In this written review, Jane Grandle takes a listen to the start of a new compilation series from Germany’s Bear Family Records.
A sweet compilation of rockabilly and rock and roll songs themed around love and heartache, Rock-A-Ballads: Flipside Dreams and Loving Schemes, Vol. 1 boasts a few stand-out tracks amongst the 32 tracks, which together make for a pleasant listening experience. Tracy Pendarvis and The Swampers’ A Thousand Guitars has a pleasing tempo and rolling guitar backing with energy but also restraint.
Patsy Cline’s Walking After Midnight is a stand-out and does serious heavy-lifting regardless of its company on any compilation. Similarly, Ritchie Valens proves the talent that was sadly lost all too soon, with his emotionally delivered We Belong Together.
Ricky Nelson’s sweet Poor Little Fool showcases what the then-teen star could do, delivering the bouncy little song with restrained heart. His style here is an almost bashful boyishness which is very compelling.
If this is the beginning of a new series for Bear Family Records, I look forward to Volume 2.
Rock-A-Ballads: Flipside Dreams and Loving Schemes, Vol. 1 is available to order from Bear Family Records.
