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DVDfever.co.uk – Nowhere Boy OST: Various Artists CD reviewElly Roberts reviews
Sony Music
- Released: December 2009
- Rating: 8/10
- Tracks: 33, including Mr. Sandman (Dickie Valentine) Hard Headed Woman (Wanda Jackson) Twenty Flight Rock (Eddie Cochran) Be-Bop A-Lula (Gene Vincent) Stagger Lee (Lloyd Price)
- Vote and comment on this album:View Comments
Popping out to the flicks around now? Why not try the biopic about a teenage legend John Lennon. Nowhere Boy was released on Boxing Day.
Judging a soundtrack is almost impossible without hearing it in the context of the film.
Songs on this Sony Music 2 CD set is used to carry the story of the new biopic film about John Lennons teenage years (1953-1958 and slightly beyond) which lead to the formation of his skiffle band the Quarrymen (formed March 1957) through to his relationship with Paul MCartney on July 6 1957 and on to when The Beatles first set off for Hamburg.
CD 1 mixes original recordings from artists that we assume had a baring on Lennons career, but Im sure some are open to conjecture rather than based on fact. Certainly some would have surrounded Lennon at the time the mid 50s.
The big hitters like Jerry Lee Lewis (Wild One), Elvis Shake Rattle and Roll, Baby Lets Play House) , Little Richard (Rip It Up) and Chuck Berry get star inclusion, despite any of these songs making the UK charts. Of the 33 tracks, as far as the named artists are concerned, 14 never made the UK charts, but succeed in creating the electric atmosphere the songs will undoubtedly generate in the context of the story. Again, as many may not have been heard on UK radio during the period, its uncertain as to whether a young Lennon would have heard them at all.
The ones he would definitely have known were Bill Haleys Rock Around The Clock (#1 /1955), Buddy Hollys Uk debut single which peaked at 6 ,Peggy Sue (1957), Frankie Vaughans These Dangerous Years (1957) and Fats Dominos Aint That A Shame , a hit both sided of the Atlantic in 1955 (US) and 1957(UK).
Some of the lesser known names like Big Mama Thornton who originally recorded Hound Dog in 1952 (before Elvis got his hands on it) gives a storming performance. Other delights include Buddy Knoxs rockabilly hit Party Doll (UK#29 / 1957) Dale Hawkins swamp rocker Suzie- Q featuring some blistering guitar solos.
And, no rocknroll film would be complete without Rocket 88, considered to be the very first rocknroll song ever, here credited to Jackie Breston & His Delta Cats, though Ike Turner probably had more to do with it.
The verdict Keep on jiving.
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Elly Roberts passed away in 2011, but he was a man who was so passionate about all types of music and loved meeting his musical heroes, such as Mick Hucknall at a book signing at the Trafford Centre, Manchester in 2007.
A former teacher and also a music journalist, DJ and radio presenter on local community station Calon FM, plus appearances on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru and BBC Radio 2, Elly started doing reviews for DVDfever.co.uk in 2004 and he did the majority of the CD and concerts reviews on the website.
I know also that he loved getting away for the summer to Spain and I hope that wherever he is now he is enjoying the hot sunshine and, as one of his friends has said on his Facebook page, that he is interviewing his musical heroes.