Good Rockin' Tonight: The Legacy of Sun Records

Amazon.com
Most of the artists on this tribute to Sam Phillips'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 briefly get 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, not Elvis, 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, and Led Zep's Page & Plant do for Sonny Burgess. Especially marvelous is 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

Good Rockin' Tonight: The Legacy of Sun Records,Various Artists,Sire / London/Rhino,Adult Contemporary,Album Rock,Folk-Rock,Hard Rock,Pop,Pop/Rock,Retro-Rock,Rock & Roll,Rock/Pop Collections,Rockabilly,Rockabilly Revival,Roots Rock,Singer/Songwriter,Soft Rock,Tribute Albums,V/a Compilations

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Good Rockin' Tonight: The Legacy of Sun Records

Average customer rating: rockabilly summit It Rocks,however... Not a legacy to stand on Pulled Off A Very Difficult Project--Great Album! A Very Difficult Project Pulled Off Successfully

Good Rockin' Tonight: The Legacy of Sun Records Various Artists Manufacturer: Rhino / Wea ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music Soft Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music Tributes | Pop | Styles | Music Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Rockabilly | Oldies & Retro | Rock | Styles | Music General | Oldies & Retro | Rock | Styles | Music Vintage Rock & Roll | Compilations | Rock | Styles | Music General | Compilations | Rock | Styles | Music Roots Rock | Rock | Styles | Music General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Rhino Records | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: Good Rockin' Tonight - The Legacy of Sun Records Sun Records 50th Anniversary Collection Timeless: Hank Williams Tribute Kindred Spirits: A Tribute to the Music of Johnny Cash Sun Records: 50th Anniversary ASIN: B00005NZX7 Release Date: 2001-10-30

Tracks:

1. That's All Right Mama - Paul McCartney
2. Mystery Train - Jeff Beck & Chrissie Hynde
3. My Bucket's Got a Hole in It - Jimmy Page & Robert Plant
4. Blue Suede Shoes - Johnny Hallyday
5. Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On - Elton John
6. Blue Moon of Kentucky - Tom Petty
7. Sitting on Top of the World - Van Morrison & Carl Perkins
8. Don't Be Cruel - Brian Ferry
9. Red Cadillac and a Black Moustache - Bob Dylan
10. Walkin' in the Rain - Eric Clapton
11. Lonely Weekend - Matchbox 20
12. Who Will the Next Fool Be? - Sheryl Crow
13. It Wouldn't Be the Same Without You - Chris Isaak
14. I Walk the Line - Live
15. Drinkin' Wine Spo-Dee-O-Dee - The Howling Diablos & Kid Rock
16. You Win Again - Mandy Barnett with the Jordanaires

Amazon.com

Most of the artists on this tribute to Sam Phillips'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 briefly get 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, not Elvis, 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, and Led Zep's Page & Plant do for Sonny Burgess. Especially marvelous is 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

Customer Reviews:

rockabilly summit.......2007-04-22

This is a unique gathering of musical giants. Where else can you find a CD with Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton, Scotty Moore, James Burton, Paul McCartney, Elton John, Robert Plant and Bob Dylan. This much starpower has never been put on one CD before. Every song sounds like a hit. Some like Plant, Dylan, Tom Petty and Bryan Ferry definitely try to be rockabilly while others like LIVE and Kid Rock do what they do best. Rap and grunge don't really fit in with the theme here but its just a brief departure from an otherwise retro disc of bliss.

It Rocks,however..........2002-08-13

A tribute to Sun Records and not a cut from the Killer?? Jerry Lee Lewis lives right down the road from Sun Studio,so why was he excluded from a "tribute" to his old stable? For all who may not know,he still ROCKS,and does so with alot of gusto!! I did enjoy the Dylan cut,as well as McCartney,ChrissieHynde,Van and Carl,Kid Rock,Cheryl,and the rest,many of these tunes have been covered before,and were hits, many by the guy who was snubbed,Mr. Lewis! So what gives?? If the listener isn"t aware of Sam Phillips,the big "E",Carl,Killer,Cash,Warren Smith,Howlin Wolk ,Rufus Thomas and all the rest,then this will help open a door to some reat roots music for them,I found it refreshing overall.

Not a legacy to stand on.......2002-06-09

If this were a tribute record, it would be but one of 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 "the legacy of Sun Records" (see subtitle). What does that mean, exactly? I have no idea, but, apparently, the Sun legacy consists of clueless 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 fails to drown out Chrissie Hynde's inexplicably orgiastic singing, to use the latter term as lightly as possible. And it's always nice to hear Carl Perkins. Perkins, Moore, and McCartney are as good as 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 memory of 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 number was 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 trying for a pop-journalistic version of authenticity. Only he knows what he is doing. This tacky package is completed by faux-primitive cover and booklet art, along with the most hilariously illiterate liner notes ever written. Two stars for the handful of musicians mentioned above. You'd think they'd have better things to do with their time and talent.

