| This Week's Highlights |
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analysis w/e 14.5.11 |
DVDs out 9.5.11 |
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@ DVDfever Youtube |
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May 11 2011 
DVDfever co uk
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Popping out to the flicks around now? Why not try the biopic about a teenage legend – John Lennon. Nowhere Boy was released on Boxing Day. Judging a soundtrack is almost impossible without hearing it in the context of the film. Songs on this Sony Music 2 CD set is used to carry the story of the new biopic film about John Lennon’s teenage years (1953-1958 and slightly beyond) which lead to the formation of his skiffle band the Quarrymen (formed March 1957) through to his relationship with Paul MCartney on July 6 1957 and on to when The Beatles first set off for Hamburg. CD 1 mixes original recordings from artists that we assume had a baring on Lennon’s career, but I’m sure some are open to conjecture rather than based on fact. Certainly some would have surrounded Lennon at the time – the mid 50s.
The big hitters like Jerry Lee Lewis (Wild One), Elvis Shake Rattle and Roll, Baby Let’s Play House) , Little Richard (Rip It Up) and Chuck Berry get star inclusion, despite any of these songs making the UK charts. Of the 33 tracks, as far as the named artists are concerned, 14 never made the UK charts, but succeed in creating the electric atmosphere the songs will undoubtedly generate in the context of the story. Again, as many may not have been heard on UK radio during the period, it’s uncertain as to whether a young Lennon would have heard them at all. The one’s he would definitely have known were – Bill Haley’s Rock Around The Clock (#1 /1955), Buddy Holly’s Uk debut single which peaked at 6 ,Peggy Sue (1957), Frankie Vaughan’s These Dangerous Years (1957) and Fats Domino’s Ain’t That A Shame , a hit both sided of the Atlantic in 1955 (US) and 1957(UK). Some of the lesser known names like Big Mama Thornton who originally recorded Hound Dog in 1952 (before Elvis got his hands on it) gives a storming performance. Other delights include Buddy Knox’s rockabilly hit Party Doll (UK#29 / 1957) Dale Hawkins’ swamp rocker Suzie- Q featuring some blistering guitar solos. And, no rock’n’roll film would be complete without Rocket 88, considered to be the very first rock’n’roll song ever, here credited to Jackie Breston & His Delta Cats, though Ike Turner probably had more to do with it. The verdict – Keep on jiving. blog comments powered by Disqus
As of April 2009, Blu-rays and DVDs reviewed by the editor are watched on a Panasonic TH-37PX80B 37" Plasma TV with a Sony BDP-1500 Blu-ray player and played through a Yamaha DSP-AX820 amplifier. PC games reviewed by the editor are on:
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Review & concert pics copyright © Elly Roberts, 2004-2010.
