the london american label year by year ~ 1959

Our latest volume in this critically acclaimed and best selling series moves us backwards, for the first time, into the 1950s and offers another stunning cross-section of hits, flips, flops and rarities that found their way across the Atlantic ocean, for the first time, via the London American label.

With most tracks specially chosen to complement, rather than duplicate, existing Ace CDs, it’s a pleasure to note that only two of the 28 cuts can be found elsewhere in our catalogue.

As always, our selection is laden with big names of the era and with big Hot 100 hits, some of which actually found their way into the UK Top 40 too. Iconic US labels that this collection draws on include Chess, Sun, Atlantic, Big Top, Ace (MS), Specialty, Jamie and many more.

In keeping with our mission statement to master from the original tapes that were used to manufacture the London 45s and 78s, wherever they still exist, 20 of the tracks here were sourced from London tapes. The sound you hear here is exactly as you heard it then!

2011 will bring three more releases in this series, from 1963, 1958 and 1957, each one laden with more collectors’ gold from the greatest ever UK home of classic American music.

Track Listing:

1. I'M READY - Fats Domino
2. SERMONETTE - Della Reese
3. YOU WENT BACK ON YOUR WORD - Clyde McPhatter
4. HERE COMES SUMMER - Jerry Keller
5. LUTHER PLAYED THE BOOGIE - Johnny Cash
6. CHARLIE BROWN - The Coasters
7. COME ON A MY HOUSE - Julie London
8. RED RIVER ROCK - Johnnny & the Hurricanes
9. SWEET ANNIE LAURIE - Sammy Turner And The Twisters
10. BACK IN THE USA - Chuck Berry
11. I DON'T KNOW - Ruth Brown
12. JUST KEEP IT UP (AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS) - Dee Clark
13. TEENAGE HEAVEN - Eddie Cochran
14. RING-A-ROCKIN' - Neil Sedaka
15. A LETTER TO AN ANGEL - Jimmie Clanton And His Rockets
16. MACK THE KNIFE - Bobby Darin
17. SOME KIND-A EARTHQUAKE (EXTENDED VERSION) - Duane Eddy
18. STARRY EYED - Gary Stites
19. DIAMOND RING - Jimmy Isle
20. MY LIFE - Chuck Willis
21. SO HIGH, SO LOW - LaVern Baker
22. SAY MAN - Bo Didddley
23. SHE SAID ‘YEAH' - Larry Williams
24. CRUISING - Jimmy And The Night Hoppers (Spelling As Per EMI)
25. RUN, BOY, RUN - Sanford Clark
26. LET'S TALK ABOUT US - Jerry Lee Lewis
27. DECK OF CARDS - Wink Martindale