With The Golden Age Of Rock’n’Roll, Ace Records had a simple aim – to assemble the best series of US Hot 100 hits (from 1954 -1963, pre UK invasion) ever in catalogue.

The first 3 volumes have all been highly successful and acclaimed and Volume 4 continues the absurdly high standards established so far with an excellent selection of tracks, in stunningly good sound quality, a generous playing time (30 tracks) and extensive, fascinating sleevenotes from Rob Finnis (with many vintage illustrations).

The original source labels include (among others) Jamie, Legrand, Savoy, End, Gee, Josie, Okeh, Gone and Dore (collectively a record collector’s dream goldmine). A fan currently trying to buy original singles of all the tracks in this series would need a very hefty overdraft, perhaps even a second mortgage. Among the gems on Volume 4 are Gary U.S. Bonds’ New Orleans, a big hit that charted at No 6 in the US and No 16 in the UK, Sal Mineo’s Start Movin’ (In My Direction), which reached No 9 US and No 16 UK and Buddy Knox’s classic Party Doll, No I US, No 29 UK. You’ll Lose A Good Thing by Barbara Lynn reached No 8 in the US in 1962 and has remained one of the great New Orleans soul sides though Barbara was originally from Beaumont, Texas. (The guitarist on the song, by the way, is Mac Rebennack, a.k.a. Dr John). The Regents’ Barbara-Ann was recorded in ten minutes at the end of a 1959 session, as a throwaway number. Two years later it was issued and soared into the Top 20. Like much of the best rock’n’roll, it was recorded quickly and under adverse conditions, but the freshness of the performance, the spontaneity of the recording and the lack of guile, all help sustain the immediacy of the song across the years. The ’50s – pre 1963 were a ’golden age of rock’n’roll’ and this CD unashamedly celebrates that.