After more than 25 volumes in rockabilly roundup series like That'll Flat Git It and others, it becomes very difficult to surprise early rock & roll fans. But the work of a Belgian collector and compiler named
Dr. Boogie (aka Walter De Paduwa) will have even the savviest rockabilly fans running back to their sessionographies to identify the 26 artists here, where names like
Gene Maltais and
Ronnie Haig represent the more popular side of the equation. As with the previous compilations from
Dr. Boogie, such as the one devoted to female blues of the '20s, this is not the usual reissue material; these are a little rough in comparison , more amateurish and reflecting the cramped studios they were recorded in (and the anachronistic musicians who recorded them). If
Dr. Boogie has a type, it's not the frenetic wild-man sides that often show up on rockabilly compilations, it's the boom-chicka-boom meld of country and early rock, with less of an R&B influence. Obviously, those new to rockabilly will find more to love with a good Sun compilation, but those who want to dig deeper will find much of interest. Just one caveat: those looking for details about where these came from will look in vain; the only thing you get beyond the track listing is a brief
Boogie essay that recites the usual origin story for rockabilly. ~ John Bush