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Friday, September 18, 2015

Ray Campi...The Rollin' Rock Singles Collection

Rockabilly wildman, Ray Campi, recorded several classic singles during the music's prime era in the 1950's, and later staged a comeback that earned him a substantial cult audience over the '70s and '80s. Campi was born in New York in 1934 and moved with his family to Austin, TX, at age ten. He started listening to country music, learned the guitar, and formed his first band in high school, which played on local radio stations. Campi made his first recordings in 1951, but it wasn't until 1956, when he cut the single "Caterpillar" b/w "Play It Cool" for the small TNT label, that any of them were released.

Ray Campi formed his first band - Ramblin' Ray and The Ramblers, way back in 1949. He has been playing his brand of American Roots Music on stages all over the world ever since. Though his repertoire includes a substantial dose of Country and Western Swing, it is among Rockabilly enthusiasts that Ray has gained his legendary status. Around 1973, Campi hooked up with Ronny Weiser's revivalist Rollin' Rock label and started making new recordings in the classic, high-energy rockabilly style. A steady stream of albums followed into the '80s, which also brought a couple of sets for Rounder, 1980's Rockin' at the Ritz and 1986's Gone, Gone, Gone!. Campi continued to record into the new millennium, releasing occasional albums on his own label.

Not only did he cut records which are now regarded as Rockabilly classics in the genre's 1950's heyday, he was partly responsible for sparking the 1970's/80's Rockabilly Revival.

Wednesday, August 19, 2015

Dale Hawkins - Rare Tracks 1956-1960

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Monday, August 10, 2015

Elvis Merchandise Auction at Graceland August 13th 2015

Invaluable, the premiere online auction marketplace, and Graceland Auctions, will be teaming up on August 13 to auction off 174 lots of exceptional antique Elvis merchandise making it the largest and most comprehensive auction yet held on the grounds of Graceland. Whether you are looking for a stage-worn jumpsuit or a piece of 1950's merchandising, a historical document or a rare test pressing, a TCB necklace or a movie artifact, this auction has something for you!

This auction, The Auction At Graceland, starts at 7:00 PM CST on the 13th.

Elvis touched the hearts and lives of fans across the globe, and the goal for the Elvis Week 2015 Auction at Graceland is to include artifacts from across the spectrum of collecting, including items owned by Elvis, gifted by Elvis, written by Elvis, used by Elvis and created to promote the king and his career.

Here are a few lots for example:

Lot 85: Elvis Presley Jacket from the Viva Las Vegas Dance Scene with Ann-Margret (see above)

Estimated Price: $30,000 - $50,000
The offered jacket is one of two created by Sy Devore, noted Hollywood wardrobe designer, for Elvis Presley to wear during this now legendary dance scene with Ann-Margret in the 1964 MGM classic Viva Las Vegas.

Lot 118: September 11, 1970 Elvis Presley "In Person" Concert Poster

Estimated Price: $4,000 - $6,000

Used to promote stops on Elvis Presley's September 1970 tour, these venue-specific posters are few and far between, especially in such an exemplary state of preservation. In true Colonel style, the upper portion, graced by Elvis' iconic portrait, was kept purposely generic and was printed on lighter weight paper in greater quantities. These could be used or sold anywhere Elvis was touring.

Lot 112: 1970 Elvis Presley Signed Oversized Concert Souvenir Photo

Estimated Price: $2,000 - $4,000

This rare 1970 promotional photo has been signed by Elvis "To Diane Best Wishes Elvis Presley." Always the conscientious singer, Elvis saw fit to find the lightest area of the photo leaving a very readable result.

Feel free to check out other Elvis memorabilia and collectibles up for auction on Invaluable.

Tuesday, June 23, 2015

Jimmy Bryant...The Fastest Guitar In the Country...original Imperial LP

Jimmy Bryant (March 5, 1925 – September 22, 1980) was a prominent American session guitarist. He was billed as "The Fastest Guitar in the Country".

Ivy J. Bryant, Jr. was born in Moultrie, Georgia, the oldest of 12 children. During the Great Depression he played the fiddle on street corners to help the family buy food, pushed to do so by his father.

After being wounded in World War II, he began working seriously on his guitar playing, influenced heavily by Django Reinhardt. After the war, he returned to Moultrie, then moved to Los Angeles county where he worked in Western films and played music in bars around L.A.'s Skid Row, where he met pioneering pedal steel guitarist Speedy West. West, who joined Cliffie Stone's popular Hometown Jamboree local radio and TV show, suggested Bryant be hired when the show's original guitarist departed. That gave Bryant access to Capitol Records since Stone was a Capitol artist and talent scout.

