Search - Various Artists :: Chart Toppers: Rock Hits of 50's

Great tunes--but as a single CD compilation, it's just not c

Matthew G. Sherwin | last seen screaming at Amazon customer service | 03/09/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Chart Toppers: Rock Hits of the 50s is a single CD collection of tunes that made the airwaves sizzle back in the `50s. Of course, there's no way a single CD could ever encompass all the rock and roll chart toppers of the entire 1950s, so I am a bit disappointed with that. This should have been a two CD set.

Roy Orbison & The Teen Kings open the track set with their hit entitled "Ooby Dooby." The guitar work is really great; this tune rocks well and they never miss a beat! Trust Roy and his band mates to do this up right! Roy never sounded better, either. Bobby Darin follows with his "Splish Splash;" Bobby sings this with enthusiasm and zest; I love his treatment of this rockin' hit and this should make you want to jump up and dance practically anywhere you are!

There's also Ritchie Valens doing his "Come On, Let's Go." "Come On Let's Go" has more great guitar and Ritchie handles the tempo changes so well. He sounds great, too! The percussion adds to the number a lot and I like the jamming in the musical interlude however brief it may have been. Bobby Day's "Rockin' Robin" features Bobby singing this out strong; and the guys on backup harmonize well to this awesome rock and roll tune! I really like "Rockin' Robin" a lot.

Ray Anthony does The Peter Gunn Theme to perfection; this has a distinct late 1950s and even early 1960s feel to it with great percussion and brass work. Danny & The Juniors score a huge goal with their "Rock & Roll Is Here To Stay;" "Rock & Roll Is Here To Stay" features another incredible beat that just begs you to dance to it and Danny & The Juniors perform this flawlessly. I love it!

Bill Haley & His Comets also have a huge highlight as they perform "See You Later, Alligator." This tune rocks even today and the saying "See you later, alligator" became part of American speech for quite a while after this song hit the airwaves. Bill sings this so well; he had a really great voice and the backup male vocals make this number shine like pure gold!

The Coasters also enjoyed a huge hit with "Poison Ivy;" this tune was always one of my very favorite `50s songs and it still sounds so good even today. The Coasters sing this song well about a woman who isn't exactly the type you want to date anytime soon! Duane Eddy also does "Rebel-'Rouser" very well; and the CD closes with The Crew Cuts doing their hit entitled "Sh-Boom" "Sh-Boom" sounds smooth and classy; they sing this version of this ballad without a superfluous note!

Overall, what we get here is excellent quality music. I have no gripe with that. Unfortunately, however, the twenty marvelous tracks can't possibly tell the whole story of the rock hits of the `50s. This should have been a two CD set at least; and I will take off a star for this disappointment. This single CD will probably appeal most to the casual fan who wants just a few of the great sounds of the `50s. More serious fans will want to seek out box sets of CDs that have more music by even more artists.
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