Cruisin' 1957

by Cruisin 1957 / Various

Overview

The predecessors of hip-hop MCs or just thwarted rock & rollers with giddy natures? Early rock & roll DJs -- heirs to the trailblazing, early-'50s R&B and blues DJs in Memphis and Nashville -- could make a small claim to both labels. To millions of '50s teens, at least, they offered salvation from a increasingly staid world of modern kitchen appliances and sock hops. Culminating with the nationwide fame of Alan Freed and given a major blow by his subsequent indictment during the payola scandal, early DJ culture produced a wealth of fast talking and often goofy radio personalities who introduced the country to Elvis, Chuck Berry, and Little Richard. For listeners equally enthralled by both the vintage DJs in-between-song patter and the music of the era, Increase Records has put together several volumes spotlighting major-market DJs on the air from 1955-1970. This third installment, Cruisin' 1957, features WIBG's Joe Niagara from Philadelphia. He's half hipster, half car salesman, mixing praise for Berry's "School Days" with spots pushing Muntz-brand TV's. All the cuts are classics: the Coasters' "Searchin'," Larry Williams' "Bony Maronie," the Spaniels' "Goodnight Sweetheart," Jimmie Rodgers' "Honeycomb," and Bill Justis' "Raunchy." Sure, some of the music suffers from overexposure or sounds a bit too kitschy for its own good, but with Joe Niagara making it all seem so dramatic and fun with his jingles, station I.D.s, and sundry car ads, who's taking notes? ~ Stephen Cook

Product Details

Release Date:	03/31/1993
Label:	Increase Records
UPC:	0015668195722
Rank:	111283

Tracks

1. Susie Q  - Eleanor Broadwater  - Dale Hawkins  - Stan Lewis
2. Happy, Happy Birthday Baby  -  Tune Weavers
3. School Days  - Chuck Berry
4. Goodnight, Sweetheart, Goodnight  - Calvin Carter  - James Hudson  -  Spaniels
5. Little Darlin'  -  Diamonds  - M. Williams  - Maurice Williams
6. Over the Mountain, Across the Sea  -  Johnnie & Joe
7. Bony Moronie  - Larry Williams
8. To the Aisle  -  Five Satins  - Billy Smith  - Stuart Wiener
9. Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On  - Sunny David  - Jerry Lee Lewis  - Dave Williams
10. Long Lonely Night  -  Andrews

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Jerry Lee Lewis   Primary Artist
The Spaniels   Primary Artist
Dale Hawkins   Primary Artist
Lee Andrews & the Hearts   Primary Artist
Johnnie & Joe   Primary Artist
The Five Satins   Primary Artist
The Tune Weavers   Primary Artist
Larry Williams   Primary Artist
Chuck Berry   Primary Artist
The Diamonds   Primary Artist

Technical Credits

James Hudson   Composer
Larry Williams   Composer,Performer
Lee Andrews   Performer
Lee Andrews & the Hearts   Performer
Jerry Lee Lewis   Performer
Billy Smith   Composer
Dave Williams   Composer
The Tune Weavers   Performer
Calvin Carter   Composer
Dale Hawkins   Composer,Performer
Stan Lewis   Composer
M. Williams   Composer
The Diamonds   Performer
Chuck Berry   Performer,Composer
Maurice Williams   Composer
The Spaniels   Performer
Eleanor Broadwater   Composer
Jerry Hopkins   Liner Notes
Stuart Wiener   Composer
Johnnie & Joe   Performer
The Five Satins   Performer
Sunny David   Composer