of microphones can sound like clicks – as if its been dubbed from discs – but they assure us that these transfers are about 'real tapes' aimed at collectors who want the best and I have to say they've done an impressive job – especially given the wild and varying nature of each recording.

Volume 2 opens on a winner – a rocking guitar instrumental of a Chuck Berry classic "Memphis" by Lonnie Mack where the Illinois axeman sounds as cool as "Green Onions" (bit of a feat that). Girl group frenzy comes at you with the neck-jerker "I Sold My Heart To The Junkman" by The Blue belles featuring Nona Hendryx and Patti LaBelle - while the truly gorgeous "You Belong To Me" (here in Stereo) by The Duprees feels like something out of a Post World War II dancehall as glad-hearted soldiers smooch with their sweethearts. The decidedly Charlie Rich quiver-like vocals of Kenny Dino made "Your Ma Said You Cried In Your Sleep Last Night" a winner with the public (even if the writers and makers hated it - the liner notes explain) - while the ghost of Frankie Lymon lingers over "A Million To One" by Jimmy Charles where he sounds like a 12-year old trying to tell some teen babe the depth of his feelings towards her petticoats.

The bird calls of the bopping "Rockin' In The Jungle" by The Eternals practically guarantees its immortality while the echoed guitar instrumental "Wild Weekend" by The Rebels must have seemed so cool on jukeboxes back in the day. I've never liked either "Stay" by Maurice Williams or the dreadful "Little Darlin'" by The Gladiolas (even if they sound brill here) – better is the marital melodrama of the organ-driven "Down The Aisle Of Love" where the girl in The Quintones expresses the longing of a million teenagers. Harold Dorman is standing on the "Mountain Of Love" looking down at the city below hoping that his one-and-only will join him (might want to move on Harry) - while over on the other side of paradise The Halos can't wait to see the back of their lady who is apparently a bit of a "Nag" and will drive them all to an early grave.

As I said of Volume 1 – what’s great about these Ace compilations is the oddities – a fabulous guitar-driven-beat underpins the "la la la" chorus of "I've Had It" by The Bell Notes making them sound like Dion and his Belmonts on a good day - while the New Orleans swagger of Barbara George propels along the wickedly good "I Know (You Don't Love Me No More)". A pining "Mister Lonely" by The Videls crosses that line between white boy vocal groups and pure pop while the school of hard knocks is learned by the chick-obsessed Gabriel & The Angels in "That's Life (That's Tough)". But genius choice for the whole compilation has to go to the fab Frat Rock groove of "Let's Stomp" by the slightly rude sounding Bobby Comstock. "Let's Stomp" is the kind of brill upbeat Fraternity party tune that would bring life back to the decomposing corpse of an Algebra teacher. And how can you not love the guitar-rattling menace of "Rumble" by Link Wray and his moody gang of bikers The Ray Men - or the bopping chain-saw fun and games of "Buzz Buzz Buzz" by The Hollywood Flames.

We return to Elvis Presley hiccup vocal style on "Oh Julie" by The Crescendos (a great inclusion) while Sandy Nelson's drum-rattling "Teen Beat" still sounds amazing after all these decades. Vocal Groups provide the sporadic period Romance – the kiss that sets me on fire of "Diamonds And Pearls" by The Paradons – the let's go strolling in the park of "There's A Moon Out Tonight" by The Capris and the held-you-tight of "In The Still Of The Nite" by The Five Satins. And after all that musical nostalgia par excellence - it all ends on the brill shake your booty-thang of "California Sun" by The Rivieras where everyone is "out there having fun..." – and you can't help thinking - I'm gonna me some of that...

Volume 2 feels like a huge improvement over Volume 1 (which is a wee gem anyway). Volume 2 rocks more – is massively evocative of the period and cleverly paced too. But most important of all – it’s blindingly great fun to listen to - stirring up so many fond memories (even if you weren't there you will feel all "American Graffiti" after this).

But most of all you get a real sense of why UK fans in the 50ts and 60ts looked to the USA with such awe. The Yanks had it all – the cool - the cars - the girls - the film stars and best of all - the music. And there are seventeen more volumes where that came from...

