Well, I guess that wasn't too complicated. Sound quality, predictably, is awful, making the above "Examination Certificate for Full Fidelity Response Recordings with Live Sound" (back cover of box) especially hilarious, since these have about a 9,000 Hz high end. I doubt they top off at 15000 Hz, as claimed. I got these to sound acceptable, and, in the process of ripping the final disc, I discovered that my Stanton 680 HiFi cartridge navigates warped vinyl effortlessly, in contrast to my 500 cart, which wants to bounce.
For lowest-quality EPs, these restored pretty well (with a good amount of de-clicking). The performances are better than we have a right to expect, and some are even genuinely good. And the version of Rock Around the Clock is my all-time favorite cheap-label version, despite the off-the-beat intro. It found its way around the cheapo labels and may have originated on Gateway. (Update: Nope, not the same version as Gateway Top Tune. It's Gabe Drake on Prom 1118, poss. 1955) Why it was included, I don't know, because the rest of the tracks are copies of 1956 hits, whereas RATC hit it big in 1955 (as a re-release). But I don't complain--it's the perfect starter track.
"Reg. $16.00 value." They wish.
1. Rock Around the Clock
2. Long Tall Sally
3. Blue Suede Shoes
4. Ain't That a Shame
5. Hound Dog
6. See You Later Alligator
7. Blueberry Hill
8. Rip It Up
9. I Want You, I Need You, I Love You
10. Let the Good Times Roll
11. The Fool
12. Every Day
13. When My Dreamboat Comes Home
14, Why Do Fools Fall in Love
15. Love, Love, Love
16. Don't Be Cruel
17. Ready Teddy
18. I'm in Love Again
Vocal Stars of Radio & Television with Famous Orchestras (Variety EPV-1801, 3-EP, 45 rpm set, 1957? Discs themselves are EPV-6025/26/27)
Above: label scan. Suddenly, the set's name is "Rock n Roll," with half of the "n" missing. Such loving care these guys took.
Lee
