Complete Releases 1955-62

This is a 2015 Acrobat Records release containing two CDs totaling 123 minutes playing time. There are 57 tracks representing all of Eddie Cochran’s 1955-62 singles.The audio quality is excellent given the age of the original recordings.Comprehensive liner notes, record dates and misc. B&W photos are enclosed.Unfortunately, no information is provided regarding studio session dates or the individual musicians who supported these recordings.Eddie Cochran, a multi talented artist, had an impressive singing range. He offered a fresh, energetic and authentic voice to any Rock, Blues, Country or Pop tune.An outstanding guitar player, with his signature Gretch 6120, he did innovative techniques with the strings that players continue to imitate. He was not only a popular solo artist but also a highly in demand West Coast session player. He was also a gifted composer, co-writing 21 of the 57 singles. Highly unusual in this era, where music publishing houses and record companies dictated material artists would record.Other factors that greatly assisted this artist, his loyal manager combined with the richly talented studio artists who supported his recordings.Jerry Capehart, Eddie’s manager, helped co-write some of his biggest hits. He also arranged for his client to be showcased not only on television but also films. This strategy insured Eddie received optimum exposure in promoting his image and recordings.The other enabler to Eddie’s career was the session musicians who helped build the recording quality of his singles.The short list includes Connie"Guybo" Smith, Lee Denson, Gary Lambert, Ray Johnson, Mike Henderson and Earl Palmer.These artists were the Dream Team” of late fifties/early sixties West Coast session players. They comprised the early version of the Gold Star Studio’s “Wrecking Crew” The Johnny Mann chorus should also not be overlooked. They contributed a backup harmony critical to Eddie’s recordings just as the Jordanaires were to Elvis’s hits.In order to really appreciate Eddie Cochran’s immense talent, one has to look beyond the classic hits and explore the more obscure material.First, are the early recordings of the Cochran Brothers. Listen and compare this material with duo recordings of Buddy Holly and Bob Montgomery. Both were singing brilliant Blue Grass/Hill Country influenced songs. They were reinterpreting this material and introducing it in a more contemporary format. This output alone, although eventually abandoned by Eddie, influenced countless country artists.Moving on through the singles collection, Eddie offers a blistering rendition of “Milk Cow Blues” which leaves Elvis ‘ version in the dust. His performance of “Blue Suede Shoes” certainly rivals and possibly surpasses the original singer (composer) Carl Perkins.Next, his unique ability to record standards and musically mold them into his style, examples include” Am I Blue”,” That’s My Desire” and” Have I told You Lately”.Eddie was knowledgeable of all the studio “tricks” to turn rather mundane material into hits.“Skinny Jim” is an example, where a “Jerry Lee Lewis” type pounding piano is added with an extended “Chuck Berry” guitar lead and blended with a” Little Richard” inflected vocal.Another studio approach was rearranging previous hits with new lyrics and slightly altered tempos. “Lets Get Together is a clever retrofitting of” Come on Everybody” and” Nervous Breakdown” is a reworked”Summertime Blues”.He was also not above borrowing previously established hit and recording it with new lyrics. Case in point, the George Motola 1958 composition of “Jeannie, Jeanie, Jeanie” which was an obvious knockoff of Little Richard’s 1957 hit,” Jenny, Jenny”.Regardless,"It's Only Rock n Roll" and Eddie Cochran is a major part of this glorious legacy.

Minnesota native Eddie Cochran (1938-60) was one of the 1st great stars of rock & roll whose influence far surpassed his brief career; more popular in the U.K. than the U.S. As a pioneer of rockabilly, his style was more muscular & less twang-y, adding a bluesy accent to the music that meshed w/his country-influenced melodies. He was an accomplished musician (guitar, bass, piano, bass) & songwriter/ co-writer of a majority of his songs; also a pioneer of experimenting w/overdubbing multiple guitar parts & distortion techniques.This 2015 U.K. 2-disc set collects most of his recorded output – I found 3 missing songs: My Way, a #23 U.K. single from ’61; Three Stars, a ’66 U.K. A-side; & Eddie’s Blues, a ’67 U.K. B-side. Disc 1 is 61 minutes, 29 tracks; disc 2, 60 min., 28 tracks. All songs are mono except for 2 stereo tracks (#s 2, 3 on disc 2). Sound is excellent except for some vocal distortion on the first 8 tracks, his 1955 singles w/Hank Cochran (no relation) as the Cochran Brothers. Includes a 20 page booklet w/pictures/ song composer/ full label info & release date for both U.S. & U.K./ U.S. chart position. Much more info is included in the booklet bio, including U.K. chart activity. Discs are securely housed in a standard sized jewel case back-to-back on a swinging tray. Windows Media Player correctly identifies everything.

Eddie Cochran was a contemporary of some fine musicians. They pushed one another to redefine the boundaries. Buddy Holly, Duane Eddy, Chuck Berry and others paved the way for the Stones, the Beatles, etc. The music scene is like a relay race. Every musical act hands off the baton to others who take it a little farther. Eddie Cochran, with his short life is indelibly etched into our minds. His contribution is undeniable. Great music when riding in the car.

Pretty simple, it's everything he recorded. You like him or you don't. I do.

Great 2 cd set. Lots of songs to enjoy. He was very talented. It is a shame we lost him so young.

Has most of the hits you'd expect. A few are missing, so read the reviews for where to get those if you're an Eddie completist.

Bought for myself. Love it!

Classic music

COOL disc - EDDY forever!!!

Superbe compilation.Complet.

Having visited his memorial in Chippenham, and having my memories of him and his pioneering music re-awakened I bought this as a souvenir. I was amazed at how much music he made before his tragically early death. It is a great album.

Very Reminiscent

Fabulous to have all his tracks on one CD, I have them all on vinyl but this is much more convenientRECOMMENDED