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Music : Rock Island Line - The Singles Anthology
Rating: 
- If anybody asks you "Who sung the song?"....
Influence is curious currency. And Lonnie Donegan as a performing artist had bags of it.
The Quarrymen became The Beatles and the three chord tricks became British R&B. Whilst skiffle itself was not durable in terms of the public eye it spawned a whole era of music that charts British music history.
Mr Donegan then. Here is probably the most comprehensive and best value compilation of the man's material. There are decent alternatives but this collection of Singles (both A-sides and B-sides) does a good job of covering the man's career from the mid-1950s to the mid-late 1960s.
"Rock Island Line" sounds like it's in the eye of the storm when it gathers pace. Magic but accessible magic. Sounds American but quintessentially British.
(Just for note "Diggin' My Potatoes" is curiously risque for the 1950s.)
CD1 documents some of the most essential British popular music. "Lost John" is insistent and bluesy and charming in a ram-shackle kind of way. "Bring A Little Water Sylvie" is insistent and energetic and steamrollers its way into your consciousness.
"Cumberland Gap" is breathtaking.
And yeah so its Britain and its the 1950s and so there is a bit of (coughs) music hall. "Putting On The Style" is of its time but not without its charm. Even if the audience show that intrinsic British sense of rhytmn by clapping along in the only way they know how like parents at a pantomime (it's a live recording).
"Does Your Chewing Gum..." quite possibly should be overlooked. It's not wrong maybe it's just so of its time that it's a peice of work to get enthusiastic about.
CD2 contains the well-known My Father Works For Tendered Out Environmental Services. Once again, this does not do much for Merry Terry... but much else on this CD does.
Two over-looked stunners on here is the majestic single "The Comancheroes" which is a stunner and backed by the intoxicating "Rambling Round."
The blistering "Have A Drink On Me" is infectious and irrestistable. Even for Adam Faith fans who must be forgiving.
CD3 is more reflective and some might say patchy. "Where In The World Are We Going?" is quite charming. But the influence is documented on the first 2 discs.
An excellent package and a worthy document to a huge influence and talent.
This is infectious, joyous music with class and soul. If you can forgive the music-hall tendencies in places and I think I can, this is an excellent 3 CD set from one of the most influential figures in British music in the last 50 to 60 years.
Rating: - Can be a hit with the youngsters now - just as it was 50 years ago
My daughter sang 'My old mans a dustman' in the primary school choir and asked for the record (well CD). I bought her this anthology as it seemed incredible value for three CDs (and it is). My daughter (now 14) fell in love with the music and it's been on her CD or MP3 player ever since - she now even rates Lonnie as her favourite pop singer. As a child I loved 'John Henry', 'Rock Island Line', 'Cumberland gap' and 'Does your chewing gum lose it's flavour', and the humorous way many of the tracks are recorded. Although being born in the East End in the late 1950s, I missed nearly all of the rest of these tracks first time around though (at 18 I was into Deep Purple, Hawkwind, The Strawbs and Genesis) - although my mother & father taught me the words 'Skiffle' and 'Washing board' at an early age.
The musical variety of tracks on offer here, all delivered in LD's enthusiastic style, is quite impressive, ranging from his early classics to pretty good cover versions of contemporary songs, e.g. The parties over - although most of his 50s hits were covers as well, and none the worse for that. His use of simple 'instruments' like tea chests, tins, washing boards and a cheap Spanish guitar gave the impression that anyone could do it, and he kicked off the teenage garage bands of the 50s and 60s. He became unfashionable in the 1970s (although he wrote 'I'll never fall in love again' for Tom Jones). However his influence on the pop stars from the 60s onwards meant that he was always well respected in the industry, leading to tribute concerts and recordings later in life. In 2002 he died at 71 while still touring. It could be said his music, combined with the Buddy Holly sound, lead to the Beatles and British domination of popular music in the 1960s and 1970s.
The triple CD set comes in three separate CD cases, each with neat inserts making them look like Lonnie Donegan 45rpm singles (CD3: The party's over, CD2: Does your chewing gum lose it's flavour) and a 78rpm sleeve (CD1: Rock Island Line). There's also a large detailed folded illustrated pamphlet about Lonnie's life and music. This all fits, rather tightly, into a 1950's period cardboard sleeve. It's all very well presented and clearly made by people who care about Lonnie's part in pop music history. So a great selection of Lonnie Donegan tracks, in a nicely presented set, and at a bargain price, plus his music can still be a hit with the youngsters today.
Rating: - They've done him proud
This is an extraordinary collection, showing the full range of Lonnie's work. The insert notes unfold into a poster with notes on every track, which is an excellent idea. Lonnie's influence on the British music scene is hard to overestimate. He inspired the generation that produced the Beatles, The Rolling Stones, et al. After Lonnie, every young man wanted to be in a group. I was 7 years old when Rock Island Line was released, and I was immediately recruited into my brother's skiffle group, where I banged an upturned cookie tin and scraped a washboard. Throughout Britain, thousands of kids were doing the same. It was a cultural phenomenon that would later blossom into the British Invasion. According to Paul McCartney, Lonnie 'was the man'.
