Smith & Co

Our JUST ABOUT AS GOOD AS IT GETS! series is now an established guarantee of great value, authoritative compilations, expert re-mastering, consistently recognisable presentation, positive reviews and persistent sales in the Formula One reissue market.  So no further introduction required?  Well perhaps a few more words about this particular 2CD set…

The brash 1950s music of young white rural America, principally from the southern states of the USA, Rockabilly defied the dictates of Tin Pan Alley, it was the punk music of its day.  With notable exceptions it was a regional phenomenon with a supposedly short shelf-life. In the wake of Elvis a few other performers became stars; many were never even One Hit Wonders in the first place.  But they all left a legacy, re-ignited by a Rockabilly revival in the UK and Continental Europe in the 1970s that reverberates in clubs and at rave weekenders to the present day.

With Volume 5 of this best-selling series we continue to showcase the ‘50s originators with a vibrant 70 tracks of well known names side-by-side with legends of the Rockabilly underground and several ‘who were these guys?‘ one-off sizzlers.  Put your cat clothes on, it’s another invitation to party.

Yet another fantastic collection of un-missable Rockabilly classics to add the previous three volumes. This series has now reached has established itself as the leading Rockabilly label and volume 4 does not disappoint. Bulging with no less than 70 tracks, all caringly mastered to give superb sound quality, this double compilation features all the famous names of the era including the King “Elvis’ along with Ricky Nelson, Gene Vincent, Eddie Cochrane, Buddy Holly, Carl Perkins and Rose Maddox as well as some deliciously obscure names such as Dwight Pullen, Peanuts Wilson or Lafayette Yardborough. Of course there is a good smattering of names that later were to become legends in the Country Music Charts. These include the likes of George Jones, Don Gibson and Johnny Cash, all of whom flirted with Rockabilly before deciding on their successful country careers.

Once again, a wonderful addition to the series that will not disappoint!

Volume 3 in the highly acclaimed "Just about as good as it gets!" series. Includes all the unmissable Rockabilly recordings up to the end of 1958. Yet another 'All Killer, No Filler' rockabilly collection. To quote Little Richard 'all around the world Rock 'n' Roll is here to stay'. How true, although there was no way that Richard could have honestly predicted that 50 years ago! Every year, more bands, musicians and singers are appearing from all parts of the globe to play rock 'n' roll, rockabilly, hillbilly or R&B on stage or on record. These fresh new players, probably more than anything else, will help to preserve this vital musical legacy. Volume 3 in the "Just about as Good as it Gets!" series ensures that both artist and afficianado will be able to find those classic recordings from the 50's , beautifully re-mastered and packaged on this and the previous 2 volumes.

It is with great pleasure that we are able to bring a new 2CD volume of Rockabilly onto the market. Hot on the heels of the of the first "Great Rockabilly – Just about as good as it gets!", volume 2 delivers yet again another 68 fabulous and, for many of us, unforgettable tracks from the early days of the rock 'n' roll period. All the greats such as Billy Lee Riley, Johnny Burnette, Ricky Nelson, Eddie Cochrane, Gene Vincent and Elvis are featured on this compilation, but there are also many gems of a much rarer quality scattered throughout the album.
Thankfully, the fascination and interest in Rockabilly Music shows no sign of diminishing and has presented a solid face against the dwindling sales of mainstream 'pop' music. Perhaps two words – GREAT MUSIC – might explain why!

It is now over 50 years since Elvis Presley made his first hot rhythmic recordings that would come to be regarded as so important historically as the first real Rockabilly records. Rhythm was the word along with lashings of upright slap bass, searing guitar breaks and some of the most exaggerated vocals ever heard in the pantheon of recorded sound. Elvis had it all and by 1956 had signed with the mighty RCA Victor company, who duly propelled him to ultimate stardom. In the beginning, however, Elvis had been a Mississippi country boy who had attracted the attention of Sam Phillips of Sun Records in Memphis. Elvis recorded his classic Sun sides during 1954-55 and toured all over the Southern States, whipping up crowds into a frenzy and inspiring dozens of like-minded country boys to follow in his wake.

This mid price double presents 64 of the very best Rockabilly recordings of the era, including many that have come to be regarded as absolute classics of the genre. It's a Rhythm Riot from start to finish.