Original artists, not original hit recordings, but still interesting

Like hundreds of other MP3 compilations on the market these days, this one is filled with recordings of unknown origin. But unlike compilations that try to fake the hits, this one’s got some interesting live performances and alternate arrangements. These recordings may or may not date to the original sessions, but fans will get a kick out of hearing Bill Haley sing “Rip it Up” live and Gene Vincent strut his way through a slower, bluesier version of “Be-Bop-A-Lula.” A number of the tracks don’t even graze rockabilly, including Gene Autry’s trail-rhythm “Back in the Saddle Again,” guitarist Billy Mure’s instrumental take on Hank Williams’ “Kaw-Liga,” sax-man Ace Cannon’s cover of “Little Bitty Pretty One” and the horn-fed R&B of Jackie Kelso and Willie Egan, but there are some nice finds for rockabilly fans, including Joe Seneca’s “Rick-A-Chick.” Many of these tracks fail to live up to the collection’s title (not to mention that cover boy Chuck Berry doesn’t appear at all, and Little Richard’s “Long Tall Sally” is presented in awful, pinched audio), but there are a few treats to be picked out. [©2010 hyperbolium dot com]