Cover of Eddie Cochran The Eddie Cochran Story
Bubi

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For fans of 1950s rock 'n' roll,lovers of rock history,punk music enthusiasts,guitar and recording tech aficionados,music historians and collectors
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THE REVIEW

Elvis Presley was not the music innovator of the '50s. He was the biggest star the music world had ever produced up to that point, his success was universal, and it was mainly thanks to him that rock 'n' roll spread in the west. Millions of young girls lost their heads when "Elvis the Pelvis" showcased his famous hip-swiveling moves, but the true architects of the musical revolution were Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, Little Richard, Buddy Holly, and Eddie Cochran.

To frame the artist, it's worth mentioning that Jimi Hendrix considered him the only white musician from whom he had learned something. At just sixteen, he joined Hank Cochran (they were not related) to form the Cochran Brothers, a duo that played country. The partnership ended when Eddie met Jerry Capehart, who became his manager and would accompany him throughout his short life. After an unsuccessful audition at Sun Records with Sam Phillips, he found a home at Liberty Records, for which he recorded "Twenty Flight Rock", a track that already captures the essence of the music that would make him famous—a very rhythmic and no-frills sound that makes you move to the beat of the guitar. He also appeared in the film "The Girl Can't Help It".

Despite being very young, Eddie soon proved to be a talented singer, songwriter, session musician, and guitarist, quickly becoming an expert in the field of recording. He was one of the first to employ the technique of overdubbing (vocal and instrumental overlays). While mom and dad listened to "Mantovani" and "Ray Conniff", in '58 he composed "Summertime Blues", one of the great masterpieces of rock 'n' roll, which made him a youth idol. It was covered numerous times by other artists, perhaps the most famous cover being by "Who".

I discovered Eddie Cochran while reading some interviews with punk musicians, who claimed to have drawn most of their inspiration from his music. This shows that punk is a return to the origins of rock 'n' roll, from which it took the prodigious revolutionary charge, with the difference that in '77 the songs were played with angry energy, and the lyrics were irreverent, often offensive. "Sid Vicious" relaunched two of Cochran's tracks, "C'mon Everybody" and "Somethin' Else", keeping the cadence and melodic structure almost unchanged, only altering the visual impact and interpreting them roughly.

He had not yet turned 22 when he died in a car accident in 1960, after a triumphant tour in England. Despite a very brief career, he quickly became a cult figure, an artist who, with just a handful of songs, managed to find a place in music history. Four records in which all the pioneering work of this legendary rocker is contained, his compositions, covers, and other recordings indicative of his artist life.

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Summary by Bot

This review highlights Eddie Cochran as an essential yet often underrated architect of 1950s rock 'n' roll. His innovative guitar work and use of overdubbing set new standards. Despite his brief career cut short by tragedy, his influence resonates through punk musicians and classic rock alike. The album showcases his best recordings and solidifies his place in music history.

Tracklist Lyrics

01   Mean When I'm Mad (01:51)

02   Somethin’ Else (02:04)

03   I Want Elvis for Christmas (01:56)

04   C'mon Everybody (01:55)

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05   Don't Ever Let Me Go (02:10)

06   Heartbreakin’ Mama (02:22)

07   I’m Ready (01:33)

08   I'm Alone Because I Love You (02:20)

09   Ah, Pretty Girl (version 2) (02:09)

11   Pretty Little Devil (02:08)

12   Little Angel (01:53)

13   Milk Cow Blues (02:43)

14   Pocketful of Hearts (01:54)

15   Completely Sweet (version 2) (02:18)

16   Hallelujah I Love Her So (02:18)

17   Dark Lonely Street (02:50)

18   I.O.U. (02:07)

19   Now Is the Hour (03:00)

20   Itty Bitty Betty (01:44)

21   Never (01:50)

22   Eddie's Blues (03:56)

23   Don't Wake Up the Kids (02:31)

24   Fool's Paradise (02:02)

25   Proud of You (01:56)

26   Hammy Blues (01:39)

27   Cut Across Shorty (01:52)

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28   Jam Sand-Witch (02:32)

29   My Lovin' Baby (02:18)

30   Am I Blue (02:14)

31   Jungle Jingle (02:36)

32   Let's Coast Awhile (02:00)

33   Cherished Memories (take 6) (01:55)

34   My Love to Remember (02:01)

35   Latch On (01:50)

36   Half Loved (version 2) (02:25)

37   Latch on (01:37)

38   Have I Told You Lately That I Love You (02:33)

39   Ah, Pretty Girl (02:14)

40   Little Angel (01:52)

41   Mr. Fiddle (02:17)

42   Latch On (01:46)

43   Little Lou (01:39)

44   Lovin’ Time (02:04)

45   My Love to Remember (version 3) (02:13)

46   Don't Bye Bye Baby Me (02:21)

47   Dark Lonely Street (02:19)

48   Ah, Pretty Girl (3 track version) (01:49)

49   Cotton Picker (02:11)

50   Love Again (02:13)

51   Long Tall Sally (01:43)

52   I've Waited So Long (02:39)

53   Blue Suede Shoes (01:48)

54   Guilty Conscience (02:12)

55   Let's Get Together (01:53)

56   Sittin' in the Balcony (live) (02:05)

57   Guitar Blues (02:56)

58   I Almost Lost My Mind (02:28)

59   Cradle Baby (01:46)

60   Sick and Tired (01:49)

61   Slow Down (01:59)

62   Me and My Bear (02:23)

63   Hide and Go Seek (02:15)

64   My Love to Remember (version 2) (02:12)

65   Guitar Picker (02:17)

66   Drive in Show (02:00)

67   Rollin' (01:56)

68   Sittin' in the Balcony (01:57)

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69   One Minute to One (02:06)

70   Boll Weevil Song (02:06)

71   Hallelujah! I Love Her So (02:16)

72   Completely Sweet (02:30)

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73   Money Honey (02:19)

74   Cherished Memories (take 14) (01:56)

75   Jeannie, Jeannie , Jeannie (02:19)

76   Jeanie, Jeanie, Jeanie (02:20)

77   Cut Across Shorty (02:01)

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78   I've Waited So Long (02:40)

79   Guybo - aka (Drum City) (01:45)

80   Nervous Breakdown (02:17)

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81   Open the Door (02:02)

82   Cruisin' the Drive-In (01:40)

83   Pretty Girl (2 track version) (01:49)

84   Kiss and Make Up (01:49)

85   Ah, Pretty Girl (take 19) (previously unreleased) (01:55)

86   Jelly Bean (02:05)

87   Nervous Breakdown (version 2) (01:54)

88   I Remember (02:12)

89   Rock 'n' Roll Blues (02:20)

90   Cherished Memories (01:51)

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91   Half Loved (02:43)

92   My Way (02:21)

93   Meet Mr Tweedy (01:48)

94   Drowning All My Sorrows (02:09)

95   Mighty Mean (demo) (01:57)

96   Heart of a Fool (01:47)

97   One Kiss (01:48)

98   Pink Peg Slacks (01:53)

99   Pink Peg Slacks (version 2) (02:08)

100   Pretty Girl (01:49)

Eddie Cochran

Edward Raymond Cochran (October 3, 1938 – April 17, 1960) was an American rock'n'roll and rockabilly singer, songwriter and guitarist known for songs such as "Summertime Blues" and "C'mon Everybody". He died following a car crash in England and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.
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