“What a stellar release... a perfect addition
to the EMI 4CD set... this 2CD digipack from Castle is nigh perfect. Over
the decades we have been most fortunate to benefit from the dogged and
dedicated research by Rockstar's Tony Barrett and this set compiled by
the Duke of Rockstar himself and Sam Szczepanski
is a stunning tribute to the young geetar slinger from Albert Lea.
The marvellous packaging itself is reason enough for purchasing, the
cover artwork has that great colour outdoor shot of the be-denimed Gretsch
god and the title is most apt.
It's almost a best of Rockstar (yes, we could all pick slightly different
tracks but the playing order is great) there are 50 tracks, 48 musical
and two interviews with a hidden bonus live cut of 'C'mon Everybody' from
Boy Meets Girls at the end. The photos/label shots etc are really well
chosen and this large digi double CD size gives better justice to one
of the most photogenic of them all rather than those cramped single CD
booklets which make one pine for London/Liberty/Rockstar LPs.
The musical content shows all the different aspects of the multi talented
Californian 'Citizen Gretsch', session man, country and proto rockabilly
duo, studio experimenter, instrumentalist, fame seeking teenager, established
million seller, consummate live performer, wonderful TV star and articulate
interviewee. All in great sound quality or historically interesting enough
to warrant inclusion.
The waters in the Cochran well will run dry eventually but Tony B. has
given us one hell of a rocket ride along the way. The icing on the cake
has to be the lavishly and luxuriously illustrated 34 page booklet annotated
in superlative style by the ever reliable Stu Colman, absolutely spot
on, informative and educational to read.
Thanks to all concerned with this project on behalf of Cochran fans across
the world, I hope it garners the sales it deserves. I've probably worn
out my copy from endless repeat play. Stuff yer downloads - a package
like this is always most welcome, the reissue of the year, any year, sod
the Brit Awards this really is somethin' else.”
Phil Davies, www.eddiecochran.info
“Elvis may have been the ultimate voice of rock'n'roll but
Eddie Cochran wrote some of the most iconic songs. Guitar Picker charts
his career from hillbilly origins as one half of the Cochran Brothers
through to his first solo rocker, 'Skinny Jim', for Crest Records, while
taking in other artists' recordings on which he played guitar, up until
he signed with Liberty for his hit-making period. In addition, there's
an excerpt from a 1957 interview plus several recordings from British
radio and TV programmes such as Saturday Club and Boy Meets Girls.”
Record Collector
“Far from being the usual hits package, this well-executed
two-disc set - complete with 30-page booklet pulls together rare recordings
from Eddie's time in the Cochran Brothers alongside session work, radio
and live recordings.”
HMV Choice