PS: Titles in "The Golden Age Of American Rock 'n' Roll" CD Series are:

1. The Golden Age Of American Rock 'n' Roll: Hard-To-Get Hot 100 Hits From 1954-63 (Ace CDCHD 289, November 1991)

2. The Golden Age Of American Rock 'n' Roll Volume 2: Hot 100 Hits From 1954-1963 (Ace CDCHD 445, March 1993)

3. The Golden Age Of American Rock 'n' Roll Volume 3: Hot 100 Hits From 1954-1963 (Ace CDCHD 497, January 1994)

4. The Golden Age Of American Rock 'n' Roll Volume 4: Hot 100 Hits From 1954-1963 (Ace CDCHD 500, October 1994)

5. The Golden Age Of American Rock 'n' Roll Volume 5: Hot 100 Hits From 1954-1963 (Ace CDCHD 600, October 1995)

6. The Golden Age Of American Rock 'n' Roll Volume 6: 30 Hot 100 Hits From 1954-1963 (Ace CDCHD 650, January 1997)

7. The Golden Age Of American Rock 'n' Roll Volume 7: Hot 100 Hits From 1954-1963 (Ace CDCHD 700, November 1998)

8. The Golden Age Of American Rock 'n' Roll Volume 8: Hot 100 Hits From 1954-1963 (Ace CDCHD 750, November 1999)

9. The Golden Age Of American Rock 'n' Roll Volume 9: Hot 100 Hits From 1954-1963 (Ace CDCHD 800, February 2001)

10. The Golden Age Of American Rock 'n' Roll Volume 10: Hot 100 Hits From 1954-1963 (Ace CDCHD 850, September 2002)

11. The Golden Age Of American Rock 'n' Roll Volume 11: Hot 100 Hits From 1954-1963 (Ace CDCHD 1200, September 2007)

12. The Golden Age Of American Rock 'n' Roll Volume 12: 30 Hot 100 Hits From 1954-1963 (Ace CDCHD 1280, February 2011)

13. The Golden Age Of American Rock 'n' Roll: Special Country Edition (Ace CDCHD 845, April 2002)

14. The Golden Age Of American Rock 'n' Roll: Special Novelty Edition (Ace CDCHD 890, November 2003)

15. The Golden Age Of American Rock 'n' Roll: Special Doo Wop Edition 1953-1963 (Ace CDCHD 1000, May 2004)

16. The Golden Age Of American Rock 'n' Roll: Special "Bubbling Under" Edition – Regional Hits That Just Missed The Hot 100 1959-1963 (Ace CDCHD 1050, March 2006)

17. The Golden Age Of American Rock 'n' Roll – The Follow-Up Hits: Hard-To-Get Hot 100 Hits (Ace CDCHD 1190, January 2008)
18.  The Golden Age Of American Rock 'n' Roll: Special Doo Wop Edition Volume 2 1956-1963 (Ace CDCHD 1230, May 2009)

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 "..Since I Don't Have You..."

Volume 1 in this rather cool Ace Records CD reissue series ("The Golden Age Of American Rock 'n' Roll") concentrates on two things really – original master tapes and rarity. You might think that the first would be fairly obvious for a reissue company (original master tapes) - but Ace of the UK assure us in their extensive liner notes that even as far back as 1991 - getting the real deal seemed to be a real problem. Even well known tracks were essentially needle–drops on the CD issues of the time (dubbed from disc).

The second draw for collectors and music lovers is 'rarity' – one look at the 30-title track list on the rear shows that only six of these songs actually charted in the UK while a few of those American originals barely even scraped their top 50. Having said that you get lots of Number 2s and 3s (Top 10 too) and all in the best sound quality available at the time. Two cuts - "Cindy's Birthday" by Johnny Crawford and "Since I Don’t Have You" by The Skyliners are here in glorious Stereo because the mono cuts are embellished with strings and these are the best takes available. The full 18 volumes in Ace's "The Golden Age Of American Rock 'n' Roll" CD Series to 2015 are listed below. Here are the poppermost of the toppermost for Volume 1...

UK released November 1991 (December 1991 in the USA) - "The Golden Age Of American Rock 'n' Roll: Hard-To-Get Hot 100 Hits From 1954-63" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Ace Records CDCHD 289 (Barcode 029667128926) is a 30-track CD and breaks down as follows (78:22 minutes):

1. Denise – RANDY & THE RAINBOWS

July 1963 US 7" single on Rust 5059 (peaked at 10)

August 1963 UK 7" single on Stateside SS 214 (didn't chart)

England's BLONDIE took a cover of this song credited as "Denis (Denee)" to Number 2 in February 1978 on Chrysalis CHS 2204

2. Sally, Go 'Round The Roses – THE JAYNETTS

August 1963 USA 7” single on Tuff 369 (peaked at 2)

October 1963 UK 7" single on Stateside SS 227 (didn’t chart)

3. Mule Skinner Blues – THE FENDERMEN

June 1960 US 7" single on Soma 1137 (peaked at 5)