In 1950 Tex Williams heard Bryant's dizzying jazz/country style and used him on his recording of "Wild Card". In addition, Bryant and West played on the Tennessee Ernie Ford-Kay Starr hit "I'll Never Be Free", leading to both men being signed to Capitol as instrumentalists. Bryant and West became a team, working extensively with each other.

read more on Wikipedia

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Sunday, June 7, 2015

Fats Domino...Rock and Rollin' with Fats Domino...1956

Antoine "Fats" Domino, Jr. (born February 26, 1928) is an American pianist and singer-songwriter. Domino released five gold (million-copy-selling) records before 1955. He also had 35 Top 40 American hits and has a music style based on traditional rhythm and blues ensembles of bass, piano, electric guitar, drums, and saxophone.

Fats Domino at Wikipedia

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Thursday, March 19, 2015

The Yardbirds...Over Under Sideways Down...A Comprehensive Collection 1963-68

British rock/blues band established in 1963 in London. Members were Keith Relf (voc), Paul Samwell-Smith (b), Chris Dreja (g, b) and Jim McCarty (dr) with lead guitarists: Top Topham (1963), Eric Clapton (1963-1965), Jeff Beck (1965-1966) and Jimmy Page (1966-1968).

Inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame in 1992 (Performer).

Over Under Sideways Down is a 28 track compilation released by Australian (now defunct) label Raven Records

1. Baby Whats Wrong

2. I Wish You Would

3. A Certain Girl

4. Good Morning Little Schoolgirls

5. Got Love If You Want It

6. I Ain't Got You

7. I'm Not Talking

8. The Train Kept A Rollin'

9. I Ain't Done Wrong

10. For Your Love

11. Heart Full Of Soul

12. Evil Hearted You

13. Still I'm Sad

14. I'm A Man

15. Shapes Of Things

16. Over Under Sideways Down

17. You're A Better Man Than I

18. Happenings Ten Years Time Ago

19. The Nazz Are Blue

20. Rack My Mind

21. Psycho Daises

22. Stroll On

23. Little Games

24. Puzzles

25. Drinking Muddy Water

26. Tinker Tailor Soldier Sailor

27. Ten Little Indians

28. Think About It

Wednesday, March 4, 2015

Bill Haley...From Western Swing To Rock..Essential Collection

There is no denying Bill Haley's influence on popular music and, in particular, Rock and Roll. Whilst he is best known for "Rock Around the Clock", his beginnings were in Country and Western Swing, and his progression to his more famous rock and roll tracks made him a legend. This collection brings together tracks from his earlier days with The Four Aces and The Saddlemen and onto the classic Comets recordings and even offshoots from The Comets, The Jodimars and The Jaguars.

With over 100 tracks, this compilation will have you swinging, rocking, rolling, jiving and everything else in between.

Rocket 88

Rock the Joint

Rock Around the Clock

Don't Knock the Rock

This 7 minute YouTube clip is from a 1954 short film entitled "Roundup of Rhythm" and shows the Comets live performing "Crazy, Man, Crazy", "Straightjacket" and "Shake, Rattle and Roll".

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Wednesday, February 4, 2015

Chuck Berry Rock & Roll Music - Any Old Way You Choose It - The Complete Studio Recordings Plus...! Deluxe 16-CD boxed set

Deluxe 16-CD boxed set from Bear Family;..with 2 hardcover books (356 total pages) in a cloth bound LP-sized slipcase. 396 tracks, for a total playing time of 21 hours and 11 minutes!

''If you tried to give rock and roll another name, you might call it 'Chuck Berry.''' (John Lennon)

Since their launch in 1975, the Bear Family have wanted to honor Chuck Berry. There have been endless Chuck Berry compilations - more than anyone could possibly tabulate, but they wanted to do the ultimate Chuck Berry compilation, containing:

Every single and LP track, starting with a rare pre-Chess single with Joe Alexander from 1954!
All the celebrated and legendary Chess singles and album cuts from 1955 to 1966 and from 1969 to 1974.
All the Mercury recordings, and the Atco album. Every surviving alternate take as well.
Classic Live Recordings from 1956 to 1972.
Exclusive introduction by Sir Paul McCartney.

