Various Artists – The Ace Story Vol. 1 (Ace Records)
Ace Records of Jackson, Mississippi compiled by Ace Records of London. Nice… This is a reissue of Ace’s original vinyl release from 1979 with 10 bonus tracks, for good measure. In total: 24 tracks of good-time Southern rock ‘n’ roll, R&B and rockabilly. Highlights are plentiful – I counted about 24 of them – and for a genuine fix of old school / high school Americana you’ll struggle to find better on a single disc. A few names for you: Frankie Ford of course. Both “Sea Cruise” and “Alimony” are present. There are a couple of Dr. John rarities: Mac Rebennack’s “Storm Warning” and Morgus & The Ghouls’ “Morgus The Magnificent”. Huey Smith & The Clowns provide both versions of “Rockin’ Pneumonia And The Boogie Woogie Flu” and in-between invent the “Pop-Eye”.

I could go on, but I shan’t. Let’s just say if you own the original vinyl version, you need this. If any of the names I’ve mentioned above mean anything to you, you need this. If classic rock ‘n’ roll rocks your boat, you need this. Indeed, if you’re alive, you probably need this CD. I don’t think that’s overstating the case.
www.acerecords.co.uk
Rob F.

FRANKIE FORD – SEA CRUISE

HUEY SMITH & THE CLOWNS – ROCKIN’ PNUEMONIA & THE BOOGIE WOOGIE FLU

JOE TEX – YOU LITTLE BABY FACE THING

FRANKIE LEE SIMS – HEY LITTLE GIRL

EARL KING – EVERYBODY’S CARRIED AWAY

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