Bear Family Records has added another entry to their long-running That’ll Flat Git It! series of compact disc compilations. The focus of this album is Rockabilly and Rock ‘n’ Roll from the vaults of Starday Records. Containing an astonishing 34 tracks, is this album worth picking up?

Starday Records was originally founded by Jack Starns Jr and Harold ‘Pappy’ Daily in 1953, originally focused on producing Country music. After a short while, Don Pierce joined, and Starns left. When Rockabilly became mainstream in the mid-50s, this label began experimenting.

My Thoughts on this Release

I have reviewed many entries in this series, but I got excited when I saw that this one was to focus on the vaults of Starday Records. I’m an occasional guitarist, and Benny Barnes’ “You Gotta Pay” is a regular song I jam to. It’s a perfect example of a catchy song with memorable instrumental sections. I’ve seen the Starday label featured many a time during my music education, and have been intrigued to find more. Thanks to this series, I get that opportunity!

The album begins with Link Davis’ Trucker from Tennessee, an uptempo number from 1956. Davis, already a veteran when he recorded both of the tracks on this album, is an example of how Rockabilly wasn’t just being tried by the young.

For those in the know, there are a few known names here whom it is a pleasure to hear in these rockin’ surroundings. Who can resist Sonny Fisher’s “Rockin’ Daddy”, Sleepy LeBeef, George Jones (under the alias Thumper Jones) or Rudy ‘Tutti’ Grayzell? They sit nicely alongside the more obscure offerings, which are here aplenty! The musicianship can’t be faulted; it’s clear that some fine Country pickers were used here.

The template for much of this music is very similar to the recordings being made at Sun Records at this point, but I believe there is a difference. Maybe it’s just this listener, but I feel a bigger rush of adrenaline at these recordings, heavier in some instances. George Jones’ “Rock It” features a piercing vocal that I wouldn’t normally expect from the vocalist, backed by heavy instrumentation.

There are moments where I could feel a stronger sense of the Country undercurrent running through it, especially towards the end of the album. As an overall experience, I found it an interesting snapshot of the label at a moment of change in music. This reviewer’s personal highlights include Frankie Miller’s “True Blue”, Link Davis’ “Grasshopper Rock”, Rocking Martin’s “Because of You”, and Tommy Castle’s “I’ve Done Accidentally”.

The album ends on Jack Kingston’s “Go Away”, a catchy number with a guitar, fiddle and nice harmonising. It feels a long way from the first track, because the tracklisting is so huge, a result in part to the short length of each recording.

A Little Something Extra…

The CD comes housed in a digipak, with an attached 34-page booklet inside. Like other entries, it features liner notes by Bill Dahl, who does a great job of providing context for the music. Each artist is covered in enough detail, alongside rare photographs and record label scans.

Conclusion

This is a great selection of tunes from the Rockabilly era of Starday Records. It’s interesting to hear figures with a background in the Country world try their hand, mostly with a high level of success. These recordings didn’t exactly set the world alight, but they are a fine example of the genre. If you’re interested in the history of Rockabilly or Rock ‘n’ Roll, this is an essential release to brush up on the more obscure attempts. That’ll Flat Git It Vol 48 is available to order from Bear Family Records

Track Listing

Link Davis Trucker From Tennesse
Bill Mack Fat Woman
Rock Rogers Little Rock Rock
Glenn Barber Shadow My Baby
Bob Doss Don’t Be Gone Long
Sonny Fisher Rockin’ Daddy
Cliff Blakley – Want to Be With You
Rudy ‘Tutti’ Grayzell Let’s Get Wild
Rocky Bill Ford Mad Dog in Town
Cecil Bowman and The Arrows Blues Around My Door
Truitt Forse Chicken Bop
Thumper Jones Rock It
Frankie Miller True Blue
Fuzzy Whitener with Jerry Dykes and His Band Sugar Buggar
The Raindrops I Don’t Want a Sweetheart
Sonny Fisher Pink and Black
Benny Barnes with The Echoes You Gotta Pay
Lou Walker Little Bitty Man
Link Davis Grasshopper Rock
Hal Harris Jitterbop Baby
The Davis Twins with Sleepy Jeffers Pretending is a Game
Rudy Gaddis Uranium Fever
Rocking Martin All Because of You
Fred Crawford Rock Candy Rock
Bill Mack Cat Just Got in Town
Utah Carl Sometime
Leon Payne Sweet Sweet Love
Sleepy LaBeff All Alone
Sonny Fisher I Can’t Lose
Sonny Burns A Real Cool Cat
Tommy Castle I’ve Done More Accidentally
Ray and Lindy Hey Doll Baby
Phil Sullivan You Get a Thrill
Jack Kingston Go Away (And Leave Me)