The Killer Has Not Yet Left The Room
"Jerry Lee Lewis: The Definitive Collection," (2005) might not be quite as definitive as his most knowledgeable fans could wish. Still, for us just plain old fans, it sure delivers a lot of favorites. It's a good showcase for "The Killer," as this booming piano player, an outstanding rockabilly musician, has long been called, and will do very well for some of us, who love his work, without necessarily wishing to live next door to the artist, and his oddly assorted wives. Furthermore, there can be no doubt that he's still a musical force to be reckoned with, for anybody who caught his recent explosive live Grammy performance.
Lewis first was widely noticed after a December 4, 1956 Sun Studios recording session of Carl Perkins's: he was Perkins's pianist. And, after Sun boss/kingmaker Sam Phillips turned off the mics, Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash, his studio's greatest stars, who were there just visiting, began a jam session with Perkins. The wavy-haired Lewis was there to pound that piano. Businessman Phillips was inspired to call the local paper to memorialize the event, and next day the "Memphis Press-Scimitar" had a picture and story, headlined "The Million Dollar Quartet." The rest is history: before you knew it, Lewis's second Sun single, 1957's "Whole Lot of Shakin'Going On," sold millions, as did his follow-up, "Great Balls of Fire." Then the man, already third time around, married his thirteen year old cousin Myra. His rockabilly career never really recovered: he was forced to retreat into country, which might not have been the worst thing for him. But, anyway, despite the man's wild and crazy life, he's the only member of that quartet still here.
This CD gives us, of course, his two great early hits; also a number of songs from later in his career that reflect where he was at: "What Made Milwaukee Famous," "Drinking Wine Spo-Dee O'Dee," "Middle Age Crazy," "Another Place Another Time," and Kris Kristofferson's classic, "Me and Bobby McGee." You might not be crazy about the man or his music, but he was there at the beginning, and he's still here; the man has not yet left the room.
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A lot of hits are here,but even more are missing
With so many Jerry Lee Lewis collections on the market,it isn't hard to find one.Finding all of his "greatest hits",however,is.The problem is that most of Jerry Lee's hits were recorded in the '60's & '70's,long after he had parted ways with Sam Phillips and sun records.Why is that a problem?Because about 90% of the cds out there only feature sun material,recorded between 1956 and 1963.It can get a little frustrating trying to find a cd that covers his entire career,and not just "Great balls of fire".
"The definitive collection" does just that,featuring 24 of the killer's biggest hits,it starts with 1957's "Whole lot of shakin' going on" and ends with 1981's "Thirty nine and holding".
But...
Just like every "best of" cd,this one has its own set of problems.
Jerry Lee Lewis has had over 65 hit singles and this cd only has 24 of them,obviously,this should have been a 2 cd set.
The hits included:
"Whole lot of shakin' going on" ( #1 in 1957)
"Great balls of fire" ( #1 in 1957)
"You win again" ( #4 in 1957)
"Breathless" ( #4 in 1958)
"High school confidential" ( #9 in 1958)
"What'd i say" ( #21 in 1961)
"What's made Milwaukee famous ( #2 in 1968)
"Another place,another time" ( #2 in 1968)
"She still comes around" ( #2 in 1968)
"To make love sweeter for you" ( #1 in 1969)
"Don't let me cross over" ( #9 in 1969)
"One has my name" ( #3 in 1969)
"She even woke me up to say goodbye" ( #2 in 1969)
"Once more with feeling" ( #2 in 1970)
"There must be more to love than this" ( #1 in 1970)
"Me and Bobby Mcgee" ( #1 in 1970)
"Would you take another chance on me" ( #1 in 1971)
"Chantilly Lace" ( #1 in 1972)
"Sometimes a memory ain't enough" ( #6 in 1973)
"Drinking wine spo-dee o'dee" ( #20 in 1973)
"He can't fill my shoes" ( #8 in 1974)
"Middle age crazy" ( #4 in 1977)
"Over the rainbow" ( #10 in 1980)
"Thirty nine and holding" ( #4 in 1981)
Glaring omissions:
"I"ll make it all up to you" ( #19 in 1958 )
"Fools like me" ( #9 in 1958)
"Invitation to your party" ( #6 in 1969)
"One minute past eternity" ( #2 in 1969)
"I can't seem to say goodbye" ( #7 in 1970)
"Waiting for a train" ( #7 in 1970)
"Touching home" ( #3 in 1971)
"When he walks on you" ( #10 in 1971)
"Think about it darlin' ( #1 in 1972)
"Lonely weekends" ( #10 in 1972)
"Who's gonna play this old piano" ( #14 in 1972)
"No more hanging on" ( #19 in 1973)
"Tell tale signs" ( #18 in 1974)
"i can still hear the music in the bathroom" ( #13 in 1975)
"Boogie woogie country man" ( #24 in 1975)
"Let's put it back together again" ( #5 in 1976)
"The closest thing to you" ( #27 in 1976)
"Come on in" ( #10 in 1978)
"I'll find it where i can" ( #10 in 1978)
"Rockin' my life away" ( #18 in 1979)
"I wish i was eighteen again" ( #18 in 1979)
"Who will the next fool be" ( #20 in 1979)
"When two worlds collide" ( #11 in 1980)
"I'd do it all again" ( #52 in 1982)
"My fingers do the talking" ( #44 in 1982)
"The definitive collection" doesn't quite live up to its title,but it is better than most and serves as proof that Jerry Lee Lewis' career didn't die in the fifties,it had only begun.
This cd includes a 16 page booklet,extensive liner notes,rare photos and has been digitally remastered for the ultimate sound!
All songs are the original recordings.
I know i'm not the only one who's been suckered by the "bargain bin" at the music store( where bootleg Jerry Lee Lewis live cds call home!)
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