Album: Various Artists

Speciality Records' Greatest Hits, Speciality

That rock 'n' roll started with Elvis in 1956 is a myth that this collection taken from the archives of the independent Los Angeles label scotches within a few seconds of the opener, Lloyd Price's Lawdy Miss Clawdy, from 1952. You may have heard some of these hits before, but the cumulative effect is hard to beat; from tipsy jump-blues, to raucous rockers (including five Little Richard numbers), and the greatest of all gooey doo-wops (Dream Girl by Jesse and Marvin). Scholarly sleeve-notes, full personnel credits, and gorgeous pics complete the package.