August 1960 UK 7" single on Top Rank JAR 395 (peaked at 32)

4. Sixteen Candles – THE CRESTS

December 1958 US 7" single on Coed 506 (peaked at 2)

January 1959 UK 7" single on London HL 8974 (didn’t chart)

Featured Johnny Maestro on Lead Vocals

5. Pretty Little Angel Eyes – CURTIS LEE

July 1961 US 7" single on Dunes 2007 (peaked at 7)

July 1961 UK 7" single on London HLX 9397 (peaked at 47)

A Phil Spector Production. Showaddywaddy – a British Rock 'n' Roll Revival band - charted a cover version of it in November 1978 at No. 5 on Arista ARIST 222

6. I Love How You Love Me – THE PARIS SISTERS

September 1961 USA 7" single on Gregmark 6 (peaked at 5)

October 1961 UK 7" single on Top Rank JAR 588 (didn't chart)

7. The Big Hurt – MISS TONY FISHER

November 1959 USA 7" single on Signet 275 (peaked at 3)

December 1959 UK 7" single on Top rank JAR 261 (peaked at 30)

8. A Thousand Stars – KATHY YOUNG with THE INNOCENTS

October 1960 USA 7" single on Indigo 108 (peaked at 3)

January 1961 UK 7" single on Top Rank JAR 534 (didn't chart)

9. Rockin' Robin – BOBBY DAY

November 1958 USA 7" single on Class 229 (peaked at 2)

December 1958 UK 7" single on London HL 8726 (peaked at 29)

Real name Robert Byrd

10. Earth Angel – THE PENGUINS

December 1954 USA 7" single on DooTone 348 (peaked at 8)

January 1955 UK 7" single on London HL 8114 (didn’t chart)

A million-seller - No. 1 on the US R&B Charts

11. Bongo Rock – PRESTON EPPS

May 1959 USA 7" single on Original Sound 4 (peaked at 14)

June 1959 UK 7" single on Top Rank JAR 140 (didn't chart)

12. Tossin' And Turnin' – BOBBY LEWIS

May 1961 USA 7" single on Beltone 1002 (peaked at No.1)

June 1961 UK 7" single on Parlophone R 4794 (didn’t chart)

13. My True Story – THE JIVE FIVE

August 1961 USA 7" single on Beltone 1006 (peaked at 3)

September 1961 UK 7" single on Parlophone R 4822 (didn't chart)

14. Stranded In The Jungle – THE CADETS

July 1956 USA 7" single on Modern 994 (peaked at 15)

October 1966 UK 7" single on London HLU 8313 (didn't chart)

Originally released by The Jayhawks (aka The Vibrations) who charted their 7" single on Flash 109 in the 'same month' as The Cadets version – The Jayhawks version peaked at 18 on USA R&B

15. Angel Baby – ROSIE & THE ORIGINALS

December 1960 USA 7" single on Highland 10011 (peaked at 5)

January 1961 UK 7" single on London HLU 9266 (didn't chart)

This CD uses the American original, which apparently has an extra verse the British version doesn't

16. Party Lights – CLAUDINE CLARK

July 1962 USA 7" single on Chancellor 1113 (peaked at 5)

August 1962 UK 7" single on Pye International 7N.25157 (didn’t chart)

17. When We Get Married – THE DREAMLOVERS

August 1961 USA 7" single on Heritage 102 (peaked at No. 10)

September 1961 UK 7" single on Columbia DB 4711 (didn't chart)

18. Cindy's Birthday – JOHNNY CRAWFORD

May 1962 USA 7" single on Del-Fi 4178 (peaked at 8)

June 1962 UK 7" single on Pye International 7N.25145 (didn't chart)

19. Let's Dance – CHRIS MONTEZ

September 1962 USA 7" single on Monogram 505 (peaked at 4)

September 1962 UK 7" single on London HL 9596 (peaked at 2)

20. Who's That Knocking – THE GENIES

January 1959 USA 7" single on Shad 5002 (peaked at 71)

Not released in the UK

21. Love You So – RON HOLDEN

April 1960 USA 7” single on Donna 1315 (peaked at 7)

May 1960 UK 7" single on London HLU 9116 (didn’t chart)

The USA record label ‘Donna’ was named after the Richie Valens hit

22. Cherry Pie – SKIP & FLIP

April 1960 USA 7" single on Brent 7010 (peaked at 11)

April 1960 UK 7" single on Top Rank JAR 358 (didn’t chart)

Gary "Flip" Paxton and Clyde "Skip" Battin. "Cherry Pie" is a cover version of a 1954 Marvin and Johnny B-side on Modern 933 ("Tick Tock" is the A-side). Gary "Flip" Paxton later formed The Hollywood Argyles (see Volume 2, Track 29, "Alley Oop") and started the Garpax label (see my review for "Keep A Hold On Him: More Garpax Girls"). "Skip" Battin was an original member of The Byrds, New Riders Of The Purple Sage and The Flying Burrito Brothers. The first 1959 Skip & Flip hit "It Was You" is Track 17 on Volume 3. 

