
Rhino / Wea - Rhino / Wea
Various Artists
Release date: 1990-10-25
Audio CD
60's, Girl Group, Oldies Collections, Pop, Pop/Rock, Pop/Rock Music, R&B, Rock & Roll, Surf, V/a Compilations
1. Sugar Shack - McCormack, Keith
2. Surf City - Berry, Jan
3. He's So Fine - Mack, Ronnie
4. It's My Party - Gluck, John Jr.
5. If You Wanna Be Happy - Guida, Frank
6. Louie, Louie - Berry, Richard
7. Easier Said Than Done - Huff, Larry
8. Deep Purple - DeRose, Peter
9. My Boyfriend's Back - Feldman, Bob
10. Surfin' U.S.A. - Berry, Chuck




Billboard Top Rock & Roll Hits: 1963 offers ten great rock and roll hits that made the radio waves sizzle in 1963. Many of you who heard these tunes first on the radio will love this CD; and it makes a great introduction to this style of music for younger people as well. The sound quality is very good and the artwork reflects good judgment.
Jimmy Gilmer & The Fireballs start this CD off with what in retrospect almost sounds like a bubblegum pop hit entitled "Sugar Shack." The beat is quite good and they sing and play this to perfection. Jimmy's diction is excellent and it bolsters his performance as he sings this one out strong! "Sugar Shack" is a peppy little number that you may just like more than you think you will.
Jan & Dean weigh in with an awesome hit, "Surf City." Jan & Dean can sometimes sound like The Beach Boys but as always they hold their own very well; the beat is awesome and the background harmonizing is terrific! Listen also for The Chiffons singing their hearts out on "He's So Fine." The Chiffons sing of the men they love and how much they want to start a romantic relationship with their men.
The Kingsmen turn in a solid hit with "Louie, Louie;" and there's also a major highlight of this album in The Essex as they do "Easier Said Than Done." "Easier Said Than Done" rocks very well for an early rock hit and this impresses me a lot.
Nino Tempo & April Stevens perform what is probably my very favorite song on this album, "Deep Purple." "Deep Purple" has major and minor modulations that are brilliantly done and Nino Tempo & April Stevens never miss a beat! I love that percussion on "Deep Purple," too.
The Beach Boys end the album strong with "Surfin' U.S.A." They harmonize and sing this without a superfluous note; and the beat is awesome! The musical arrangement uses the guitars, drums and percussion very well.
Overall, you just have to have this CD if you love early American rock and roll. The CD is chock full of hits.