Rockin' Bones: 1950s Punk and Rockabilly [Box] (CD - 2006)

Audio Remasterers: Dave Schultz; Bill Inglot.

Liner Note Authors: James Austin; Colin Escott; Dave Alvin; Deke Dickerson; James Burton; Lee Rocker; Mark Pickerel; Mike Ness; Reverend Horton Heat; Slim Jim Phantom; Billy Gibbons.

Recording information: 1954-1958.

Illustrators: Samson Pollen; Steve Vance.

Photographer: Hugh Brown.

The exhaustive four-disc set ROCKIN' BONES: 1950s PUNK AND ROCKABILLY is a solid attempt to place rockabilly (which was in reality a fairly regional and short-lived scene in its original incarnation) into the broader context of early rock & roll. The switchblade beat abounds on these 101 tracks, which include wild classics from rock royalty like Elvis and Buddy Holly alongside cult favorites like Ronnie Dawson and Hasil Adkins, and a generous handful of obscure artists known only to the most devoted collectors. As always with Rhino box sets, both remastering and packaging are superlative, making this an indispensable set for fans and novices alike. minimize