23. Since I Don't Have You – THE SKYLINERS

March 1959 USA 7" single on Calico 103 (peaked at 12)

March 1959 UK 7" single on London HLB 8829 (didn't chart)

24. Louie Louie – THE KINGSMEN

August 1963 USA 7" single on Wand 143 (peaked at 2)

December 1963 UK 7" single on Pye International 7N.25231 (peaked at 26)

25. Since I Fell For You – LENNY WELCH

July 1963 USA 7" single on Cadence 1439 (peaked at 4)

November 1963 UK 7" single on London HLA 9810 (didn't chart)

26. Image Of A Girl – THE SAFARIS

July 1960 USA 7" single on Eldo 101 (peaked at 6)

August 1960 UK 7" single on Top Rank JAR 424 (didn't chart)

27. Smoky Places – THE CORSAIRS featuring Jay "Bird" Uzzell

January 1962 USA 7" single on Tuff 1808 (peaked at 12)

Not released in the UK

28. Gee Whizz – THE INNOCENTS

January 1961 USA 7" single on Indigo 111 (peaked at 28)

February 1961 UK 7" single on Top Rank JAR 541 (didn’t chart)

29. A Little Bit Of Love – THE JARMELS

August 1961 USA 7” single on Laurie 3098 (peaked at 12)

September 1961 UK 7” single on Top Rank JAR 580 (didn’t chart)

30. Eddie My Love – THE TEEN QUEENS

March 1956 USA 7” single on RPM Records RPM 453 (peaked at 14)

April 1956 UK 7” single on R&B Records MRB 5000 (didn’t chart)

Betty and Rosie Collins (The Teen Queens) were the sisters of Aaron Collins of the Vocal Groups The Cadets/The Jacks (see entry 14)

NOTES: all tracks are in MONO except "Cindy's Birthday" (18) and "Since I Don't Have You" (23) - which are in STEREO

As this was the first CD in a near 20-disc series released way back in the mists of a 1991 winter – the 12-page booklet (written by ROB FINNIS in September 1991) now seems like a rather slight affair compared to the regular 24-page feast Ace treats its fans to in 2015. In fact my 1991 copy has typo errors galore – several of the artist names supposed to be in colour amidst the black and white text are completely missing – white gaps in their place! On the upside there’s a centre two-page collage of all those gorgeous British 45s in their funky Top Rank, Stateside, Columbia and London label bags. Finnis has also sequenced the disc and it plays like an old jukebox.

The DUNCAN COWELL Remasters do the best with what he’s got. For instance the audio on The Jaynetts popular "Sally, Go 'Round The Roses" is so far back in the echo'd mix as to be hard to actually hear (its not great but that's just the nature of the original recording) - while "Louie Louie" by The Kingsmen comes at you like an Animal House soundtrack to 60ts America – a frat party ready to explode. Ace explains that lip-smacking in front of microphones can sound like clicks – as if its been dubbed from discs – but they assure us that these transfers are about 'real tapes' aimed at collectors who want the best and I have to say they've done an impressive job – especially given the wild and varying nature of each recording.

It’s decidedly odd for a guy who went through Punk and New Wave to hear "Denise" done by anyone other than Blondie – but here it is in its 1963 Vocal Group glory by the delightfully titled Randy & The Rainbows. The audio on the oddity "Mule Skinner Blues" is superlative even if the yicky-eye-aye nature of the song is painful to listen to. Vocal group magic crops up a lot – "Sixteen Candles" by The Crests, "I Love How You Love Me" by The Paris Sisters (a bit hissy), "Earth Angel" by The Penguins and the wonderful "Since I Don't Have You" by The Skyliners. Boppers come in the shape of the infectious "Rockin' Robin" by Bobby Day (re-charted by The Jackson 5 with Michael Jackson in the early 70ts), the swivel-hips sensation of "Let's Dance" by Chris Montez and the do-the-frat-until-the-early-hours drunken fun of "Louie Louie" by The Kingsmen preceded by a wicked "Tossin' And Turnin'" from Bobby Lewis.

