Smith & Co

Itis generally accepted that Rock 'n' Roll only really came into being with the arrival on the scene of Elvis Presley in about 1954. However, many of the tracks in this collection give the lie to that assumption and prove that not only had the music been around for several years, but some of the greatest recordings in the genre were made some time before 'The King' began to weave his history-changing magic. We travel all the way back to 1950 for our first tracks.  Formed that very year in New York by pianist Billy Ward and talent spotter Rose Marks, The Dominoes won a talent competition at the famous Apollo Theatre, then appeared on television in the Arthur Godfrey show, before signing to Sid Nathan's 'King/Federal' label. 'Sixty Minute Man' which made a major impact on the charts in 1951, concentrates on what was to become one of the staple subjects of Rock 'n' Roll songs - Sex, as the lyric boasts of the singer's prowess and prodigious staying power. A great early rocker! From there on we see the emergence of all the great early rockers that set the course For the next 3 decades including Bill Haley, Fats Domino, Little Richard, Ray Charles and, of course the unforgettable Elvis Presley. The CD includes extensive sleeve notes.

1. Sixty Minute Man - Billy Ward and the Dominoes
2. Every Night About This Time - Fats Domino
3. Rocket 88 - Jackie Brenston and his Delta Cats ft. Ike Turner
4. Get Rich Quick - Little Richard
5. The Glory Of Love - The Five Keys
6. KC Loving - Little Willie Littlefield
7. Just Walkin' In The Rain - The Prisonaires
8. Gee - The Crows
9. Money Honey - Clyde McPhatter and the Drifters
10.Honey Hush - Big Joe Turner and his Band
11.Crying in The Chapel - The Orioles
12.Mystery Train - Little Junior Parker and The Blue Flames
13.Rockin' Is Our Bizness - The Treniers
14.Bambalam - The Du Droppers
15.Good Rockin' Tonight - Elvis Presley
16.(We’re Gonna) Rock Around The Clock - Bill Haley and his Comets
17.Shake, Rattle And Roll - Big Joe Turner and his Blues Kings
18.That’s All Right - Elvis Presley
19.Only You - The Platters
20.Sh’Boom (Life Could Be A Dream) - The Chords
21.Work With Me Annie - The Midnighters
22.Space Guitar - Johnny ‘Guitar’ Watson (Young John Watson)
23.The Clock - Johnny Ace
24.Hearts Of Stone - The Charms
25.Going To The River - Fats Domino
26.Mess Around - Ray Charles
27.Blue Moon Of Kentucky - Elvis Presley
28.I Don’t Care If The Sun Don’t Shine - Elvis Presley
Total playing time: 72.25