Artists | Issues | CD Reviews | Interviews | Concert Reviews | DVD/Video Reviews | Book Reviews | Who We Are | Staff | Home
 
Non-Prog CD Reviews

Bill Haley & His Comets

Don't Knock The Rock (10-inch vinyl)

Review by Gary Hill

Bear Family Records has been putting out some cool stuff. I am particularly fond of these ten-inch old school rock and roll reissues. This new one is on clear vinyl. It captures some solid tunes from Bill Haley and his crew. While some of these tunes hold up better than others, it's a fun ride from start to finish. This is also a very classy release.

Bonus video footage of this release is available at the Music Street Journal Youtube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=udulwvVNWfo

This review is available in book (paperback and hardcover) in Music Street Journal: 2020  Volume 1. More information and purchase links can be found at: garyhillauthor.com/Music-Street-Journal-2020.
Track by Track Review
Side One
          
Don't Knock The Rock

Drums start this cut. Some chiming guitar rises up to drive the piece forward. This a bouncy, fun little number that works well.

Choo Choo Ch' Boogie
This little rock and roller does have a bit of a train vibe to it. Although, with that title, would you expect anything else. I dig the horn work on this. The killer clean guitar soloing is a great touch, too. I like this piece a lot. It has some jazz in the mix and really works so well.
Hot Dog Buddy Buddy
While I love the wailing horn on this rock and roller, the cut isn't as strong as some of the others here.
Rip It Up
This song feels like one of the band's biggest hits, "Rock Around the Clock." It has some jazz in the mix and works reasonably well/
I'll Be With You In Apple Blossom Time
A bit mellower and slower, tune, some of the guitar work on this, particularly the solo, calls to mind surf music. The track is a classy number that brings some variety to the table.
Side Two
                  
Teenager's Mother (Are You Right?)

I love the guitar fills on this cut. The tune has a cool rock and roll groove. It's one of my favorites here.

Goofin' Around
I love the smoking hot guitar work on this killer old-school rock and roll instrumental. This is a highlight of the set and a lot of fun.
Hook, Line And Sinker
A bit of a "by the numbers" piece, this is a fun rock and roller.
Calling All Comets
Another instrumental, this is packed with some tasty jamming and a lot of energy.               
Caldonia
This is another straight ahead old-school rock and roller. It's a bit of an "also ran" on the set, really.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTqqxpTmgMcm-lTIVqNCeyA
 
More CD Reviews
Metal/Prog Metal
Non-Prog
Progressive Rock
 
Google

   Creative Commons License
   This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 United States License.

    © 2024 Music Street Journal                                                                           Site design and programming by Studio Fyra, Inc./Beetcafe.com