The Champs had a huge hit with
"Tequila" in 1958 and its raw, loose barroom saxophone riff has kept it a radio,
soundtrack, and drinking contest staple ever since. The tune itself was originally a B-side backing the single
"Train to Nowhere," and both tracks were recorded by studio musicians for
Gene Autry's then-brand new
Challenge Records.
"Tequila" was the breakout hit, though, and
the Champs, at least as a touring group, were born.
Go Champs Go is a facsimile CD of their first LP for
Challenge from 1958, and it includes both sides of that initial single, as well as a couple of vocal tracks and several attempts to re-create the success of
"Tequila" by incorporating loose
Latin rhythms in an
instrumental R&B setting.
Ace has packaged this album together with 1959's
Everybody's Rockin' With the Champs (also originally released on
Challenge) as a single-disc two-fer, and from a bang for the buck perspective, it makes more sense to go that route, although collectors may prefer to pick up this facsimile version for the sake of completeness. ~ Steve Leggett
