Search - Various Artists :: Only Rock'N Roll: 1960-1964 (Series)

Strong CD of rock and roll hits that make you wanna DANCE !!

Matthew G. Sherwin | last seen screaming at Amazon customer service | 06/30/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Only Rock'N Roll: 1960-1964 is a very strong CD with twenty major hits from the early `60s. This stuff is good, classic rock and roll; and you're bound to love this if you enjoy this genre of music. I thought the quality of the sound was rather good; and I feel badly that the other reviewer maybe had a defective CD. The artwork is very good, too.



Little Eva starts the track set with her major hit, "The Loco-Motion." "The Loco-Motion" rocks well without being too hard; yet the beat is still very catchy and you're sure to agree that this is a major highlight for this album--it's not just the opening number! Similarly, Dion does "The Wanderer" with panache; he sings this song with lots of positive energy and he does a great job on this tune about a womanizing guy who likes to remain uncommitted to any one woman. Bobby Lewis also makes good with his terrific hit entitled "Tossin' And Turnin'." "Tossin' And Turnin'" has some fairly complicated tempo and key changes; but Bobby makes this all look so easy anyway! Of course, we know it really wasn't so easy--Bobby's incredible vocal talents truly carried him through like the pro he always was and still remains!



Gene Chandler has a favorite hit of mine with his "Duke Of Earl;" this love song is really well done and it has a stately flavor to it that I rarely hear or enjoy. Gene's excellent diction bolsters his performance even further--great! "Big Girls Don't Cry" shines like silver and gold together when Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons sing this one up right! The falsetto voice of Frankie Valli really sounds good on this number and they harmonize to perfection as well. "Louie Louie" by The Kingsmen is another equally bright number; and "Louie Louie" is another major highlight of this CD. The Kingsmen sing and play "Louie Louie" with all their might; and the drums and guitar work add a lot to the rockin' flavor of this tune.



"Remember (Walkin' In The Sand)" by The Shangri-Las really stands out as they deliver this with all their hearts and souls; it really was a huge hit for them and they never miss a beat, either. "Quarter To Three" by Gary "U.S." Bonds was always a personal favorite of mine; this tune really rocks great and the beat is absolutely infectious--what a fun tune to enjoy! Gary "U.S." Bonds could really turn out a tune in his time. In addition, there's "Save The Last Dance For Me" by The Drifters; this most romantic song is a charmer and I always enjoy hearing this song. The Drifters do a great job even with the tempo changes and that impresses me a lot.



Jan and Dean do "Surf City" with high energy; this may initially sound like something The Beach Boys may have turned out but it holds its own very well and Jan and Dean come out smelling like roses. "Will You Love Me Tomorrow" by The Shirelles is another fine, timeless love song with another sweet melody; and the strings are used to great advantage. Joe Jones does his "You Talk Too Much" with lots of punch; and the CD ends very strong with "Surfin' U.S.A." by The Beach Boys.



You know, this is a very strong installment in this CD series. Indeed, I could have written a lot more than I did just here--it's all so wonderful. I highly recommend this CD for fans of classic rock and roll.

"

Warning!

gordon@ruraltel.net | 01/05/2000

(2 out of 5 stars)

"Granted, this is a great collection of songs from a great era. However, be warned that on many of the cuts the remastering is very substandard. If sound is not important to you, then OK, it is a well-chosen collection. Just don't expect any sonic detail. You're old 45s sounded better, believe me."

This album is a fantastic collection

gordon@ruraltel.net | 05/21/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you don't own most of these songs, you should. This album has some great songs, all original. You can listen to the Delbert Mclinton harmonica on "Hey Baby", it makes you want to jump in the car and go cruisin'."