BILL BLACK'S COMBO
Best Of - The Hi Records Years (Hi Records)
Reviewed by Shaun Dale

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When Sam Phillips matched up his new singer with guitarist Scotty Moore and bassist Bill Black, he not only launched the career of the King of Rock, but of one of the most frequently heard, if not one of the best known, figures in instrumental rock and pop, as well. Black's career with Elvis lasted only a couple years into the singer's RCA era, but as the founder of Bill Black's Combo, he cranked out the instrumental tracks that were the backbone of jukebox stock well into the sixties.

Combining choppy keyboards and a honking sax over basic rock shuffles, the sound of Bill Black's Combo provided the blueprint for instrumental rock 'n roll. It wasn't music for contemplative listening. It was designed with dancers in mind, and it's principle venue was the barroom jukebox, a market that was a particular specialty of Memphis' Hi Records. While Black managed to chart with tracks like "Smokie Part 2" and "White Silver Sands," his success depended on a market that was parallel to the one dominated by radio airplay. It's a market that's barely alive today, with jukeboxes filled with greatest hits CDs instead of indie 45's, but this disc provides a chronicle of a time and a style that's well worth archiving.

Track List:

Smokie Part 2 * White Silver Sands * Josephine * Don't Be Cruel * Blue Tango * Hearts Of Stone * Ole Buttermilk Sky * Movin' * Honky Train * Twist-Her * So What * Do It - Rat Now * Little Jasper * Long Gone * Monkey-Shine * Comin' On * Tequila * Little Queenie

© 2001 - Shaun Dale