Various Artists - The Complete Pop Instrumental Hits Of 1959 (@320)

 

The Complete Pop Instrumental Hits of 1959 Review by Timothy Monger.

There was a time when happy-go-lucky instrumental numbers like Dave "Baby" Cortez's "Happy Organ" or Charlie Blackwell's shuffling, whistle-led "Midnight Oil" could co-exist on the Billboard charts with the myriad of teen idols and vocal groups. It was a different America in 1959, a year that could produce the 66 instrumental pop hits included on this two-disc set from reissue label Complete 60's. Every track here charted and many of them were planted firmly in the zeitgeist of the time, from Ray Anthony's version of Henry Mancini's "Peter Gunn" theme to Billy Vaughn's smooth "Blue Hawaii." From gritty guitar slingers like Link Wray and Duane Eddy to the kitschy exotica of big pop ensembles like Martin Denny & His Orchestra, instrumental singles had their heyday in the late '50s. Many of the tracks included in this collection are appearing digitally for the first time and several more are making their stereo mix debut as well.

 

Tracklist:

 

CD1:

 

1.1 The Happy Organ - Dave 'Baby' Cortez (Stereo Debut)

1.2 Petite Fleur (Little Flower) - Chris Barber's Jazz Band (Stereo Debut)

1.3 Guitar Boogie Shuffle - the Virtues (Stereo Debut)

1.4 I Talk to the Trees - Edmundo Ros ; His Orchestra (Stereo)

1.5 Blue Hawaii - Billy Vaughn ; His Orchestra (Stereo)

1.6 Manhattan Spiritual - Reg Owen ; His Orchestra (Us Single Version Debut)

1.7 Gazachstahagen - the Wild Cats (Mono)

1.8 The Lonely One - Duane Eddy (Mono)

1.9 Jupiter C - Pat ; The Satellites (Mono)

1.10 Peter Gunn - Ray Anthony ; His Orchestra (Mono)

1.11 Bunny Hop - the Applejacks (Mono CD Debut)

1.12 Raw Hide - Link Wray ; His Ray Men (Mono)

1.13 Midnight Oil - Charlie Blackwell (Mono CD Debut)

1.14 Fried Eggs - the Intruders (Mono CD Debut}

1.15 Record Hop Blues - the Quarter Notes (Mono)

1.16 Hawaiian War Chant - Billy Vaughn ; His Orchestra (Stereo)

1.17 The Beat - the Rockin' R's (Mono)

1.18 Yep! - Duane Eddy (Mono)

1.19 Walkin' to Mother's - Ray Anthony ; His Orchestra (Stereo Single Version Debut)

1.20 Sunset Strip - the Big Sound of Don Ralke (Mono)

1.21 Pipe Dreams - Jimmy Beck ; His Orchestra (Mono)

1.22 Your Cheatin' Heart - Billy Vaughn ; His Orchestra (Mono)

1.23 Rockin' Crickets - the Hot Toddys Featuring Bill Pennell (Mono)

1.24 Quiet Village - Martin Denny ; His Orchestra (Mono Single Version Debut)

1.25 Only You (And You Alone) - Franck Pourcel's French Fiddles (Stereo Debut)

1.26 Crossfire - Johnny ; The Hurricanes (Mono)

1.27 A String of Trumpets - the Trumpeteers (Mono)

1.28 Straight Flush - the Frantics (Stereo)

1.29 With My Eyes Wide Open I'm Dreaming - Enoch Light ; The Light Brigade (Mono CD Debut)

1.30 Tall Cool One - the Wailers (Mono)

1.31 Danny Boy - Sil Austin (Stereo)

1.32 Bongo Rock - Preston Epps (Mono)

1.33 Velvet Waters - the Megatrons (Mono)

 

CD2:

 

1.34 Sleep Walk - Santo ; Johnny (Stereo Debut)

1.35 Red River Rock - Johnny ; The Hurricanes (Stereo Debut)

1.36 Little Dipper - the Mickey Mozart Quintet (Mono)

1.37 Taboo - the Arthur Lyman Group (Stereo Single Version Debut)

1.38 The Whistling Organ - Dave 'Baby' Cortez (Mono)

1.39 Happy Vacation - Jackie Lee (Mono CD Debut)

1.40 Like Young - Andre Previn with David Rose ; His Orchestra (Stereo)

1.41 Forty Miles of Bad Road - Duane Eddy (Stereo)

1.42 The Quiet Three - Duane Eddy (Stereo)

1.43 Martinique - Martin Denny ; His Orchestra (Stereo Single Version Debut)

1.44 Ciao Ciao Bambina - Jacky Noguez ; His Orchestra (Stereo)

1.45 Cry - the Knightsbridge Strings (Stereo)

1.46 Mau Mau - the Wailers (Mono)

1.47 The Caterpillar Crawl - the Strangers (Mono)

1.48 Fog Cutter - the Frantics (Mono)

1.49 Boo Boo Stick Beat - Chet Atkins (Mono)

1.50 Teen Beat - Sandy Nelson (Mono)

1.51 First Love First Tears - Duane Eddy (Stereo)

1.52 Some Kind a Earthquake - Duane Eddy (Stereo)

1.53 Torquay - the Fireballs (Mono)

1.54 Joey's Song - Bill Haley ; His Comets (Stereo)

1.55 The Enchanted Sea - the Islanders (Stereo)

1.56 Wheel of Fortune - the Knightsbridge Strings (Stereo CD Debut)

1.57 Woo Hoo - the Rock a Teens (Mono)

1.58 Reveille Rock - Johnny ; The Hurricanes (Stereo)

1.59 The Enchanted Sea - Martin Denny ; His Orchestra (Stereo Single Version Debut)

1.60 The Hunch - Paul Gayten (Mono)

1.61 The Hunch - the Bobby Peterson Quintet (Mono)

1.62 Marina - Jacky Noguez ; His Orchestra (CD Debut)

1.63 In the Mood - Ernie Fields' Orchestra (Mono)

1.64 I'll Walk the Line - Don Costa ; His Orchestra (Stereo)

1.65 Tear Drop - Santo ; Johnny (Stereo Debut)

1.66 Wild Weekend - the Rockin' Rebels (Stereo Debut Bonus Track

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