But wait,there's more! Expatriate British photographer Bill Greensmith lives in St. Louis and a few years back he found the photo archive of Chuck Berry's uncle, Harry Davis. Included are many previously unseen images of Chuck performing in St. Louis and hanging out with friends and family. In these images, Chuck is unguarded and relaxed. We also see him performing at blues nightspots in and around St. Louis before he was famous. These photos, included with this set in a high quality 104-page hardbound book, will open your eyes to Chuck Berry as you've never seen him.

Plus, there's a second 252-page hardbound book with a definitive essay from Chuck's biographer, Bruce Pegg, additional texts by Mike Snow and Roger Fairhurst, a comprehensive discography by Fred Rothwell, hundreds of published and unpublished photos, including several images made by respected French photographer Jean-Marie Perrier in 1964.

In other words, everything you want by Chuck Berry in one place! The last word on the first name in Rock 'n' Roll.

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Friday, January 9, 2015

The Kinks Anthology 1964-1971 Comprehensive 5CD Collection of Seminal Recordings

The Anthology 1964 - 1971 (5CD Box Set)

The Kinks celebrate their 50th anniversary with this 5-Disc Box Set, The Anthology 1964-1971. The 100+ song collection features remastered Pye label era classics alongside more than two dozen previously unreleased recordings.

September 10th 1964, some 50 years ago, The Kinks had their first number one with the classic You Really Got Me and the rest is rock'n'roll history. To celebrate this momentous occasion, this must-have 5-disc box set spanning the peerless output from that landmark year through 1971 has been released via BMG/InGrooves.

The Anthology 1964-1971 features over 100 songs across 5 CDs, the most comprehensive collection of The Kinks seminal 1960's and early 1970's Pye label recordings ever released. Newly remastered, the box set features rare demos, interviews, alternate mixes, session outtakes, 25 previously unavailable tracks, and extensive liner notes all in a beautiful box set.

This essential release includes many timeless gems including You Really Got Me , Stop Your Sobbing , All Day And All of the Night , Till The End of The Day , A Well Respected Man , Sunny Afternoon , Dead End Street , Waterloo Sunset , David Watts , Autumn Almanac , Days , Picture Book and The Village Green Preservation Society .

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

The Black and White Roots of Rock and Roll..Rare and Unique 2CD set of 50 Rockin' Tracks

The Black and White Roots of Rock'n'Roll is a unique two CD set that juxtaposes both the black and white versions of many embryonic Rock 'n' Roll songs.

The music is generally from the late 40's and early 50's and comes from several different genres that eventually gave birth to what was named "rock and roll." The compilers' liner notes state that they disagree with the "conventional wisdom" that rock and roll consisted of white artists stealing from and imitating black artists. They contend that there was in fact greater fluidity, more of a back and forth transmission between white and black recording artists during the period than critics recognize. Thus, they pair a "white" version of each song with a "black" version to make their point. Some songs are first done by "white" artists and others are first done by "black" artists. The race is in quotes because in some cases, e.g., the first song, which is described as a "white" version, the backing musicians are said to have been white but the singers were black.

It is admirable that the compilers have produced a CD to support their musicological thesis. Most of the "black" versions are far more impressive as early "rock and roll." In large part, this is because the white audience at the time was used to crooners like Bing Crosby, etc., and most of the white singers on these tracks adopt a vocal style that is compatible with their audience's tastes, while the black artists sing in a freer fashion that eventually emerged as the dominant "rock and roll" singing style. Also the black versions use saxes to embellish the music while the white versions tend to favour fiddles. So there's just more power in the black versions. But the songs are great. A number of the lyrics may surprise with their obvious sexual allusions - these must have been way out of bounds of the mainstream radio at the time.

50 tracks and a 12-page booklet with extensive liner notes, photos and other memorabilia.

