These two LPs of country/rockabilly, released in 1980 & 1981, are from the MGM label, not exactly well-known for rock 'n' roll - unless you count Connie Francis as a rock 'n' roller (and they did have some good rock 'n' roll on their Cub subsidiary), but renowned as the recording home of the likes of Hank Williams, Sr. Thanks to Polydor in England for releasing these; Polygram USA, the American owner of the MGM catalog, would most likely never put out collections of so many obscure tracks.
In my opinion, many of the tracks on these 2 LPs are more properly "hillbilly" than "rockabilly," but then this distinction has never been an exact science, and you may decide otherwise. But Conway Twitty's "Long Black Train" has a definite "Elvis" feel to it, and there are many other cuts of merit in the collection.
British rock 'n roll historian Bill Millar contributes some good liner notes, and, like so many European LPs these are 20 tracks each, not a dozen or less which was the U.S. standard.
I don't know if these were ever reissued on CDs, so you may have to settle for good ol' vinyl, if you can find 'em at all.
Vol. 1
Side 1
1. Rockin' Rollin' Stone - Andy Starr (MGM #12263) Apr 1956
2. I Want-a go South - Andy Starr (MGM #12263) Apr 1956
3. She's A Going Jessie - Andy Starr (MGM #12315) Apr 1956
4. Old Deacon Jones - Andy Starr (MGM #12315) Apr 1956
5. Mr. Blues - Marvin Rainwater (MGM #12240) 1956
6. Rock and Roll Fever - Cecil Campbell & his Tennessee Ramblers (MGM #12482) 1957
7. Give Me A Woman - Andy Starr (MGM #1264) Sep 1956
8. Round And Round - Andy Starr (MGM #12364) Sep 1956
9. No Room For Your Kind - Andy Starr (MGM #12421) Sep 1956
10. One More Time - Andy Starr (MGM #12421) Sep 1956
Side 2
1. Stutterin' Papa - Buck Griffin (MGM #12284) May 1956
2. Watchin' The 7-10 Roll By - Buck Griffin (MGM #12284) May 1956
3. Bow My Back - Buck Griffin (MGM #12439) 6 Jul 1956
4. My Brand Of Blues - Marvin Rainwater (MGM #12511) 18 May 1957
5. Dixieland Rock - Cecil Campbell (MGM 12245) Apr 1956
6. My Square Dancin' Mama (She Learned To Rock 'N' Roll) - Bob Gallion (MGM #12195) 2 Feb 1956
7. Rockin' And Rollin' With Grandmaw - Carson Robinson (MGM #12266) 16 Apr 1956
8. Old Bee Tree - Buck Griffin (MGM #12439) 6 Jul 1956
9. You'll Never Come Back - Buck Griffin (MGM #12597) May 1956
10. Jessie Lee - Buck Griffin (MGM #12597) 7 Jul 1956
Vol. 2
Side 1
1. Long Black Train - Conway Twitty (MGM #14274)
2. Gamblin' Man - Marvin Rainwater (MGM LP #3721)
3. Drive In Movie - Ron Hargrave (Cub #9025)
4. Baby Love Me - Bob Gallion (MGM #12628)
5. Hot 'N' Cold - Marvin Rainwater (MGM #12240)
6. Country Cattin' - Jimmy Swan (MGM #12348)
7. Rock Doll - Bernie Early (MGM #12640)
8. I Dig You Baby - Marvin Rainwater (MGM #12665)
9. Travelin' Blues Boy - Gary Williams (Verve #10083)
10. Midnight Line - Bob Riley (MGM #12612)
Side 2
1. Long Gone Lonesome Blues - Jimmie Newsome (MGM #55005)
2. She's Gone - Marvin Rainwater (MGM #12891)
3. Latch On - Ron Hargrave (MGM # 12422)
4. The Rockin' Guitar - Cecil Campbell (MGM #12482)
5. Dance Me Daddy - Marvin Rainwater (MGM LP #3721)
6. I Ain't A Studyin' You Baby - DonGibson (MGM #12494)
7. Who Shot Willie? - Arthur Smith (MGM #10991)
8. Why Did You Have To Leave Me? - Marvin Rainwater (MGM #12313)
9. Rootie Tootie - Berry Kids (MGM #12496)
10. Rollin' The Boogie - Dick Hyman (MGM #12258)
