Yep Roc Releases
Sam Phillips: The Man Who Invented Rock N Roll
Collection Curated By Peter Guralnick
How good is this!
Fifty five songs. Over 140 minutes of play time. Featuring Elvis Presley, Howlin’ Wolf, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, B.B. King, John Prine, Charlie Rich, Roy Orbison,, Sleepy John Estes, Jerry Lee Lewis, Junior Parker and more. Plus, forty eight pages of liner notes from acclaimed author Peter Guralnick.
“Sun Records and Sam Phillips himself created the most crucial, uplifting and powerful records ever made.” – Bob Dylan
Florence, Alabama-born Sam Phillips moved to Memphis Tennessee and set up the Memphis Recording Service, later to be known as Sun Studio. Here he recorded some of the finest, ground-breaking music, from then-unknowns. His eye for talent and an ability to derive new sounds were so successful that many of the performances have become legendary, rock ‘n’ roll classics. In fact, it could be strongly argued that rock ‘n’ roll itself was born in Memphis under Phillips’ watchful eye.
This audio collection is a companion to Guralnick’s new biography of the same name. Best known for his groundbreaking and captivating double volume on Elvis Presley – Last Train To Memphis and Careless Love, Guralnick is an award-winning author and the new Sam Phillips biography is much anticipated. Guralnick’s new book, released in November 2015, is his first in ten years.
The 2CD/3LP set features songs hand-selected by Guralnick. Mostly spanning the years 1950 – 1961, the set shines a light on Phillips’ unique approach to recording and his key part in the evolution of not just the genesis of rock ‘n’ roll but country, blues and r&b.
It is not a greatest hits package, it is a gathering of Guralnick’s own favourites and that is what makes the package so refreshing, as many of us have heard the biggest songs emanating from Sun Studio many times before.
“Sam believed most of all in perfect imperfection,” Guralnick writes, adding “every track on this collection celebrates, whether intentionally or not, the diversity and beauty and rawness, the grandness and intimacy and comic and tragic drama of the human experience.”
This is a landmark set of some of rock ‘n’ roll’s finest performers and their recordings, all made from humble beginnings in that little studio in Memphis.
It is an undoubted ornament for the serious music lover’s record collection.
Last year I visited Bristol (Virginia/Tennessee). Given the importance of the 1927 recordings there of Jimmie Rogers, The Carter Family and others, it has now been officially acknowledged by the US legislature as The Birthplace Of Country Music.
Maybe Memphis Tennessee should be formally acknowledged as The Birthplace Of Rock ‘n’ Roll?
Sam Phillips: The Man Who Invented Rock N Roll
CD Track List
DISC 1
01. Jerry Lee Lewis Hello Hello Baby
02. Howlin’ Wolf Moanin’ at Midnight
03. The Prisonaires Just Walkin’ in the Rain
04. Howlin’ Wolf How Many More Years
05. Jackie Brenston and His Delta Cats (Ike Turner) Rocket 88
06. Joe Hill Louis Gotta Let You Go
07. The Jones Brothers Every Night
08. Howard Seratt Troublesome Waters
09. Jimmy and Walter Easy
10. Jimmy and Walter Before Long
11. Willie Nix Lonesome Bedroom
12. Johnny Cash Big River
13. Carl Perkins Boppin’ the Blues
14. Doctor Ross The Boogie Disease
15. Elvis Presley Baby Let’s Play House
16. Roy Orbison Ooby Dooby
17. Little Junior’s Blue Flames Love My Baby
18. Carl Perkins Matchbox
19. Jerry Lee Lewis Whole Lotta Shakin’ Going On
20. Billy Riley Flyin’ Saucers Rock & Roll
21. B.B. King She’s Dynamite
22. Howlin’ Wolf Mr. Highway Man (Cadillac Daddy)
23. Rufus Thomas Tiger Man
24. Sonny Burgess Red-Headed Woman
25. Jerry Lee Lewis End of the Road
26. Charlie Rich Who Will the Next Fool Be?
27. Elvis Presley Mystery Train
28. John Prine How Lucky
DISC 2
01. Little Junior’s Blue Flames Feelin’ Good
02. Jerry Lee Lewis You’re the Only Star in My Blue Heaven
03. Carl Perkins Turn Around
04. Jimmy DeBerry Time Has Made a Change
05. Warren Smith Miss Froggie
06. Willie Nix Seems Like a Million Years
07. Billy “the Kid” Emerson When It Rains It Pours
08. Elvis Presley That’s All Right
09. Jerry Lee Lewis You Win Again
10. Charlie Feathers I’ve Been Deceived
11. Sleepy John Estes Rats in My Kitchen
12. D.A. Hunt Lonesome Ol’ Jail
13. Ernie Chaffin Feelin’ Low
14. Charlie Rich Sittin’ and Thinkin’
15. Johnny Cash Hey Porter
16. Carl Perkins Movie Magg
17. Harmonica Frank Rockin’ Chair Daddy
18. Roscoe Gordon Booted
19. James Cotton Cotton Crop Blues
20. Joe Hill Louis Dorothy Mae
21. Little Junior’s Blue Flames Mystery Train
22. Carl Perkins Blue Suede Shoes
23. Warren Smith Rock and Roll Ruby
24. Roy Orbison Go Go Go
25. Jerry Lee Lewis Settin’ the Woods on Fire
26. Million Dollar Quartet I Shall Not Be Moved
27. Elvis Presley Tryin’ to Get to You
Thanks to Redeye
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