Smith & Co

As the rosy and comfortable world of American Music Stars like Doris Day, Wayne King, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Bing Crosby began to retreat under the onslaught of the 'Big Beat' of Rock 'n' Roll' in the Mid-1950's, the ultra-Conservative Music Business of the time reared back in horror at what was being offered up as the New Music! The sheer raw energy of Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis, Gene Vincent, Little Richard and so many others was in violent contrast to what had gone before and the bespoke suited executives of the Music Industry began to feel like potentially endangered species!!  Perhaps not surprisingly, the same thing happened to Britain. When Rock 'n' Roll hit the stores of Britain with Bill Haley, Elvis, Gene, Fats & Little Richard, the back lash from the British Music Press was by way of incredible condescension towards the music, which was clearly regarded as primitive and of little musical value and indeed would fizzle out in a couple of years. Fizzle out it didn't and many a Jazz Journalist had to quietly back away from their openly hostile attitude. The strange thing about the attitude of those Journalists is that Rock 'n' Roll had existed in Britain before 1956 and the coming of Presley, albeit in a slightly more relaxed form. This second fascinating collection sets out again to show something of what was going on in Britain between 1954 and 1957.

Another fascinating collection to be sure! By 1957 British Rock 'n' Roll was a little more mature, although still much maligned. It was the vocal side of things that was showing an understanding of the genre better. Singers like Marty Wilde and Terry Dene were obviously listening to American records and learning the vocal inflections, something that would make such a difference in the future. With Cliff Richard, Johnny Kidd, Vince Taylor and Dickie Pride waiting in the wings, British Rock 'n' Roll was on the move.

1-Marty Wilde & The Wild Cats-Love Bug Crawl
2.-Ricky James-Knee Deep In The Blues
3.-Terry Dene-C'min And Be Loved
4.-Jima Dale -Be My Girl
5.-Tommy Steele & The Steelmen-Hey You
6.-Frankie Vaughan-Rock A Chicka
7.-Ray Sendit & His Rockey Teamn-Spike's Rock
8.-Rikki Henderson-Let's Have A Party
9.-Terry Wayne-Slim Jim Tie
10.-Ken Mackintosh-Raunchy
11.-Wee Willie Harris-Rockin' At The 2 II's
12.-Tommy Steele & The Steelmen-Teenage Party
13. -Alma Cogan-Fabulous
14.-Marty Wilde & The Wild Cats-Honeycomb
15.-Ricky James-Bluer Than Blue
16.-Shorty Mitchell-Teddy Bear
17.-Bert Weedon-Quiet Quiet Shhh
18.-Terry Dene-A White Sports Coat
19.-Joey Castell-I'm Left, You're Right, She's Gone
20.-Colin Hicks & His Cabin Boys-Wild Eyes And Tender Lips
21.-The Tunettes-Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On
22.-The Saints Jazz Band-Boogie Woogie Stomp
23.-Frankie Vaughan-The Green Door
24.-Alma Cogan-I'm In Love Again
25.-Jim Dale-Crazy Dream
26.-Bert Weedon-Flannel Foot
27.-Tommy Steele & The Steelmen-A Handful Of Songs
28.-Larry Page-Cool Shake
29.-Russ Conway-Late Extra
30.-Johnny Southern & The Western Rhythm Kings-She's Long, She's Tall
31.-Terry Wayne-Boppin' The Blues
32.-Ken Makintosh-Applejack
33.-Tommy Steele-Butterfly
Listen to Track 1 - 5

1-Tony Cromble & His Rockets-Sticks And Stones
2.-Ray Ellington-That Rock 'n' Rollin' Man
3.-Art Baxter& His Rock 'n' Roll Sinners-Nursery Rock
4.-Shorty Mitchell With The Ken Jones Rock 'n' Rollers-Don't Knock The Rock
5.-Winifred Atwell-Rampart Street Rock
6.-Marty Wilde & The Wild Cats-Wild Cat
7.-John Barry Seven-Rockabilly Boogie
8.-Billy Sproud-Rock Mr. Piper
9.-Victor Silvester & His Rock 'n' Roll Rhythm-Off Beat Rock
10.-Deep River Boys-St. Louis Blues
11.-The Southlanders-Earth Angel
12.-The Tunettes-Little Darling
13.-Don Lang & His Frantic Five-Red Planet Rock
14.-Ray Sendit & His Rockey Team-Rocket 0869
15.-Tony Cromble & His Rockets-Rock 'n' Roll Coaster
16.-Art Baxter & His Rock 'n' Roll Sinners-Rock You Sinners
17.-Shorty Mitchell With The Ken Jones Rock 'n' Rollers-Rock Rock Rock
18.-Patty Forbes With The Oscar Robin Band-Dance With Me Henry
19.-Eric Winstone & His Band-Fanfare Boogie
20.-Tommy Sampson & His Strongmen-Rock 'n' Roll Those Big Brown Eyes
21. -Ted Heath And His Orchestra Featuring Jack Parnell-Birmingham Bounce
22.-Joan Small-You Can't Say I Love You To A Rock 'n' Roll Tune
23.-Don Lang & His Frantic Five-6.5 Special
24.-Suzi Miller With The Johnston Brothers-Happy Days And Lonely Nights
25.-Ken Makintosh-Slow Walk
26.-The Kirchin Band-Mother Goose Jumps
27.-Tommy Sampson & His Strongmen-Rockin'
28.-Laurie London-She Sells Sea Shells
29.-Joan Savage-Lula Rock-A-Hula
30.-Eric Winstone & His Band-Rhythm 'n' Blues
31.-Terry Wayne-Matchbox
32.-John Barry Seven-Zip Zip
33.-Lee Young with Woolf Phillips & his Skyrockets -Rock Rock Rock
Listen to Track 1 - 5