But what is great about these Ace compilations is the oddities – a fabulous and wild drum fandango from Preston Epps on his "Bongo Rock" – a girl group bopper from a Millie-sounding Claudine Clark where she longs for the "Party Lights" but mama won’t let her go – and the R&B Vocal Group "...boom boom boom...bang bang bang..." of "Who's That Knocking" by The Genies. Teenage longing and innocence surfaces on "Cindy's Birthday" by the 14-year old Johnny Crawford while the tick-tock "Image Of A Girl" by The Surfaris is full of choir boys with longing loins. There's beautiful audio quality on "When We Get Married" by the smooching vocal group The Dreamlovers - while the strings and crooner feel of Lenny Welch's "Since I Feel For You" comes over as more Ole Blue Eyes Sinatra than Chuck Berry Rock 'n' Roll. It ends on the lone chart entry by The Teen Queens - the impossibly evocative "Eddie My Love" – a song that practically sums up the teenage experience of the period.

It won't all be to everyone's tastes of course and in truth you'd be hard-pressed to find what most of us call 'actual' Rock 'n' Roll – but like all great compilations – it's evocative, cleverly sequenced and great fun to listen too (stirring up so many fond memories). But most of all you get a real sense of why UK fans in the 50ts and 60ts looked to the USA with such awe. The Yanks had it all – the cool - the cars - the girls - the film stars and best of all - the music. And there are seventeen more volumes where that came from...

Titles in Ace's "The Golden Age Of American Rock 'n' Roll" CD Series are:

1. The Golden Age Of American Rock 'n' Roll: Hard-To-Get Hot 100 Hits From 1954-63 (Ace CDCHD 289, November 1991)

2. The Golden Age Of American Rock 'n' Roll Volume 2: Hot 100 Hits From 1954-1963 (Ace CDCHD 445, March 1993)

3. The Golden Age Of American Rock 'n' Roll Volume 3: Hot 100 Hits From 1954-1963 (Ace CDCHD 497, January 1994)

4. The Golden Age Of American Rock 'n' Roll Volume 4: Hot 100 Hits From 1954-1963 (Ace CDCHD 500, October 1994)

5. The Golden Age Of American Rock 'n' Roll Volume 5: Hot 100 Hits From 1954-1963 (Ace CDCHD 600, October 1995)

6. The Golden Age Of American Rock 'n' Roll Volume 6: 30 Hot 100 Hits From 1954-1963 (Ace CDCHD 650, January 1997)

7. The Golden Age Of American Rock 'n' Roll Volume 7: Hot 100 Hits From 1954-1963 (Ace CDCHD 700, November 1998)

8. The Golden Age Of American Rock 'n' Roll Volume 8: Hot 100 Hits From 1954-1963 (Ace CDCHD 750, November 1999)

9. The Golden Age Of American Rock 'n' Roll Volume 9: Hot 100 Hits From 1954-1963 (Ace CDCHD 800, February 2001)

10. The Golden Age Of American Rock 'n' Roll Volume 10: Hot 100 Hits From 1954-1963 (Ace CDCHD 850, September 2002)

11. The Golden Age Of American Rock 'n' Roll Volume 11: Hot 100 Hits From 1954-1963 (Ace CDCHD 1200, September 2007)

12. The Golden Age Of American Rock 'n' Roll Volume 12: 30 Hot 100 Hits From 1954-1963 (Ace CDCHD 1280, February 2011)

13. The Golden Age Of American Rock 'n' Roll: Special Country Edition (Ace CDCHD 845, April 2002)

14. The Golden Age Of American Rock 'n' Roll: Special Novelty Edition (Ace CDCHD 890, November 2003)

15. The Golden Age Of American Rock 'n' Roll: Special Doo Wop Edition 1953-1963 (Ace CDCHD 1000, May 2004)

16. The Golden Age Of American Rock 'n' Roll: Special "Bubbling Under" Edition – Regional Hits That Just Missed The Hot 100 1959-1963 (Ace CDCHD 1050, March 2006)

17. The Golden Age Of American Rock 'n' Roll – The Follow-Up Hits: Hard-To-Get Hot 100 Hits (Ace CDCHD 1190, January 2008)
18.  The Golden Age Of American Rock 'n' Roll: Special Doo Wop Edition Volume 2 1956-1963 (Ace CDCHD 1230, May 2009)

"3-Track Shack" by LINK WRAY [including Mordicai Jones] (2015 Ace Records 2CD Set Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...Black River Swamp..."

