Various: Good Rockin' Tonight: The Legacy Of Sun Records CD Track Listing

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Various Good Rockin' Tonight: The Legacy Of Sun Records (2001)
Originally Released October 30, 2001AMG EXPERT REVIEW: If youknow anything about rock & roll, you know that Sun Records loomslarge over the history and mythos of the music -- enough so thatit does deserve its own full-fledged tribute (what else could suit the home of Elvis, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, Charlie Rich, and the Killer, as well as cult icons like Warren Smith, Sonny Burgess, Billy Lee Riley, and the Collins Kids). Still, given the history of tribute records, it's easy to be suspicious about the star-studded 2001 affair Good Rockin' Tonight: The Legacy of Sun Records, since this equation often equals less than the sum of the parts. However, there is a crucial difference with Sun Records --if you're truly in love with the label, it's hard not to try to explain your love, which is a decidedly different thing than paying respect. After all, respect implies a certain sense of reserve,and while that's true with some of the cuts here (Chris Isaak's"It Wouldn't Be the Same Without You," for instance), most of this record is joyous, loose, and fun. It is possible to tell the difference between artists who were kids when they fell in love with Sun, since they're looser with the material, capturing the veryfeel of the records, where the newer artists -- the Howlin' Diablos and Kid Rock's "Drinkin' Wine Spo-Dee-O-Dee" should by all rights should have been a barnstormer, but the hip-hop affectationslead to a slower tempo and lazy production compared to any of Jerry Lee's breakneck, relentless versions -- seem obsessed with making these songs fit their sound. With the veterans, there is a bit of a tendency to be overly faithful, but it doesn't sink the tribute because the songs are tremendous and most of the artists have giddy love for this stuff. And this really does separate theboys from the men (girls from the women, too), since the real artists can hold their own even when they're caged by fan worship --look at how Tom Petty apes Elvis on "Blue Moon of Kentucky," yetstill winds up with a lively, vigorous performance. Some of thefeatured artists don't really make sense -- no disrespect meant,but who ever thought Matchbox Twenty could do Charlie Rich, especially how they slow "Lonely Weekends" down and turn it all hambone serious (although it does take a certain talent to prove that even Charlie Rich can sound post-grunge in the right hands) or that Live works for Johnny Cash -- but most of Good Rockin' Tonightis nothing but fine, fine, fine. Tribute albums usually are too slavish to their source or blatantly flaunting how they're deviating from tradition, but this is one of the rare cases where the tribute usually captures the spirit of its subject, and it's a whole lotta fun because of it. -- Stephen Thomas ErlewineAmazon.com Editorial ReviewMost of the artists on this tribute to SamPhillips's legendary Memphis label have chosen to cover the rockabilly hits. It isn't until a genuine Sun rockabilly artist--the late Carl Perkins--makes an appearance, joining Van Morrison for Howlin' Wolf's "Sittin' on Top of the World," that things brieflyget bluesy. Instead, Paul McCartney, Jeff Beck, Chrissie Hynde, Tom Petty, and Bryan Ferry all offer up loving, note-for-note recreations of early Elvis tunes, even if it was Jerry Lee Lewis, notElvis, who recorded a cover of "Don't Be Cruel" (Ferry's tune) for Sun. But Elton John and Mandy Barnett both do The Killer (Lewis) proud here, as Sheryl Crow later does for Charlie Rich, andLed Zep's Page & Plant do for Sonny Burgess. Especially marvelousis Bob Dylan's subtle and, at times, hilarious take on Warren Smith's "Red Cadillac and a Black Moustache." It's a career highlight and every bit as enchanting as Robert Gordon's '70s cover version. Like the label itself, there are more hits than misses here.