A 1994 release on the Schoolkids' label, this CD is NOT really all "Bill Haley & the Comets" - several of these tracks were originally released as by Bill Haley and the Saddlemen, and most of the balance were released as by Bill Haley & HALEY'S Comets [Hit me in the face with the pun, why don't you?], mainly on the Holiday and Essex labels.
Though Haley was born in Michigan, he was raised in Chester, Pennsylvania. In 1948, Haley formed a band called The Four Aces of Western Swing, which made some recordings on the Cowboy label. In mid-1949, the Aces broke up, and Haley formed the Saddlemen. They were originally an "urban cowboy" band, playing various venues in the greater Philadelphia area. It is most likely that the only "range" any of the Saddlemen had ever seen was in a kitchen. In 1950, the group cut a couple of sides for the Keystone label, which are not on this CD.
Then, in mid-1951, Haley and the Saddlemen began recording for Dave Miller, owner of the Holiday and Essex labels, where they remained until 1954, by which time they had become Haley's Comets and signed with Decca. The recordings on this CD cover the Holiday/Essex period and are complete, except for 4 sides (2 with Loretta Glendenning and 2 Christmas songs). The songs on this CD, all recorded between 1951 and 1953, though a few were released later, document the group's transition from "urban cowboy" to nascent rock 'n' roll.
The very first release Rocket 88 / Tearstains On My Heart illustrates the band's approach - one side a "cover" of a Jackie Brenston R&B rocker, the flip a hillbilly "whiner."
A few of these tracks are also featured on the Rare Vocal Groups video, which is also reviewed on this Web site.
Recommended if you can find it, as it illustrates the early development of "white" rock 'n' roll.
Track listing:
1. Rocket '88 - (Holiday #105) Jul 1951
2. Tearstains On My Heart - (Holiday #105) Jul 1951
3. Green Tree Boogie - (Holiday #108) Aug 1951
4. Jukebox Cannonball - (Holiday #113) Feb 1952
5. Sundown Boogie - (Holiday #113) Feb 1952
6. Icy Heart - (Essex #303) Apr 1952
7. Rock The Joint - (Essex #303) Apr 1952
8. Dance With A Dolly (With A Hole In Her Stocking) - (Essex #305) Aug 1952
9. Rockin' Chair On The Moon - (Essex #305) Aug 1952
10. Stop Beatin' Round The Mulberry Bush - (Essex #310) Nov 1952
11. Real Rock Drive - (Essex #310) Nov 1952
12. Crazy, Man, Crazy - (Essex #321) Apr 1953
13. What'cha Gonna Do? - (Essex #321) Apr 1953
14. Pat-A-Cake - (Essex #327) Jul 1953
15. Fractured - (Essex #327) Jul 1953
16. Live It Up - (Essex #332) Oct 1953
17. Farewell, So Long, Goodbye - (Essex #332) Oct 1953
18. I'll Be True - (Essex #340) Dec 1953
19. Ten Little Indians - (Essex #340) Dec 1953
20. Chattanooga Choo Choo - (Essex #348) Mar 1954
21. Straight Jacket - (Essex #348) Mar 1954
22. Yes Indeed! - (Transworld #718) 1954
23. Yes Indeed! (alternate take - recorded 1953) - (London #HL 8371) - Jan 1957
24. Down Deep In My Heart - (Holiday #108) Aug 1951