Even as a veteran of secondhand record shops and a rarities buyer for nearly 20 years at the fab Reckless Records in London – I'm kind of shocked at the sheer undiscovered classiness of this Link Wray music. Truthfully I never gave it the time of day back in the day. In fact I can recall seeing British copies of 1971's "Link Wray" turn up in our busy Berwick Street shop in its American die-cut gatefold sleeve with his side profile face – and we’d all sigh. The same would apply to the other album culled from these sessions - the single sleeve UK issue of MORDICAI JONES by Mordicai Jones (a gatefold in the USA with different artwork). We knew from previous experience that these obscure LPs would sit in our racks for months on end - until eventually reduced to a nominal amount - someone would buy them as a curio rather than a sought-out deliberate purchase. How times have changed...

For this superb UK 2CD reissue the simplest comparison musically is The Band and Folk-Rock Americana. Most fans who worship the ground that The Band's "Music From Big Pink" (1968) and "The Band" (1969) walks on – they would never in their wildest dreams look at the Rock 'n' Roll guitar 'rumble' of Carolina Shawnee Indian LINK WRAY and think 'Americana' – the beginnings of Tony Joe White, J.J. Cale, Townes Van Zandt and then onwards into the Indi Folk-Rock of Ryan Adams, The Jayhawks, Bon Iver, Sufjan Stevens and The Fleet Foxes. But that's what this rather brilliant little reissue contains. Simple but original Country, Folk, Blues and Roots tunes recorded live on guitars and upright piano in a converted Chicken Shack in Accokeek in the State of Maryland on his brother's farm (Doug Wray) with no overdubs and barely enough electricity. If they had no drums – they simply stomped feet hard and rattled those loose nails. If the song was quiet - it's said you can hear bullfrogs croaking and dogs howling outside the miked-up windows. Throw in Wray's strangely expressive Paul Siebel/Mickey Newbury twanging-voice and the results are earthy, real, simple and wonderfully melodic. Like classic J.J. Cale albums from the 70s – each guitar-chug and clever string-bend eats its way into your heart – each tune is simple and direct and warm and full of local stories ("Rise And Fall Of Jimmy Stokes"). I can even hear traces of a hopeful Rodriguez in his vocal style and lyrics - his commentaries on urban life and people trying to find their way in a mixed up world – elegant and truthful ("Fallin' Rain" and "Ice People"). There's a lot to get through so once more unto the backwater shed and that Ampex 3-track...

UK released August 2015 (September 2015 in the USA) – "3-Track Shack" by LINK WRAY on Ace Records CDCH2 1451 (Barcode 029667073820) offers up 3LPs from 1971 and 1973 onto 2CDs with one British 7" single edit as a bonus track. It plays out as follows:

Disc 1 (63:36 minutes):

1. La De Da

2. Take Me Home Jesus

3. Juke Box Mama

4. Rise And Fall Of Jimmy Stokes

5. Fallin' Rain

6. Fire And Brimstone [Side 2]

7. Ice People

8. God Out West

9. Crowbar

10. Black Rover Stomp

11. Tail Dragger

Tracks 1 to 11 are the album "Link Wray" – released June 1971 in the USA on Polydor 24-4064 and September 1971 in the UK on Polydor Super 2425 029

12. Walkin' In Arizona

13. Scorpio Woman

14. The Coco Cola Sign Blinds My Eyes

15. All I Want To Say

16. All Because Of A Woman

Tracks 12 to 16 are Side 1 of the album "Mordicai Jones" by MORDICAI JONES (featuring Link and Doug Wray) – released November 1971 in the USA on Polydor PD 5010 and March 1972 in the UK on Polydor Super 2391 010. The American hard-card artwork was a gatefold sleeve – its front, rear and inner is reproduced in full on Pages 16 to 18 of the booklet. The single matt sleeve issued in the UK has the photo of 'Wray's Shack 3 Tracks' (on the inner American gatefold) as the cover of the British LP.

Disc 2 (72:24 minutes):

1. On The Run

2. Son Of A Simple Man

3. Precious Jewel

4. Days Before Custer

5. Gandy Dancer

Tracks 1 to 5 are Side of "Mordicai Jones" as per tracks 12 to 16 on Disc 1

6. Beans And Fatback

7. I'm So Glad, I'm So Proud

8. Shawnee Tribe

9. Hobo Man

10. Georgia Pines

11. Alabama Electric Circus

12. Water Boy [Side 2]

13. From Tulsa To North Carolina

14. Right Or Wrong (You Lose)

15. In The Pines

16. Take My Hand (Precious Lord)

Tracks 6 to 16 are the album "Beans And Fatback" – released September 1973 in the UK on Virgin Records V 2006 (no US issue)

BONUS TRACK:

17. I'm So Glad, I'm So Proud (UK 45 Edit) – issued as UK 7" single in September 1973 on Virgin Records VS 103. Its non-edited B-side is the album track "Shawnee Tribe".