--Bill Holdship AMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEWThe Sun Shines Brightly, Despite A Few Dark Clouds, December 19, 2001Reviewer:Mike Vegas King (Taunton, MA United States)"Good Rockin' Tonight" is an excellent tribute to Sun Records, marred by a few clunkers. Paul McCartney turns in an upbeat, inspired performance of "That's All Right, Mama," including more lyrics than Elvis did in his version. Elton John passionately pounds the piano and does hisbest Jerry Lee Lewis style vocal on "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On." It's Elton's rockingest performance in years and my favoritetrack. Bob Dylan performs the obscure Warren Smith tune "Red Cadillac And A Black Moustache" in his unique style and remakes it into a Dylan classic. Like a fine wine, Dylan gets better with age.Bryan Ferry turns in a polished performance of "Don't Be Cruel".It wasn't a hit for Elvis until his RCA years, but Jerry Lee Lewis recorded a version of the song while he was at Sun records. Sheryl Crow does a bluesy version of the Charlie Rich classic "WhoWill The Next Fool Be?", while Matchbox 20 rocks the house with alively version of Mr. Rich's "Lonely Weekend." "It Wouldn't Be The Same Without You" is an obscure track that appeared on the Elvis "Sunrise" compilation. Chris Isaak sounds so much like a youngElvis that his version of the song could be mistaken for an outtake from "Sunrise." On the other hand, Live turn in an off-key performance of "I Walk The Line" which can't compare to the original Johnny Cash classic. The Howling Diablos and Kid Rock should bearrested for murdering the song "Drinkin' Wine Spo-Dee-O-Dee." They single-handedly prevented me from giving "Good Rockin' Tonight" a five star rating.AMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEWNot a legacy to stand on, June 8, 2002Reviewer: Lee Hartsfeld (Heath, OH United States)If this were a tribute record, it would be but oneof many that have littered the record and CD shelves for the past forty years or so. But this is not a tribute record. It is "thelegacy of Sun Records" (see subtitle). What does that mean, exactly? I have no idea, but, apparently, the Sun legacy consists ofclueless Sun "cover" versions offered up by clueless celebrity rockers. Somebody should contest the will, in my opinion. (Wait-isn't Sam Phillips still alive?)Anyway, some of the tracks are harmless enough. McCartney does a very pleasant "That's All Right,"with Scotty Moore as laid-back and lovable as ever. And Jeff Beck's guitar showing-off on "Mystery Train" is fun, even if it failsto drown out Chrissie Hynde's inexplicably orgiastic singing, touse the latter term as lightly as possible. And it's always niceto hear Carl Perkins. Perkins, Moore, and McCartney are as goodas it gets, though a few of the other acts try to be creative--most notably, LIVE, who play "I Walk the Line" in minor mode to interesting effect. While LIVE's version doesn't displace the memoryof Johnny Cash-or, for that matter, Jaye P. Morgan, who had a contemporary pop hit with the song-at least the group tries..The same can't be said of the self-obsessed rockers Page and Plant,whose abominable version of "My Bucket's Got a Hole in It" is the CD's worst offering. This simple and infectious novelty numberwas done many years ago by Hank Williams in a style called "music." Tom Petty's "Blue Moon of Kentucky" is only slightly better. Petty, who sings with an indeterminate accent, seems to be tryingfor a pop-journalistic version of authenticity. Only he knows what he is doing. This tacky package is completed by faux-primitivecover and booklet art, along with the most hilariously illiterateliner notes ever written. Two stars for the handful of musiciansmentioned above. You'd think they'd have better things to do with their time and talent.Half.com Details Producer: Ahmet Ertegun (Compilation) Album NotesThis is the CD companion tothe PBS documentary GOOD ROCKIN' TONIGHT: THE LEGACY OF SUN RECORDS.Based on the PBS documentary "Good Rockin' Tonight: The Legacy Of Sun Records," this compendium features mostly baby boomeracts paying tribute to the legendary Memphis recording studio widely credited as being the cradle of rock & roll. Appropriately produced by Atlantic Records founder Ahmet Ertegun, this stellar collection is rife with '60s and '70s rockers, kicking off with Paul McCartney ripping into Arthur Crudup's pioneering "That's AllRight" with help from former Elvis sidemen Scotty Moore and D.J.Fontana. Jeff Beck ratchets up the reverb as Chrissie Hynde beltsout "Mystery Train," Bryan Ferry croons his way through "Don't Be Cruel," and Bob Dylan delivers a light-swinging interpretationof the nugget "Red Cadillac and a Black Moustache." Other notable veteran performances include Elton John's pounding cover of The Killer's "Whole Lotta Shakin' Going On" and Jimmy Page and Robert Plant kicking back for a loose-limbed reading of "My Bucket'sGot A Hole In It." The younger set also impresses, whether it's Kid Rock (!) and The Howling Diablos juicing up "Drinkin' Wine Spo-Dee-O-Dee" or the hidden Mandy Barnett track that finds her collaborating with the Jordanaires and making like Patsy Cline on Charlie Rich's classic "You Win Again." YEAR: 2001
This rock cd contains 16 tracks and runs 48min 51sec.
Freedb: e80b7110
Buy: from Amazon.com

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