What happened was this: Various American folk music traditions - New Orleans jazz, Bluegrass, Blues, Gospel - made their way to Europe in the decades preceding and following World War II. Traditional jazz became extremely popular in Britain. Chris Barber's Jazz Band was perhaps the best. If you are a jazz fan and have not heard them, you should. They are spectacularly good. Lonnie was a member of the band, playing banjo and guitar. He became aware of another tradition, called skiffle. This had originated as 'rent party' music in the southern US, and comprised jazzed-up versions of folk and blues played on improvised instruments. Lonnie played skiffle during intervals at Barber concerts, and found an audience.
After the chart success, on both sides of the Atlantic, of his first single, Rock Island Line, Lonnie and his group gradually separated (on good terms) from the Barber band. They were major stars in Britain until the 60s brought Elvis clones like Adam Faith and then finally the supergroups that Lonnie himself had inspired (Mick Jagger once sang with the Chris Barber band). Sadly, Lonnie never accepted that his time had passed. He released records in whatever style was currently popular and continued touring right up to his death in 2002. Fans see this either as a marvelous testament to his versatility and staying power, or as a sad refusal to accept that his star had faded. In this collection, you can hear his later ballads, like The Party's Over and I'll Never Fall in Love Again. They are remarkably good, as are his ventures into other genres. But there is a sense of desperation about it all.
The early skiffle on this album, a blend of trad jazz and folk, is great. Among the later tracks there are some historical curiosities, like the double track featuring the comedian Max Miller, in which he and Lonnie trade gags. Another rarity is Kevin Barry, which was released only in Ireland. It was too politically sensitive for a British release, being a pro-Republican song.
You have probably gathered by now that this collection is indispensable to anyone interested in the development of 20th century popular music. Don't be wary of an upstart Scot tackling American roots music. He does it full justice. Listen to his version of Leadbelly's Whoa Buck and be amazed.
Rating: - Excited not 'arf
My Dad was in skiffle groups when he was younger so I was brought up on a diet of LD's music amongst others and constantly had to hear, "you like Lonnie who....?" when I was young. Not withstanding you either like it or hate it and he was (still is) the King Of Skiffle if you like it this is for you.
I was lucky enough to see him live a few years ago and this collection does him justice well and truly it has everything - buy this now and you won't be disappointed I promise!!!!
I have listened to this at length and it has rejuvinated my dad, heaven help us if he finds a washboard!!!!!!!!!
- If anybody asks you "Who sung the song?"....Influence is curious currency. And Lonnie Donegan as a performing artist had bags of it.
The Quarrymen became The Beatles and the three chord tricks became British R&B. Whilst skiffle itself was not durable in terms of the public eye it spawned a whole era of music that charts British music history.
Mr Donegan then. Here is probably the most comprehensive and best value compilation of the man's material. There are decent alternatives but this collection of Singles (both A-sides and B-sides) does a good job of covering the man's career from the mid-1950s to the mid-late 1960s.
"Rock Island Line" sounds like it's in the eye of the storm when it gathers pace. Magic but accessible magic. Sounds American but quintessentially British.
(Just for note "Diggin' My Potatoes" is curiously risque for the 1950s.)
CD1 documents some of the most essential British popular music. "Lost John" is insistent and bluesy and charming in a ram-shackle kind of way. "Bring A Little Water Sylvie" is insistent and energetic and steamrollers its way into your consciousness.
"Cumberland Gap" is breathtaking.
And yeah so its Britain and its the 1950s and so there is a bit of (coughs) music hall. "Putting On The Style" is of its time but not without its charm. Even if the audience show that intrinsic British sense of rhytmn by clapping along in the only way they know how like parents at a pantomime (it's a live recording).
"Does Your Chewing Gum..." quite possibly should be overlooked. It's not wrong maybe it's just so of its time that it's a peice of work to get enthusiastic about.
CD2 contains the well-known My Father Works For Tendered Out Environmental Services. Once again, this does not do much for Merry Terry... but much else on this CD does.
Two over-looked stunners on here is the majestic single "The Comancheroes" which is a stunner and backed by the intoxicating "Rambling Round."
The blistering "Have A Drink On Me" is infectious and irrestistable. Even for Adam Faith fans who must be forgiving.
CD3 is more reflective and some might say patchy. "Where In The World Are We Going?" is quite charming. But the influence is documented on the first 2 discs.
An excellent package and a worthy document to a huge influence and talent.
This is infectious, joyous music with class and soul. If you can forgive the music-hall tendencies in places and I think I can, this is an excellent 3 CD set from one of the most influential figures in British music in the last 50 to 60 years.
