Good Rockin' Tonight: The Legacy of Sun Records
Most of the artists on this tribute to Sam Phillips's legendary Memphis label have chosen to cover the rockabilly hits. It isn't until a genuine Sun rockabilly artist--the late Carl Perkins--makes an appearance, joiningVan Morrisonfor Howlin' Wolf's "Sittin' on Top of the World," that things briefly get bluesy. Instead, Paul McCartney,Jeff Beck, Chrissie Hynde,Tom Petty, and Bryan Ferry all offer up loving, note-for-note recreations of early Elvis tunes, even if it was Jerry Lee Lewis, not Elvis, who recorded a cover of "Don't Be Cruel" (Ferry's tune) for Sun.But Elton John and Mandy Barnett both do The Killer (Lewis) proud here, asSheryl Crowlater does for Charlie Rich, and Led Zep'sPage & Plantdo for Sonny Burgess. Especially marvelous isBob Dylan's subtle and, at times, hilarious take on Warren Smith's "Red Cadillac and a Black Moustache." It's a career highlight and every bit as enchanting as Robert Gordon's '70s cover version. Like the label itself, there are more hits than misses here.--Bill Holdship