Notes & Personnel Info |  | Contains 24 tracks. |  | Contains 24 tracks. |  | Surprisingly, The Ultimate Rock & Roll Collection: The 50s features more actual rock & roll than either of the volumes of the series devoted to the '60s or the '70s, including early rock classics like Elvis Presley's "Jailhouse Rock," "Heartbreak Hotel," and "Hound Dog"; Chuck Berry's "Johnny B. Goode"; and Ritchie Valens' "La Bamba." The rest of the album falls more into the pop territory of the era, including favorites such as Fats Domino's "Blueberry Hill," Johnny Mathis' "Chances Are," and the Platters' "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes." Like most oldies collections, The Ultimate Rock & Roll Collection: The 50s is somewhat scattered, but the whole album is enjoyable nevertheless. ~ Heather Phares |  | The first volume of Collectables' Ultimate Jukebox Hits of the '50s is much like the others -- a grab-bag assortment. These compilations work best for wedding DJs and those who aren't too picky about having definitive compilations in their music collection. While these discs offer a fair representation of the time period being covered, the process in selecting the tracks for each disc was seemingly done with the aid of a blindfold. Included on this particular volume are Fats Domino's "Blueberry Hill," Elvis Presley's "Heartbreak Hotel," the Isley Brothers' "Shout," Danny & the Juniors' "At the Hop," Buddy Holly's "Peggy Sue," and the Big Bopper's "Chantilly Lace." There are dozens of similar compilations available -- this one is hardly the worst or the best. ~ Andy Kellman |  | WCBS FM 101.1 25th Anniversary Edition, Vol. 1: The 50s collects 24 classic rock & roll tracks that are perennial favorites on the New York radio station, including Danny & the Juniors "At the Hop," Paul Anka's "Diana," Santo & Johnny's "Sleepwalk," the Everly Brothers' "Bye Bye Love," Ritchie Valens "La Bamba," Johnny Mathis' "Chances Are" and Chuck Berry's "Johnny B. Goode." It's a solid but unexceptional oldies collection that should please casual fans; more dedicated collectors will find its predictable song selection a little frustrating and the disc a little unnecessary. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine |  | Oldies 103 FM Presents 10th Anniversary Edition: The Best of '50s collects 24 classic rock & roll tracks that are perennial favorites on the Boston radio station, including Danny & the Juniors "At the Hop," Paul Anka's "Diana," Santo & Johnny's "Sleepwalk," the Everly Brothers' "Bye Bye Love," Ritchie Valens' "La Bamba," Johnny Mathis' "Chances Are" and Chuck Berry's "Johnny B. Goode." It's a solid but unexceptional oldies collection that should please casual fans; more dedicated collectors will find its predictable song selection a little frustrating and the disc a little unnecessary. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine |  | WOGL Oldies 98 presents the 10th Anniversary Edition, Vol. 1: Best of the 50's collects 24 classic rock & roll and pop-rock tracks that are perennial favorites on the Philidelphia radio station, including Danny & the Juniors "At the Hop," Paul Anka's "Diana," Santo & Johnny's "Sleepwalk," the Everly Brothers' "Bye Bye Love," Ritchie Valens' "La Bamba," Johnny Mathis' "Chances Are" and Chuck Berry's "Johnny B. Goode." It's a solid but unexceptional oldies collection that should please casual fans; more dedicated collectors will find its predictable song selection a little frustrating and the disc a little unnecessary. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine |  | Surprisingly, The Ultimate Rock & Roll Collection: The 50s features more actual rock & roll than either of the volumes of the series devoted to the '60s or the '70s, including early rock classics like Elvis Presley's "Jailhouse Rock," "Heartbreak Hotel," and "Hound Dog"; Chuck Berry's "Johnny B. Goode"; and Ritchie Valens' "La Bamba." The rest of the album falls more into the pop territory of the era, including favorites such as Fats Domino's "Blueberry Hill," Johnny Mathis' "Chances Are," and the Platters' "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes." Like most oldies collections, The Ultimate Rock & Roll Collection: The 50s is somewhat scattered, but the whole album is enjoyable nevertheless. ~ Heather Phares |
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