Rating:
- Can be a hit with the youngsters now - just as it was 50 years agoMy daughter sang 'My old mans a dustman' in the primary school choir and asked for the record (well CD). I bought her this anthology as it seemed incredible value for three CDs (and it is). My daughter (now 14) fell in love with the music and it's been on her CD or MP3 player ever since - she now even rates Lonnie as her favourite pop singer. As a child I loved 'John Henry', 'Rock Island Line', 'Cumberland gap' and 'Does your chewing gum lose it's flavour', and the humorous way many of the tracks are recorded. Although being born in the East End in the late 1950s, I missed nearly all of the rest of these tracks first time around though (at 18 I was into Deep Purple, Hawkwind, The Strawbs and Genesis) - although my mother & father taught me the words 'Skiffle' and 'Washing board' at an early age.
The musical variety of tracks on offer here, all delivered in LD's enthusiastic style, is quite impressive, ranging from his early classics to pretty good cover versions of contemporary songs, e.g. The parties over - although most of his 50s hits were covers as well, and none the worse for that. His use of simple 'instruments' like tea chests, tins, washing boards and a cheap Spanish guitar gave the impression that anyone could do it, and he kicked off the teenage garage bands of the 50s and 60s. He became unfashionable in the 1970s (although he wrote 'I'll never fall in love again' for Tom Jones). However his influence on the pop stars from the 60s onwards meant that he was always well respected in the industry, leading to tribute concerts and recordings later in life. In 2002 he died at 71 while still touring. It could be said his music, combined with the Buddy Holly sound, lead to the Beatles and British domination of popular music in the 1960s and 1970s.
The triple CD set comes in three separate CD cases, each with neat inserts making them look like Lonnie Donegan 45rpm singles (CD3: The party's over, CD2: Does your chewing gum lose it's flavour) and a 78rpm sleeve (CD1: Rock Island Line). There's also a large detailed folded illustrated pamphlet about Lonnie's life and music. This all fits, rather tightly, into a 1950's period cardboard sleeve. It's all very well presented and clearly made by people who care about Lonnie's part in pop music history. So a great selection of Lonnie Donegan tracks, in a nicely presented set, and at a bargain price, plus his music can still be a hit with the youngsters today.
Rating:
- They've done him proudThis is an extraordinary collection, showing the full range of Lonnie's work. The insert notes unfold into a poster with notes on every track, which is an excellent idea. Lonnie's influence on the British music scene is hard to overestimate. He inspired the generation that produced the Beatles, The Rolling Stones, et al. After Lonnie, every young man wanted to be in a group. I was 7 years old when Rock Island Line was released, and I was immediately recruited into my brother's skiffle group, where I banged an upturned cookie tin and scraped a washboard. Throughout Britain, thousands of kids were doing the same. It was a cultural phenomenon that would later blossom into the British Invasion. According to Paul McCartney, Lonnie 'was the man'.
What happened was this: Various American folk music traditions - New Orleans jazz, Bluegrass, Blues, Gospel - made their way to Europe in the decades preceding and following World War II. Traditional jazz became extremely popular in Britain. Chris Barber's Jazz Band was perhaps the best. If you are a jazz fan and have not heard them, you should. They are spectacularly good. Lonnie was a member of the band, playing banjo and guitar. He became aware of another tradition, called skiffle. This had originated as 'rent party' music in the southern US, and comprised jazzed-up versions of folk and blues played on improvised instruments. Lonnie played skiffle during intervals at Barber concerts, and found an audience.
After the chart success, on both sides of the Atlantic, of his first single, Rock Island Line, Lonnie and his group gradually separated (on good terms) from the Barber band. They were major stars in Britain until the 60s brought Elvis clones like Adam Faith and then finally the supergroups that Lonnie himself had inspired (Mick Jagger once sang with the Chris Barber band). Sadly, Lonnie never accepted that his time had passed. He released records in whatever style was currently popular and continued touring right up to his death in 2002. Fans see this either as a marvelous testament to his versatility and staying power, or as a sad refusal to accept that his star had faded. In this collection, you can hear his later ballads, like The Party's Over and I'll Never Fall in Love Again. They are remarkably good, as are his ventures into other genres. But there is a sense of desperation about it all.
The early skiffle on this album, a blend of trad jazz and folk, is great. Among the later tracks there are some historical curiosities, like the double track featuring the comedian Max Miller, in which he and Lonnie trade gags. Another rarity is Kevin Barry, which was released only in Ireland. It was too politically sensitive for a British release, being a pro-Republican song.
You have probably gathered by now that this collection is indispensable to anyone interested in the development of 20th century popular music. Don't be wary of an upstart Scot tackling American roots music. He does it full justice. Listen to his version of Leadbelly's Whoa Buck and be amazed.
Rating:
- Excited not 'arfMy Dad was in skiffle groups when he was younger so I was brought up on a diet of LD's music amongst others and constantly had to hear, "you like Lonnie who....?" when I was young. Not withstanding you either like it or hate it and he was (still is) the King Of Skiffle if you like it this is for you.
I was lucky enough to see him live a few years ago and this collection does him justice well and truly it has everything - buy this now and you won't be disappointed I promise!!!!
I have listened to this at length and it has rejuvinated my dad, heaven help us if he finds a washboard!!!!!!!!!