Search - Various Artists :: Rebel Rousers: Greatest Rock Instrumental Hit

Let's dance - a '50s party tape if ever there was one!

08/14/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"An interesting collection of 11 instrumentals from 1957-1963 - some big hits, some not, but all fun to hear. Guitar classics "Rebel-Rouser," "Memphis," and "Sleep Walk" remain popular, as does the drumming of "Teen Beat." Hard-core '50s fans will remember "Raunchy" - the 1957 hit which led the way for other such instrumentals - as well as the aptly named "The Happy Organ" and "Guitar Boogie Shuffle." "Limbo Rock" (1962) was a hit for The Champs; perhaps only the Chubby Checker version is remembered today (but the instrumental version is better). What's missing from this collection is "Tequila" (1958), The Champs' first hit. As for the remaining three numbers, Rendezvous Records had minor hits with "Nut Rocker," "Bumble Boogie," and "In the Mood" (not quite like Glenn Miller's band played it), and the band on these was the company's talented house band. Get out your guitar, tenor sax, or drums, and play along. Overall, the sound quality is pretty good."