1. House Of Blue Lights - Ella Mae Morse With Freddie Slack
2. House Of Blue Lights - Merrill Moore
3. Good Rockin' Tonight - Wynonie Harris
4. Have You Heard the News? - Link Davis
5. Guitar Boogie - Arthur Smith and The Crackerjacks
6. Bounce Pee Wee - Pee Wee Crayton
7. Rock The Joint - Jimmy Preston and The Prestonians
8. Rock The Joint - Bill Haley With The Saddleman
9. Birmingham Bounce - Hardrock Gunter and The Pebbles
10. Birmingham Bounce - Amos Wilburn and His Aladdin Chickenshackers
11. Teardrops From My Eyes - Ruth Brown
12. Teardrops From My Eyes - Hawkshaw Hawkins
13. Bloodshot Eyes - Hank Penny
14. Bloodshot Eyes - Wynonie Harris and His All Stars
15. Rocket 88 - Jackie Brenston and His Delta Cats
16. Rocket 88 - Bill Haley and The Saddlemen
17. No Help Wanted - The Carlisles
18. No Help Wanted - The Crows
19. Sixty Minute Man - The Dominoes
20. Sixty Minute Man - Hardrock Gunter and Roberta Lee
21. One Minute Julep - The Clovers
22. One Minute Julep - Louis Prima and His Orchestra
23. Alarm Clock Boogie - Billy Briggs
24. Alarm Clock Boogie - Bill Darnell With Georgie Auld Orchestra
25. The Hucklebuck - Charlie Shavers With Tommy Dorsey
26. Hound Dog - Big Mama Thorton With Kansas City Bill Orchestra
27. Hound Dog - Tommy Duncan and The Miller Brothers
28. Why Dont You Haul Off And Love Me - Wayne Raney
29. Why Dont You Haul Off And Love Me - Bull Moose Jackson and His Buffalo Bearcats
30. For You My Love - Larry Darnell With Paul Gayten Orchestra
31. For You My Love - Melvin Price and His Santa Fe Rangers
32. The Shot Gun Boogie - Tennessee Ernie Ford
33. The Shot Gun Boogie - Eddie Mack With Cootie Williams
34. Grandpa Stole My Baby - Roy Brown and His Mighty Mighty Men
35. Grandpa Stole My Baby - Moon Mullican
36. Rag Mop - Johnnie Lee Wills and His Boys
37. Rag Mop - Lionel Hampton and His Orchestra
38. Rockin' With Red - Piano Red
39. Rockin' With Red - Little Johny Dickens
40. Triflin' Women Blues - Moon Mullican
41. Triflin' Women - Wynonie Harris and His All Stars
42. Gravy Train - Tiny Bradshaw and His Orchestra
43. Gravy Train - York Brothers
44. My Bucket's Got A Hole In It - Hank Williams ans His Driftin' Cowboys
45. My Bucket's Got A Hole In It - Fat Man Robinson Quintet
46. Tend To Your Business - James Waynes
47. Tend To Your Business - Clyde Moody
48. Crazy Man Crazy - Bill Haley With Haley's Comets
49. Crazy Man Crazy - Lucky Enois Quartet
50. Thirteen Women and Only One Man in Town - Dickie Thompson & Orchestra

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Friday, September 26, 2014

The History of the Guitar...26 track compilation covering several genres of music

There is no doubting that the guitar is one of the most popular instruments of all time. It is widely used in practically every genre of music, and many a famous artist is known for their mastering of this stringed instrument.

Here is a brief history:

The guitar is a type of chordophone, traditionally constructed from wood and strung with either nylon or steel strings and distinguished from other chordophones by its construction and tuning. The modern guitar was preceded by the lute, the vihuela, the four-course Renaissance guitar, and the five-course baroque guitar, all of which contributed to the development of the modern six-string instrument.

There are three main types of modern acoustic guitar: the classical guitar (nylon-string guitar), the steel-string acoustic guitar, and the archtop guitar. The tone of an acoustic guitar is produced by the vibration of the strings, which is amplified by the body of the guitar, which acts as a resonating chamber. The classical guitar is often played as a solo instrument using a comprehensive fingerpicking technique.

Electric guitars, introduced in the 1930's, use an amplifier that can electronically manipulate and shape the tone. Early amplified guitars employed a hollow body, but a solid body was eventually found more suitable, as it was less prone to feedback. Electric guitars have had a continuing profound influence on popular culture. Guitars are recognized as a primary instrument in genres such as blues, bluegrass, country, flamenco, folk, jazz, jota, mariachi, metal, punk, reggae, rock, soul, and many forms of pop.

read more on Wikipedia here

This 26 track compilation covers classical, blues, folk, bluegrass and jazz with artists including Django Reinhardt, John Williams, Bill Monroe, Leadbelly, Woody Guthrie, Charlie Christian, Taj Mahal, Lightnin' Hopkins and more.

Thursday, September 4, 2014

Billy Lee Riley...Rock With Me Baby...Original Sun Recordings

Billy Lee Riley (October 5, 1933 – August 2, 2009) was an American rockabilly musician, singer, record producer and songwriter. His most memorable recordings included "Rock With Me Baby" and "Red Hot".