Pulled Off A Very Difficult Project--Great Album!.......2002-06-08

Let me preface by saying I'm a big fan of American roots music. Growing up, I absolutely craved this type of stuff. I could find a few Howlin' Wolf and Muddy Waters records at the local library and I "borrowed" my grandfathers Hank Williams record, but Elvis Presley was about the only Sun music readily available. RCA's release of the Complete Sun Sessions in 87 lead me to a general interest in the sun music catalog. Many of the songs I owned as EPs that had been given to me by my grandmother. As a graduating senior from college 93, I took a road trip to Memphis and visited Sun Studio. In the store above the studio, I purchased 2 U.K. Import CDs from Charley Records Limited, The Sun Story Vol. 1 Sunrise & The Sun Story Vol. 2 Rockabilly Rhythm. You wouldn't think that the Europeans would have a better handle on our own music but that always seems to be the case.

By now I'm familiar with almost all of these songs. I can honestly say there aren't any "mailed in" performances to get on the album. Many of these songs are deceivingly simple, especially by today's standards, but to attack them with such sincerity is part of what makes this a great album.

Scotty Moore (Rock & Roll HOF inductee, Sun Records Elvis Presley guitarist) appears on "That's All Right" and "Don't Be Cruel" with D. J. Fontana (Elvis Presley drummer). In all honesty, Scotty deserves as much credit for the Rock and Roll stylings on those two songs as Elvis Presley. I'm glad he could be on the album with Paul McCartney no less.

Paul McCartney (no slouch in the legend department) does a bang up job on vocals with "That's all Right". He's very sincere. I don't see how you could sing this song without curling your lip. Perhaps he was.

I wish Scotty Moore could have played on "Mystery Train" (he took the Elvis version a much different direction from the Little Junior version), but Jeff Beck goes way beyond what Scotty did and rocks it out. Very Nice (show off)! Chrissie Hynde is her interesting self on vocals.

Jimmy Page & Robert Plant send up the sloppy "My Buckets Got A Hole In It" in true rock fashion.

Elton John pumps the piano in true Jerry Lee form on "Whole Lotta Shakin' Going On". Who has done more for the piano in Rock and Roll than Jerry Lee Lewis and Elton John? It just has to be on here.

It's great to have Carl Perkins on "Sittin' On Top Of The World". His distinctive voice sets up the even more distinctive Van Morrison to cut right into the song. Van Morrison, the producer, does himself a favor here, but it works really well.

Bob Dylan's "Red Cadillac And A Black Moustache" is a pull back in energy from the original Warren Smith version. I guess if you're Bob Dylan you can do whatever you want. His thinner, nasalier voice drips with the emotion of his later works.

"Lonely Weekend" by Matchbox 20 and "I Walk the Line" by Live are the more experimental tracks.

Chrlie Rich's (yes, the Silver Fox) "Lonely Weekend" was a well written, over produced song that he chose to sing in Elvis Presley vocal style. Matchbox 20 showed more originality than Charlie Rich in this regard.

Live decided to play with dynamics to create a dark and brooding "I Walk The Line". How can someone complain about a dark and brooding version of a Johnny Cash song? (When I play it I use lots of distortion too.)

My biggest disappointment is the Chris Isaak "It wouldn't be the same without you". Chris does a good job here, but his vocal abilities to channel the spirit of Elvis are not put to use. What were you thinking?! He has previously recorded "Blue Moon" for an Elvis tribute album with Scotty Moore, and I swear it sounded better than Elvis.

Finally, what can I say about Kid Rock? He belongs on here. Rap was as cutting edge as this music in its time. Bawdy and brash. I know Elvis would have rapped had he lived into the Nineteen Eighties. Great Album!

A Very Difficult Project Pulled Off Successfully.......2002-06-08

Let me preface by saying I'm a big fan of American roots music. Growing up, I absolutely craved this type of stuff. I could find a few Howlin' Wolf and Muddy Waters records at the local library and I "borrowed" my grandfathers Hank Williams record, but Elvis Presley was about the only Sun music readily available. RCA's release of the Complete Sun Sessions in 87 lead me to a general interest in the sun music catalog. Many of the songs I owned as EPs that had been given to me by my grandmother. As a graduating senior from college 93, I took a road trip to Memphis and visited Sun Studio. In the store above the studio, I purchased 2 U.K. Import CDs from Charley Records Limited, The Sun Story Vol. 1 Sunrise & The Sun Story Vol. 2 Rockabilly Rhythm. You wouldn't think that the Europeans would have a better handle on our own music but that always seems to be the case.

By now I'm familiar with almost all of these songs. I can honestly say there aren't any "mailed in" performances to get on the album. Many of these songs are deceivingly simple, especially by today's standards, but to attack them with such sincerity is part of what makes this a great album.

