Various Artists - Sam Phillips: The Man Who Invented Rock 'n' Roll

Triple LP set plus album download that includes 10 bonus tracks

Lavish 2015 collection of 55 original rock'n'roll / Blues classics spanning 1950-1961

"Sun Records and Sam Phillips himself created the most crucial, uplifting and powerful records ever made." — Bob Dylan

The new anthology is here: Sam Phillips: The Man Who Invented Rock 'n' Roll, a companion to Peter Guralnick's forthcoming biography of the same name, and a personal, idiosyncratic survey of one of the most important bodies of work in recording history. The 3LP set features songs hand-selected by Guralnick, who also wrote an exclusive track-by-track essay for the release. Mostly spanning the years 1950-1961, the set shines a light on Phillips' unique approach to recording, his cosmic genius, and revolutionary role in the evolution of blues, country, R&B, gospel and the birth of rock 'n' roll.

Sam Phillips was not just one of the most important record producers in rock history, but a leading contributor to 20th century American culture.  As owner of Sun Records and frequent producer of discs at his Memphis-based Sun Studios he was vital to launching the careers of Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, B.B. King, Howlin' Wolf, Rufus Thomas and numerous other significant artists.

Featuring big hits, near misses, and never-even-close tracks by Elvis Presley, Howlin' Wolf, Johnny Cash, B.B. King, Jerry Lee Lewis, Charlie Rich, Carl Perkins, Roy Orbison, and scores of other singular artists, Sam Phillips delivers, in his own words, "individualism in the extreme."

"Sam believed most of all in perfect imperfection," Guralnick writes, adding "every track on this collection celebrates, whether intentionally or not, the diversity and beauty and rawness, the grandness and intimacy and comic and tragic drama of the human experience."

Side 1

Jerry Lee Lewis Hello Hello Baby

Howlin’ Wolf Moanin’ at Midnight

The Prisonaires Just Walkin’ in the Rain

Howlin’ Wolf How Many More Years

Jackie Brenston and His Delta Cats (Ike Turner) Rocket 88

The Jones Brothers Every Night

Howard Seratt Troublesome Waters

Side 2

Jimmy and Walter Easy

Willie Nix Lonesome Bedroom

Johnny Cash Big River

Doctor Ross The Boogie Disease

Elvis Presley Baby Let’s Play House

Roy Orbison Ooby Dooby

Little Junior’s Blue Flames Love My Baby

Carl Perkins Matchbox

Side 3

Billy Riley Flyin’ Saucers Rock & Roll

Jerry Lee Lewis Whole Lotta Shakin’ Going On

B.B. King She’s Dynamite

Howlin’ Wolf Mr. Highway Man (Cadillac Daddy)

Joe Hill Louis Dorothy Mae

Charlie Rich Who Will the Next Fool Be?

Elvis Presley Mystery Train

John Prine How Lucky

Side 4

Little Junior’s Blue Flames Feelin’ Good

Jerry Lee Lewis You’re the Only Star in My Blue Heaven

Carl Perkins Turn Around

Jimmy DeBerry Time Has Made a Change

Willie Nix Seems Like a Million Years

Rufus Thomas Tiger Man

Billy “the Kid” Emerson When It Rains It Pours

Side 5

Elvis Presley That’s All Right

Jerry Lee Lewis You Win Again

Sleepy John Estes Rats in My Kitchen

D.A. Hunt Lonesome Ol’ Jail

Ernie Chaffin Feelin’ Low

Charlie Rich Sittin’ and Thinkin’

Carl Perkins Movie Magg

Roscoe Gordon Booted

Side 6

Joe Hill Louis Gotta Let You Go

Little Junior’s Blue Flames Mystery Train

Carl Perkins Blue Suede Shoes

James Cotton Cotton Crop Blues

Sonny Burgess Red-Headed Woman

Warren Smith Rock and Roll Ruby

Jerry Lee Lewis Settin’ the Woods on Fire

Million Dollar Quartet I Shall Not Be Moved

Elvis Presley Tryin’ to Get to You

Be the first to write a review for this item OR just rate it