This could well be considered the fifth volume in Sequel's
Roulette Rock 'n' Roll series as it gathers 27 great tracks from the multi-label holdings of that label, covering a time period from 1958 to 1966. The big rarity tickets here are "Ramrod" by one "Frantic"
Johnny Rogers (it's actually
Duane Eddy's original 1957 Ford recording of the tune, with a story attached to it that's as confusing as the track is revelatory) and an early-'60s
Bill Haley & the Comets single, "Riviera" and "War Paint," the latter track featuring some wild, echoey guitar work. Equally worthy are the four tracks from Detroit's
Royaltones ("Poor Boy," "Wail!," "Little Bo," and "See Saw"), five from
the Rock-A-Teens (the crudely executed "Woo-Hoo" and even cruder "Twangy," "Oh, My Nerves," "Pagan," and "Off-Beat"), a pair of 1966 Colpix
Duane Eddy ("El Rancho Grande" and "Poppa's Movin' On," both produced by
Lee Hazlewood), the totally unknown
Bikinis ("Bikini" and "Boogie Rock and Roll") and both sides of
Wild Bill & the Blue Denims' Gone single, "Mona My Love" and "The Chase." Also of interest are entries by
Duane Eddy soundalikes
Tony Castle & the Raiders,
Eddie Platt, the Gone All-Stars, and the Chapparals, who check in with the title track. A great guitar instrumental collection that spotlights what a great, underrated rockin' little label Roulette really was. ~ Cub Koda, All Music Guide
