Sleazy Rock 'n' Roll 10 Items

In Spain between 1957 and 1968, 11 EPs were released containing part of their recordings for Capitol. Most were Spanish editions of American or French EPs, although some of them presented important differences in covers and details.

This triple LP compiles all the songs that made up those 11 EPs, including as bonus two of Gene's most emblematic songs, Be-Bop-A-Lula / Say Mama, released originally in 1956 and 1958, but which did not see the light in Spain until 1968, when they were released on a single.

Gene Vincent never performed in Spain, despite the fact that his presence in neighboring France was more than usual, being recognized there at the same level as Chuck Berry or Elvis Presley. But his songs did reach the ears of many kids in Spain in the early sixties, through the Spanish editions of the EPs collected here and also by the radio stations of the American Army bases, influencing Spanish bands and singers such as The Rocking Boy, Los Sirex or Bruno Lomas, who always recognized him as one of their main influences.

The second release from the popular South-European surf-combo offers six cool tracks, presented on 10-inch wax!

On 7-inch, here are three tracks by one of America's most noteworthy contemporary '60s-styled beat bands.

This 10-incher offers powerful and authentic rockabilly from Charlie Hightone and his Rock-It's, who are among the most popular bands on the European rockin' scene. Their early releases have been packing the dancefloors with boppers, and this second full-length release is sure ton have a comparable impact. 'Small But Loud' includes contributions from Big Sandy and Vesa Haaja (The Barnshakers).

In 1960, Dick Dale released his last single before his surfer days with the small company Cupid Records, from Sherman Oaks, California. On it, he was backed by Tommy Oliver's band, and its B-side contains THE Fairest OF Them ALL, a marvellous piece of orchestrated rock'n'roll, with a crooner touch, that we rescue to open this EP, and which marked the end of his first musical stage. The B-side of this EP features two previous songs from 1960, both released on his second single for his father's label, Del-Tone Records. Stop Teasing is a hot rhythm & blues, New Orleans style, a far cry from what Dick had recorded on his early records, topped off with a great guitar solo. It was originally paired with Whitout Your Love, a slow blues, in the same vein as Elvis Presley's Don't Ask Me Why, which opens up even more the musical spectrum that Dick was handling before he made his leap to fame. These three tracks perfectly complement the three ones that make up the first EP in this series, and are a perfect summary of Dick's rock'n'roll years, before the release of his next single, Let's Go Trippin' / Del-Tone Rock, his first one with The Del-Tones and his consecration as the king of surf music. DeeJay Francho

Dick Dale’s first recording came two years before he formed the Del-Tones and was crowned King of The Surf Guitar. That record was “Ooh Whee Marie,” released on his father’s fledging Del-Tone label in the summer of 1958. Dale was 21 years old at the time and encouraged by his father to learn guitar and trumpet. His musical hero was Hank Williams and other country stars he heard on the radio, including Buddy Holly, whose influence is apparent on “Marie.” He soon developed an impression of Elvis that he took to various talent shows around the Los Angeles area. He won enough of these shows to bring him to the Town Hall Party stage, a three-hour live Saturday night viewing staple broadcast from Compton. Dale played trumpet in the backing band that accompanied various guest stars. There was also plenty of rockabilly music from the younger artists on that show, which influenced Dale’s third outing on record, “Jessie Pearl” and “St. Louis Blues,” recorded earlier, but released in the summer of 1960. “Jessie Pearl” was Dale’s first self-penned song. “St. Louis Blues,” an old W.C. Handy jazz number, was a song Dale had picked up learning how to play trumpet. Around July, 1960, Dick Dale formed the Del-Tones and began playing to capacity crowds at the Rendezvous Ballroom in Newport Beach. His next release was “Let’s Go Trippin’.” He had single-handedly launched the surf music genre. --John Blair