Scotty Moore (Rock & Roll HOF inductee, Sun Records Elvis Presley guitarist) appears on "That's All Right" and "Don't Be Cruel" with D. J. Fontana (Elvis Presley drummer). In all honesty, Scotty deserves as much credit for the Rock and Roll stylings on those two songs as Elvis Presley. I'm glad he could be on the album with Paul McCartney no less.

Paul McCartney (no slouch in the legend department) does a bang up job on vocals with "That's all Right". He's very sincere. I don't see how you could sing this song without curling your lip. Perhaps he was.

I wish Scotty Moore could have played on "Mystery Train" (he took the Elvis version a much different direction from the Little Junior version), but Jeff Beck goes way beyond what Scotty did and rocks it out. Very Nice (show off)! Chrissie Hynde is her interesting self on vocals.

Jimmy Page & Robert Plant send up the sloppy "My Buckets Got A Hole In It" in true rock fashion.

Elton John pumps the piano in true Jerry Lee form on "Whole Lotta Shakin' Going On". Who has done more for the piano in Rock and Roll than Jerry Lee Lewis and Elton John? It just has to be on here.

It's great to have Carl Perkins on "Sittin' On Top Of The World". His distinctive voice sets up the even more distinctive Van Morrison to cut right into the song. Van Morrison, the producer, does himself a favor here, but it works really well.

Bob Dylan's "Red Cadillac And A Black Moustache" is a pull back in energy from the original Warren Smith version. I guess if you're Bob Dylan you can do whatever you want. His thinner, nasalier voice drips with the emotion of his later works.

"Lonely Weekend" by Matchbox 20 and "I Walk the Line" by Live are the more experimental tracks.

Chrlie Rich's (yes, the Silver Fox) "Lonely Weekend" was a well written, over produced song that he chose to sing in Elvis Presley vocal style. Matchbox 20 showed more originality than Charlie Rich in this regard.

Live decided to play with dynamics to create a dark and brooding "I Walk The Line". How can someone complain about a dark and brooding version of a Johnny Cash song? (When I play it I use lots of distortion too.)

My biggest disappointment is the Chris Isaak "It wouldn't be the same without you". Chris does a good job here, but his vocal abilities to channel the spirit of Elvis are not put to use. What were you thinking?! He has previously recorded "Blue Moon" for an Elvis tribute album with Scotty Moore, and I swear it sounded better than Elvis.

Finally, what can I say about Kid Rock? He belongs on here. Rap was as cutting edge as this music in its time. Bawdy and brash. I know Elvis would have rapped had he lived into the Nineteen Eighties. Great Album!

Average customer rating:

Good Rockin' Tonight: Legacy of Sun Records Various Artists Manufacturer: Wea ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Pop | Styles | Music Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music Soft Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music Tributes | Pop | Styles | Music Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Rockabilly | Oldies & Retro | Rock | Styles | Music General | Oldies & Retro | Rock | Styles | Music General | Compilations | Rock | Styles | Music Roots Rock | Rock | Styles | Music General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Rock | Imports | Stores | Music ASIN: B00005S0EV Release Date: 2001-12-19

Tracks:

1. Thats All Right - Paul McCartney
2. Mystery Train - Jeff Beck And Chrissie Hynde
3. My Buckets Got A Hole In It - Jimmy Page And Robert Plant
4. Blue Suede Shoes - Johnny Hallyday
5. Whole Lotta Shakin Goin On - Elton John
6. Blue Moon Of Kentucky - Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers
7. Sittin On Top Of The World - Van Morrison And Carl Perkins
8. Dont Be Cruel - Bryan Ferry
9. Red Cadillac And A Black Moustache - Bob Dylan
10. Just Walkin In The Rain - Eric Clapton And The Impression
11. Lonely Weekend - Matchbox Twenty
12. Who Will The Next Fool Be - Sheryl Crow
13. It Wouldnt Be The Same Without You - Chris Isaak
14. I Walk The Line - LIVE
15. Drinkin Wine Spo-Dee-O-Dee - The Howling Diablos Ft Kid Rock
16. You Win Again - Mandy Barnett W/ The Jordanaires
17. Cry Cry Cry - Third Eye Blind
18. Teasin Around - Brain May
19. Rock N Roll Ruby - Mark Knopfler

Album Description

19 track CD of music from Paul McCartney, Bob Dylan, Van Morrison & others celebrating Sun Records. This Japanese pressing includes 3 bonus tracks, 'Cry, Cry, Cry' Third Eye Blind, 'Teasin' Around' Brian May & 'Rock 'N' Roll Ruby' Mark Knopfler. 2001.

Album Details

Japanese Version featuring a Bonus Track

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7. Instant Live: Alltel Pavilion at Walnut Creek [Box set] [Live]
8. Invisible Invasion [Import]
9. Jump Up! [Original recording remastered] [Import]
10. Klaus Nomi [Import]

Rap Music

rap music

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