This 2-CD set from Rhino, released in 1992 and still available, is somewhat mis-named. It contains 51 tracks, not 50, and 9 of these are not by the Coasters, but by their precursor group, the Robins.
In addition, it contains 3 previously-unreleased Coasters cuts - unreleased items qualify as "classics??? Curiosities perhaps, but to be a "classic" one would think that a recording should be well-known, not something that was kept "in the can" for over 20 years.
Despite these criticisms, this is an exceptional package. It traces the development of the group from the time of its spin-off from the Robins through their high point in the late 1950s to their decline in the 1960s. The 52-page booklet that is enclosed with the 2 CDs gives the group's story and fairly-detailed track info. If you couple this package with The Coasters - One By One, you get a very good perspective on the talent of this group.
Though known as The Clown Princes of Rock 'N' Roll for their many humorous hits, the Coasters could also handle "pop" standards in a unique "Coasters" fashion. Four titles in this collection illustrate "Coasters-spun standards:" Brazil, Sweet Georgia Brown, Zing! Went The Strings of My Heart, and Besame Mucho.
Dates shown below are recording dates.
A worthwhile acquisition.
Disc 1:
1. Riot In Cell Block #9 - Robins (Spark #103) - 1954
2. Wrap It Up - Robins (Spark #103) - 1954
3. Framed - Robins (Spark #107) - 1954
4. Whadaya Want - Robins (Spark #110) - 28 Sep 19554
5. One Kiss - Robins (Spark #113) - 1954
6. I Must Be Dreamin - Robins (Spark #116) - 1955
7. The Hatchet Man - Robins (Spark #116) - 1954
8. Just Like A Fool - Robins (Spark #122/Atco #6059) - 1955
9. Smokey Joe's Cafe - Robins (Spark #122/Atco #6059) - 1955
10. Turtle Dovin - Coasters (Atco #6064) 11 Jan 1956
11. Down In Mexico - Coasters (Atco #6064) 11 Jan 1956
12. One Kiss Led To Another - Coasters (Atco #6073) 11 Jan 1956
13. Brazil - Coasters (Atco #6073) 11 Jan 1956
14. Searchin' - Coasters (Atco #6087) 15 Feb 1957
15. Young Blood - Coasters (Atco #6087) 15 Feb 1957
16. Idol With The Golden Head - Coasters (Atco #6098) 24 Jul 1957
17. (When She Wants Good Lovin') My Baby Comes To Me - Coasters (Atco #6098) 24 Jul 1957
18. What Is The Secret Of Your Success? - Coasters (Atco #6104) 24 Jul 1957
19. Sweet Georgia Brown - Coasters (Atco #6104) 15 Feb 1957
20. Yakety Yak - Coasters (Atco #6116) 17 Mar 1958
21. Zing! Went The Strings Of My Heart - Coasters (Atco #6116) 17 Mar 1958
22. The Shadow Knows - Coasters (Atco #6126) 8 Aug 1958
23. Sorry But I'm Gonna Have To Pass - Coasters (Atco #6126) 8 Aug 1958
24. Hey Sexy - Coasters (unreleaed) 11 Dec 1958
25. Charlie Brown - Coasters (Atco #6132) 11 Dec 1958
26. Three Cool Cats - Coasters (Atco #6132) 17 Mar 1958
Disc 2:
1. Along Came Jones - Coasters (Atco #6141) 26 Mar 1959
2. That Is Rock & Roll - Coasters (Atco #6141) 26 Mar 1959
3. I'm A Hog For You - Coasters (Atco #6146) 17 Jul 1959
4. Poison Ivy - Coasters (Atco #6146) 16 Jul 1959
5. What About Us - Coasters (Atco #6153) 16 Jul 1959
6. Run Red Run - Coasters (Atco #6153) 23 Jul 1959
7. Besame Mucho (Part I) - Coasters (Atco #6163) 26 Feb 1960
8. Stewball - Coasters (Atco #6168) 17 Mar 1958
9. Wake Me, Shake Me - Coasters (Atco #6168) 26 Feb 1960
10. Shoppin' For Clothes - Coasters (Atco #6178) 29 Jul 1960
11. Thumbin' A Ride - Coasters (Atco #6186) 29 Jul 1960
12. Wait A Minute - Coasters (Atco #6186) 4 Dec 1957
13. Little Egypt (Ying-Yang) - Coasters (Atco #6192) 9 Feb 1961
14. Keep On Rolling - Coasters (Atco #6192) 9 Feb 1961
15. Girls Girls Girls (Part II) - Coasters (Atco #6204) 9 Feb 1961
16. Bad Blood - Coasters (Atco #6210) 25 Sep 1961
17. (Ain't That) Just Like Me - Coasters (Atco #6210) 25 Sep 1961
18. Teach Me How to Shimmy - Coasters (Atco #6219) 10 Apr 1961
19. The Slime* - Coasters (unreleased) 31 Jul 1962
20. Bad Detective - Coasters (Atco #6300) 17 Dec 1963
21. Hongry - Coasters (Atco #6341) 10 Apr 1961
22. Soul Pad - Coasters (Date #1552) 18 Nov 1966
23. Down Home Girl - Coasters (Date #1552) 18 Nov 1966
24. D. W. Washburn - Coasters (Date #1617) 31 Oct 1967
25. Shake 'Em Up And Let 'Em Roll - Jerry Leiber with the Coasters (unreleased) 13 Feb 1968
* Revised version released as "The Climb" (Atco # 6234).
