These two 1993 CDs from the TVT label are part of a series of CDs
containing live performances from television's fabled Ed Sullivan
Show (also known during its early years as The Toast Of The
Town). During his 23 years on the air (1948 - 1971), Sullivan, originally a New York Daily News columnist (his column gave the show its original name - IT was the original "Toast") covering the Broadway beat, hosted practically every kind of entertainment imaginable - acrobats, animal acts, magicians, puppets, comedians, variety acts which defy classification, and, of course, vocalists and musicians covering the entire spectrum of popular music.
He was savvy enough to book acts that would appeal to every member of the family, from grandparents down to their pre-teen grandchildren. The other CDs in the series were of no particular interest to me, featuring jazz singers and musicians, "British invasion" musical acts of the mid-1960s, etc., but these two CDs bring back - "live, and in their prime" - the artists we listened to during the late 50s and early 60s.
Late in 1955, Sullivan was also sharp enough to acquire the services of Tommy Smalls, New York's WWRL radio's famous "Dr. Jive," to book "negro" acts into a show-within-a-show called Dr. Jive's Rhythm & Blues Review at a time when most of television was "plain vanilla." Sullivan's booking of blacks incurred the ire of some sponsors and some network affiliates in the south, but he prevailed and gave us many historic performances.
If you can find either or both of these CDs, don't pass them by. Their live television performances are perfect partners to the Alan Freed CDs with live performances from his radio shows of the same era.
My sole criticism - these CDs only last between 32 and 36 minutes, they should have been longer.
Actual (day and month) or approximate (month or just year) performance dates are indicated below.
ROCK 'N' ROLL PIONEERS (TVT #9446):
RHYTHM & BLUES REVUE (TVT #9447):
1. (We're Gonna) Rock Around The Clock - Bill Haley & His Comets (7 Aug 1955)
2. Forty Cups Of Coffee - Bill Haley & His Comets (Apr 1957)
3. Rudy's Rock - Bill Haley & His Comets (Apr 1957)
4. It's All In The Game - Tommy Edwards (Oct 1958)
5. Blueberry Hill - Fats Domino (1956)
6. Tequila - The Champs (20 Apr 1958)
7. Kisses Sweeter Than Wine - Jimmie Rodgers (Dec 1957)
8. Honeycomb - Jimmie Rodgers (Dec 1957)
9. (You've Got) Personality - Lloyd Price (28 Jun 1959)
10. Medley: The Twist / Let's Twist Again - Chubby Checker (22 Oct 1961)
11. That'll Be The Day - Buddy Holly & The Crickets (1957)
12. Oh Boy - Buddy Holly & The Crickets (1958)
13. Peggy Sue - Buddy Holly & The Crickets (1958)
14. Black Slacks - Joe Bennett & The Sparkletones (1957)
15. Dance To The Bop - Gene Vincent & His Bluecaps (1958)
16. Goody Goody - Frankie Lymon & The Teenagers (1957)
17. Medley: Great Balls Of Fire / What'd I Say / Whole Lotta Shakin' - Jerry Lee Lewis (1969)
1. Lonely Teardrops - Jackie Wilson (27 May 1962)
2. That's Why - Jackie Wilson (21 Jan 1962)
3. The Greatest Hurt - Jackie Wilson (21 Jan 1962)
4. I'm Coming Back To You - Jackie Wilson (28 May 1961)
5. Caldonia - Louis Jordan & His Tympany Five (29 Dec 1957)
6. Peace Of Mind - Louis Jordan & His Tympany Five (29 Dec 1957)
7. It's Just A Matter Of Time - Brook Benton (12 Apr 1959)
8. Bo Diddley - Bo Diddley (20 Nov 1955)
9. Tweedlee Dee - LaVern Baker (20 Nov 1955)
10. Only You (And You Alone) - Platters (8 Dec 1957)
11. Dance With Me Henry - Platters (2 Aug 1959)
12. Remember When - Platters (2 Aug 1959)
13. Medley: How Blue Can You Get / The Thrill Is Gone - B.B. King (18 Oct 1970)
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