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Neat Little Bargain

08/02/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"There are only 12 selections and minimal liner notes [on the back cover], but nevertheless this 1989 compilation from Capitol offers all original renditions and a couple of hard-to-find selections. In addition to Robert Mitchum's The Ballad Of Thunder Road [from the film Thunder Road] which charted twice - once at # 62 Billboard Top 100 in 1958, and then at # 65 Hot 100 in 1962 - you also get The Gants' version of Road Runner, a # 46 in 1965, Ramblin' Jimmie Dolan's 1951 Country hit [# 7] Hot Rod Race, and Stick Shift, a # 25 Hot 100 in 1961 by The Duals.

The rest are easily found on any number of compilations, but there is one hidden gem: Chicken by Bert Convy. The late TV actor and game-show host [he died in 1991 at age 57] had been a member of The Cheers, along with Gil Garfield and Sue Allen, and their only charted hit - Black Denim Trousers And Motorcycle Boots is now considered a classic of the early R&R era. Shortly after that 1955 recording - which went to # 6 Top 100 - he tried Chicken on his own. While it didn't chart, it's not a bad little "road" tune."