Born in Pocahontas, Arkansas, the son of a sharecropper, Riley learned to play guitar from black farm workers. After 4 years in the Army, Riley first recorded in Memphis, Tennessee in 1955 before being lured to Sun Studios by Sam Phillips. He recorded "Trouble Bound" for Jack Clement and Slim Wallace. Sam Phillips obtained the rights and he released "Trouble Bound" b/w "Rock With Me Baby" on September 1, 1956 (Sun 245). His first hit was "Flyin' Saucers Rock and Roll" b/w "I Want You Baby" released February 23, 1957 (Sun 260) with backing piano by Jerry Lee Lewis, after which he recorded "Red Hot" b/w "Pearly Lee" released September 30, 1957 (Sun 277).

"Red Hot" was showing a lot of promise as a big hit record, but Sam Phillips pulled the promotion and switched it to "Great Balls Of Fire" by Jerry Lee Lewis. Riley felt that his own chances of chart success were compromised by Phillips diverting resources to Lewis' career. He had other Sun recordings and they, likewise, did not have a lot of sales as his promotion had stopped. Like other artists such as Sonny Burgess, Hayden Thompson, Ray Harris and Warren Smith, chart success largely eluded him.

Monday, August 4, 2014

The Core of Rockabilly..60 Original Recordings from Sun Studios

The third in the MUSIC ROOTS series is this 60 track compilation of original recordings from the Sun Studios in Memphis,Tennessee featuring the who's who of Rockabilly artists from the 50's. The legends of Rockabilly music are all here including Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Warren Smith, Jack Earls, Sleep La Beef, Sonny Burgess, Charlie Rich and many more.

This is where the roots of rock and roll music were generated and these artists made their debut on the Sun label. Many of these tracks have been covered by other artists since and have become standards in their repertoires.

Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Harry Nilsson...Nilsson Schmilsson 1971..popular album from late singer-songwriter

In 1971, singer/songwriter Harry Nilsson released the album entitled "Nilsson Schmilsson", and what many consider to be his best work. The smash hit "Without You" (written by Pete Ham and Tom Evans of Badfinger) was the album's first hit and it went straight to number one on the pop and adult contemperary charts. But the album also spawned several other hits as well with the reggaeish tune "Coconut" and the frantic rocker "Jump Into The Fire". The musicians on "Nilsson Schmilsson" are first rate with artists such as Jim Gordon (drummer for Derek & The Dominos), Klaus Voorman (played bass guitar on John Lennon's "Imagine" album), Chris Spedding (an accomplished guitarist) and Gary Wright (keyboardist for Spooky Tooth) all adding their two bits on this excellent album. The songs are full of pop tunes such as "Gotta Get Up", "Driving Along", "Coconut" and the seven minute rock classic "Jump Into The Fire". You've got ballads here such as the above mentioned "Without You" and "I'll Never Leave You".

Amazon review:
The late Harry Nilsson's creative and commercial peak, this LP showcases the singer-songwriter's lighthearted worldview to best advantage. It remains one of the best, most consistent, and least dated albums from an early-'70s era not known for underplayed, unpretentious subtlety. In keeping with the domesticated figure on the cover--complete with housecoat, cigarette, and waiting refrigerator--the mood is laid back and homey, and there's a palpable feeling of comfort in both the production and the material. Nilsson's multi-octave voice was never so full of life....

Ranked in the Top 100 albums of all time, "Nilsson Schmilsson" certainly has earned it's rightful place and is an album all lovers of seventies music should have in their collection.

track list:
Gotta Get Up
Driving Along
Early In The Morning
The Moonbeam Song
Down
Without You
Coconut
Let The Good Times Roll
Jump Into The Fire
I'll Never Leave You

Monday, May 26, 2014

John Mayall and The Bluesbreakers....A Hard Road....album from 1967

This album was the crucial follow up to the landmark Bluesbreaker record with Eric "slowhand" Clapton. On "A Hard Road" we see Peter Green carving his own niche as one of the most influential British blues guitarists. His tone makes the devil melt and on songs like "Someday After A While (you'll be sorry)", you hear some of the most gut wrenching sorrowful solos you could hope to hear. You will also hear Green's achingly poignant blues voice for the first time on recording. A true lost legend, this is Green coming into his own before forming Fleetwood Mac and outselling The Beatles in 1969. John Mayall himself keeps shaking thing up with added instruments that would lead up to his eventual big band leaning ala B.B. King. A must have for Peter Green fans as well as Bluesbreaker fans.

This version also contains 14 bonus tracks.