There are a few problems with this two-disc collection, starting with its stated theme, that the blues had a baby and they called it rock & roll. There's very little blues here, actually, and if anything, this set shows that rock & roll was a sponge if ever there was one, soaking up country, honky tonk, R&B, doo wop, and yes, the blues, in one huge, energetic swipe. What's blues about
Frankie Lymon's "Why Do Fools Fall in Love" or
Ernest Tubb's "Walking the Floor Over You" except in the broadest application of the term? Another problem with this collection is that in many cases the original version isn't what's presented, with live performances substituted. It all adds up to a shaky package, however well intentioned.