You can't argue that the chunky 28-page booklet scrimps it on details or photos – recounting his career from Fifties and Sixties 'rumble' style guitar Rock 'n' Roll into these three albums - a 70's change of gear into Americana where the loud guitars of old are replaced with downhome acoustic tunes. The fantastic DAVE BURKE and ALLAN TAYLOR liner notes (co-editors of the "Pipeline" Fanzine on Rock Instrumentals) also do a lot to unravel the mysterious 'Mordicai Jones' project issued only months after the failed "Link Wray" album of June 1971. It turns out that the stunning Terry Reid-type vocals by the fictional Mordicai Jones character are in fact by Gene Johnson and not the keyboardist in Wray’s band Bobby Howard (as had been presumed). But the big news for fans (apart from the availability of this music after decades in the wilderness) is the amazingly clear remasters by long-time Engineer NICK ROBBINS – a name that has graced hundreds of quality British reissues. There is nothing lo-fi about these transfers despite how the original recordings were laid down. The "Beans And Fatback" album from 1973 is notoriously known as no more than 'live outtakes' done at the Shack sessions and were considered by Wray to be inferior. They were then sold without Wray’s knowledge or permission to Virgin – but as luck would have it - the album was met with affection by fans (the rockier side of the recordings) and is revered to this day as a highlight in his career. A world away from his previous style of instrumental Rock 'n' Roll guitar – the two more Folksy albums were not well received at the time. "Link Wray" barely scraped into No. 186 on the American album charts in July 1971 (lasting only 4 weeks) - while the pseudonym "Mordicai Jones" project advertised in early June 1971 but not released until November simply confused people and most ignored it. Let's get to the music...

The openers "La De Da" and "Take Me Home Jesus" set the tone for the "Link Wray" album – The Band recording Americana with two-fingers held up to 24-track mixing consoles. There's Washboard melodrama to the catchy "Juke Box Mama" which Polydor USA put on the flipside of the 45 for the beautiful "Fallin' Rain" (Polydor PD 14096). We get a little Elvin Bishop and J.J. Cale with the very cool chugger "Rise And Fall Of Jimmy Stokes" which chronicles a boy with a shirt on his back trying to make it in the big city. It's amazing to think now that something as obviously lovely and topical as "Fallin' Rain" with lyrics like "...where kids lay bleeding on the ground...there's no place where peace can be found..." didn’t make an impression on the radios of the day – very Mickey Newbury and Eric Andersen. The hugely likeable "Fire And Brimstone" opens Side 2 in style – Jug Band music with a Mungo Jerry commerciality. "Ice People" bemoans the Red Man’s fate on the Reservation and again Link's vocals remind you of Levon Helm at his touching best. The ragged electric lead guitar in "God Out West" is the nearest nod to his loud 'rumbling' style of old (that guitar sound would turn up on the outtakes album "Beans And Fatback" in 1973). The acoustic-slide Blues of "Crowbar" reminds me of James Taylor's "Steamroller" on "Sweet Baby James" where Link tells his girl "...I'm a crowbar baby and I’m sure gonna ply you loose..." (how very gentlemanly of him). The opening flickering mandolin strums of "Black River Swamp" suit an impossibly laconic melody that’s full of Southern Soul (voices and guitars recorded for pure feel). Wray means it as he sings "...I can hear them bullfrogs croaking...calling me back to my childhood...down here in Black River Swamp..." The album ends on the only cover version – a fantastic Bo Diddley guitar chug at "Tail Dragger" (written by Willie Dixon for Howlin' Wolf). I'm a sucker for slide bottleneck guitar and this baby has guitars going on everywhere as Link does his best Chester Burnett vocal growl.

One of the Backing Vocalists credited simply as 'Gene' on the "Link Wray" albums turns out to be GENE JOHNSON – the principal vocalist for the Mordicai Jones album and project (not Bobby Howard as was long thought). The moniker of Mordicai Jones might have been Polydor's way of dealing with the fan backlash/indifference to "Link Wray" (hide him behind some other band). The booklet also reproduces in full the gatefold artwork of the American LP (the shack pictured in the woods nestled in a canopy of trees). The inside photo on the inner gatefold was used by British copies on their front covers and reduced to a single matt sleeve. The inner right side of the gatefold was used as the artwork for the rear of the British LP and the album didn’t show until early 1972 (about March) where it was met with as much non-interest as it had been in 1971 USA.

