Various Artists – I Smell A Rat: Early Black Rock ‘n’ Roll No.2 1949 – 1959 Various Artists – Head Over High Heels: Strong & Female 1927-1959 (both Trikont)
Fresh from an excellent piece in The Word magazine, our favourite German compilation label returns with two more inspired collections. I Smell A Rat, compiled by Jonathan Fischer, is the much anticipated follow-up to their hugely successful Roll Your Moneymaker set, and again concentrates on the very early years of black rock ‘n’ roll. 78s from the period indicate black performers raised on blues, gospel and jazz were cutting rock ‘n’ roll records, in all but name, long before Sam Phillips found Elvis and the mainstream. I’m sure the average rock ‘n’ roll fanatic will recognise the majority of the names present. Early rockers like Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley and Andre Williams are all present, as are blues legends such as Howlin’ Wolf, John Lee Hooker and Etta James. What makes I Smell A Rat such a compulsive listen is the way these recordings connect, whether it’s the obvious, like Little Esther Phillips raw jazz take on “Hound Dog” or the more obscure, but equally urgent, such as Sister Rosetta Tharpe’s “Can’t No Grave Hold My Body Down”.
Head Over High Heels is even more fun. It features singers and actresses who found fame in the talkies, from the ‘30s onwards, and highlights some amazing performances. What’s more, they’ll be new to most music fans. Pearl Bailey kicks things off with her sassy “You Can Be Replaced” (check out her “Adults” albums), which is followed by a who’s-who of pre-rock ‘n’ roll, female showbiz legends. Simply, all the big names you’d expect to find are here. Mae West, Marilyn Monroe, Peggy Lee, Rita Hayworth, Doris Day and Ginger Rogers. Obviously, such a list may well strike fear into the hearts of certain listeners, but approached with an open mind, there’s much to be enjoyed. www.trikont.com
Rob F.
