Rock Around the Clock

Album Review

Rock Around the Clock was basically the Shake, Rattle & Roll 10" disc with four fine 1955 vintage numbers — "Two Hound Dogs," "Razzle Dazzle," "Rock-a-Beatin' Boogie," and "Burn That Candle" — added on. Frannie Beecher's break on "Razzle Dazzle" was worth the price of the platter (probably all of four dollars, albeit in 1956 dollars, when that represented most of a tank of gas, eight subway rides, or dinner for two at a drive-in restaurant), and the band as a whole never sounded more inspired and driven. Most of the tracks have been widely reissued, but this release shows off some of the most exciting music that you could buy in one shot in 1956 — this and Elvis' first two albums were as good as rock & roll LPs got that year.