The Mordicai Jones album opens with "Walkin' In The Arizona Sun" which sounds like George Harrison circa "All Things Must Pass" doing a Countryish cover of Dylan's "If Not For You". But its darker subject matter turns out to be about black men walking in the chain gang – each step another closer to Hell. But its the funky Blues of "Scorpio Woman" that unleashes Gene Johnson's fantastic voice – his straining roars sounding more like Terry Reid fronting Grand Funk Railroad or The Guess Who doing "American Woman" than the Americana of Robbie Robertson of The Band. Polydor USA tried "Scorpio Woman" as a 45 Demo on Polydor PD-14112 but it seems DJs remained unmoved. They also worked the opener "Walkin' In The Arizona Sun" on Polydor PD-14105 - but again no interest. The acoustic slide blues of "The Coco Cola Sign Blinds My Eyes" again lets Johnson's voice rip for 6:21 minutes sounding not unlike a drunk Robert Plant doing a "Physical Graffiti" number unplugged. It's impressive and a wonder Rock guys haven't zeroed in on its great James Dewar/Terry Reid Rock feel. There's traces of Big Star vocals in "All I Want To Say" and yet more Acoustic slide ends Side 1 with "All Because Of A Woman" where his woman done up and run off and left him with one can of warm beer (enough of those bullfrogs I think).

Side 2 opens like Countrified Allman Brothers with "On The Run" – all slide acoustic guitars, Dickey Betts electric guitar licks and harmonica moans. Things become Elton John piano contemplative with "Son Of A Simple Man" where Link sings the praise of his earthy father who loved hard work, his family and his friends. We get a bit Dobro ramshackle on "Precious Jewel" where Gene Johnson thinks about a girl "...way back in the hills..." who has since gone to the angels. After the rocking "Days Before Custer" the album ends on the mandolin and acoustic guitars of "Gandy Dancer" where Link's group of musicians feel like The Ozark Mountain Daredevils in the making.

Mixed by Simon Heyworth at The Manor in the UK after the American tapes were delivered - the "Beans And Fatback" album feels like the boys goofing around in the shed - but heavier than before. Each ramshackle song is usually a mandolin/electric guitar romp with one snare drum and the occasional Jews Harp thrown in – bashing out whatever Country air took their fancy. The 6:23 grunge minutes of "I'm So Glad, I'm So Proud" sounds like the spirit of Rock 'n' Roll has possessed the shed. Suddenly Link Wray 'rocks' – a huge guitar riff is quickly followed by wild soloing - as the band chugs along to the almost indecipherable mumbled lyrics. This is Neil Young circa 1972 unleashed with his guitar and he doesn’t care – just rock that sucker out baby. It's fantastic stuff. Wray moans for the whole duration of "Shawnee Tribe” like an Indian brave contemplating too much history. "Hobo Man" is a simple "silver dollar” Mandolin melody that chronicles a life spent on hot cotton fields just before the train whistle blows and calls a restless soul away. I love the instrumental "Alabama Electric Circus" – again just the band enjoying an electric guitar romp – Wray creating a boogie out of nothing.

Side 2 opens with the stunning 6:15 minutes of "Water Boy" – a song that starts out like a chain-gang thump as they rhythmically smash the hammers down. Then the slide acoustic guitars give way to a Muddy Waters "Mannish Boy" electric guitar which keeps building. Wray is given the room to shine by the counting-time beat - and off he goes – attacking Guitar growling in the echo chamber of the shed. He eventually arrives at that huge 'rumble' as the tune fades out – wowser!  Of the remainder - the acoustic-backed "Right Or Wrong (You Lose)" again features some wild and loud guitar juts when you don’t expect it - while "In The Pines" is almost Foghat in its Bluesy Rock. It ends on the echoed and eerie "Take My Hand (Precious Lord)" where Neil Young's Crazy Horse has gone Guitar Gospel crazy by way of Phil Spector (if you can imagine such a thing).

So why did it all fail – why don’t you know about these albums? I suppose you could say that all three records lacked an overall impact to make them classics of the day – but in hindsight - these Countrified Americana albums by Link Wray make for a fabulous listen - offering up music that gets to you after repeated listens – music you want to champion and rave about.

A stunning release then from Ace Records of the UK and a reminder that there’s so much great music out there to still find and cherish. Properly impressed I am...

This review and hundreds like it are available in my SOUNDS GOOD Music Books Series - see CLASSIC 1970s ROCK on Amazon for a download - click the following link...