EL PRIMITIVO AMERICAN ROCK 'N' ROLL & ROCKABILLY contains 24 tracks produced by Murray Nash for the Chess, Jax, Nash, and Do-Ra-Me labels between 1956 and 1964. 12 tracks are previously unreleased.
24 rockabilly tracks recorded in Nashville between 1956 and 1964 under the direction of Murray Nash, who ran the small Do-Ra-Me label. The title doesn't lie. This is raw, and rare; about half of the selections weren't even issued until this CD compilation. Mel Robbins is the most recognizable name here, as some of tracks were picked up for distribution by Chess, although you'd have a hard time finding anyone familiar with his work other than diehard rockabilly collectors. Mick Farren's liner notes give the impression that you're about to hear a rockabilly Gong Show of sorts, but although the performances are more on the level of inspired amateurism than old Gene Vincent sides, it's rather enjoyable, rarely crossing into ineptitude. You shouldn't get these Elvis-Eddie Cochran-Carl Perkins-et al. derivations unless rockabilly's your main dish, but not everything has to be classic to be good clean fun. That's what's on tap here, offering infectious enthusiasm (if not much originality) and occasional bursts of memorability (as in the Imps' instrumental "Uh Oh," with fuzzy chords reminiscent of vintage Link Wray). ~ Richie Unterberger
