If you think modern popular and rock music is insipid, lifeless, sterile and unimaginative, you’re right! These four recent reissues of the early days of rock, from both the black and white side of the tracks, display an energy, pulse and even humor that makes todays music as pale as a Millennial’s pasty skin.
Known for his various “hits” with wife Tina, Ike Turner is usually credited for recording arguably the first “rock and roll” song, featured here when he was with Jackie Brenston’s Delta Cats on “Rocket ‘88’”. All of his contributions as a pianist, guitarist and vocalist during his sideman days are her, such as throllicing “Just One More Time” with Billy Gayles”. His 
own “The Groove” and “The Rooster” sizzle, but nothing compares to his work with Tina as on “A Fool In Love”. The heat is on!
The white rockabilly side of the 19503 and 60s has country gents adding some grit to their pulse, and suburban kids get a bit of rhythm and blues on this 30 song collection. The early days of pop stars are revealed here, as Freddy Cannon boom booms on “Patty Baby”, Cliff Richard works a sweat on “Choppin ‘n’ Changin” and Del Shannon runs away with “You Never Talked About Me”. Carl Perkins plays a slick guitar on “Land Me Your Comb” while Red Williams strolls t hrough “Walkin’”. A hip hay ride.
The perfect mix of earthy R&B and doo wop are compiled on these two volumes of black artists that influenced the more bowdlerized white rock bands. Volume Five includes a riveting etta James on “That’s All” and Roy Milton boogies on “You Got Me Reeling and Rocking”. Smooth as silk Ivory Joe Hunter croons on “Old Gal and New Gal Blues” and Otis Williams taps into his inner Little Richard on “Walkin’ After Midnight”. The joint was jumpin’
If for no other reason, Volume six is essential in that it includes Moose Jackson’s classic double entendre’d swingier “Big Ten Inch Record” that is guaranteed to put some life in your party. Molasses toned Arthur Prysock goes deep on “Good Rockin’ Tonight” and Jackie Wilson hits the stratosphere for “Am I The Man”. Wonderful street corner symphonies are provided by The Larks on “How Long Must I Wait For You” and The Rays with “Daddy Soul” and Solomon Burke gives a proto-soul read of “They Always Say”. Finger poppin’ time!