Don't Overlook This for Carl's Greatest!
08/30/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"If you're looking for one basic Carl collection, this may be your best bet. The sound is surprisingly OUTSTANDING ("warm, clear, punchy, vivid" are some words that come to my mind), better than the slightly "digital harsh"-sounding single disc that Rhino (which is usually one of the best for sonic quality) put out in the late '80s, and for the price of one disc you get 2 discs with 36 tracks total. And the booklet (with notes on every track here) is outstanding for a "budget" collection. Only the hardest of the hard-core fans will need more of Sun-era Carl, namely the expensive Bear Family box. This is the best collection (and value) for everyone else."
A true "best of" collection: probably all the Carl Perkins y
Bernardo Quiroga Gomez | 06/30/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Despite the fact that Carl Perkins kept recording until shortly before his death during the mid 90's, his golden legacy will always be comprised mainly by the material he recorded for Sun Records during the 50's. It was this set of performances, not his later music, that influenced The Beatles and many others throughout the years. Hence, it would be perfectly fair and fitting to call this collection "Carl Perkins' All-Time Greatest Hits".
"The Essential Sun Collection" renders his other two best-known compilations obsolete: all tracks from Rhino's "Carl Perkins - Original Sun Greatest Hits" and Varese's "The Complete Sun Singles" are included here. As a matter of fact, the first disc of this beautiful 2CD collection has the exact same material as the Varese set, complementing the story with Perkins' other period highlights on disc two. Also note this double album features every track from Carl's milestone debut LP "Dance Album."
Sound quality is excellent throughout, and considering that the other two 1CD compilations, as well as Carl's debut LP, all sell for roughly the same price as this title each (around $13-$14), this compilation offers the best value overall.
Please note that this product includes original Sun versions only. Most of the Carl Perkins products I have seen in stores include markedly inferior re-recordings Carl made of his old Sun sides and other Rock & Roll era hits. Do yourself a favor, and get the real McCoy. If you like early rock & roll and rockabilly, you will not regret it."
Track Listings (18) - Disc #1