The 1957 R&B Hits Collection (Various Artists)

• Track Listing

This continues the strand of R&B and country collections associated with Acrobat's highly popular "America's Greatest Hits" series, this one focusing on the top R&B records in the US Billboard charts during 1957. This great value 115-track 4-CD anthology includes, with the exception of certain records which are unavailable for inclusion due to copyright restrictions, just about every record which peaked in the Billboard R&B Top 15 during that year. With rock 'n' roll by now having become a dominant force in the pop chart, and with that music having substantial roots in R&B, the boundaries between the genres were becoming more flexible, with much more crossover between the charts. As a result a lot of familiar rock 'n' roll names appear in this collection along with one or two that will cause raised eyebrows in terms their R&B credentials. However, what that does is create a fascinating and varied collection as blues guitarists, doo-wop groups, R&B divas, great R&B vocalists and jazz orchestras jostle for position with rock 'n' rollers Like Elvis, Presley, Little Richard, Fats Domino and Jerry Lee Lewis, and who would say their records don't belong in the R&B chart? Fats Domino began the year with three consecutive No. 1s, but it was generally the new order who dominated the topspot, Elvis matching Fats with three No. 1s, and The Coasters having the longest running chart topper of the year. As with all these collections, it provides a window onto a dynamic and exciting musical environment, and includes a number of unfamiliar names and recordings of which even enthusiasts of the genre may not be too aware, and which will be welcome additions to their collections. It contains a 12,000+ word booklet featuring background notes on every record as well as full discographical and chart information.