Rock the Joint - Compilation
-The Roots and Branches of Rock'n'Roll -
Castle Pulse

This three-disc collection was on sale for $9.99 at Tower Records. I couldn't pass up a bargain like that, especially when the 54 tracks cover the advent of r&r. Inside the case of each disc is a quote from 1957 by Frank Sinatra that ends with " It is the most brutal, ugly, desperate, vicious form of expression it has ever been my misfortune to hear". Frank was right and the selections here prove it. Everything from jump blues to doowop to rockabilly to nasty guitar workouts to vocal duets to down-home blues - it's all here. There are plenty of artists that you will recognize but the people that put this set together mostly stay away from the hits, choosing to give us selections that often live up to Frank's quote. Years ago, you could turn on a radio, scan the dial and hear all of this music and more. If you want to relive those glory days, throw these discs in the cd changer and crank the stereo. This is roots music, digitally remastered and still sounding desperate and even vicious. But Frank got the ugly part wrong. This is the sound of a country spreading it's wings musically, exploring the roots and preparing to enter Gene Summer's "School of Rock'n'Roll". Be there or be square .'.'.'?

There are plenty of artists deserving of greater recognition and attention. I hope I have created some interest for the artists that created these discs. If so, you can shop on-line without making the trip to New Orleans at: http://www.louisianamusicfactory.com If you decide to make the trip, let me know- You'll probably need an experienced guide! M.T.