Focusing on
Sun
boss
Sam Phillips
' four top artists --
Elvis
,
Carl Perkins
Johnny Cash
, and
Jerry Lee Lewis
-- this hits package takes in some of the most important sides from the first days of
rock & roll
. Combining
country
blues
R&B
rockabilly
, these future legends brought the musical predilections of Southern teenagers to bear on the world. And while this mix only scratches the surface, one can't really argue with a set that includes
Presley
's
"Mystery Train,"
Perkins
'
"Dixie Fried,"
Cash
"I Walk the Line,"
and
Lewis
"Breathless."
Most of their other big, early smashes are also included, along with one-offs by fellow
singers
Roy Orbison
(
"Ooby Dooby"
),
Charlie Rich
"Lonely Weekends"
), and
Bill Justis
"Raunchy"
). A fine introduction to one of the most important labels in popular music. ~ Stephen Cook