Original Rock Oldies Golden Hits Volume 2
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Album Summary
Released in 1970 on the legendary Specialty Records label out of the United States, 'Original Rock Oldies Golden Hits Volume 2' is a various artists compilation that reaches back into the golden chest of early rock and roll and rhythm and blues, pulling out some of the most electrifying sides ever pressed to wax. Specialty, a label with deep roots in the soul and R&B world, put this collection together as a loving retrospective of the raw, stomping energy that lit up jukeboxes and dance floors in the late 1950s and early 1960s. With twelve tracks spread across two sides, this album served as both a time capsule and an introduction for a new generation of listeners who may have missed that first glorious wave of rock and roll excitement.
Reception
- As a budget-oriented compilation release, the album was not widely reviewed by major music publications of the era and did not chart as a standalone title.
- Specialty's reputation as a historically significant soul and R&B label lent the collection credibility among collectors and enthusiasts who recognized the quality of the source material.
- The album found its audience largely through record bins and word of mouth among fans seeking affordable access to classic rock and roll sides from the Specialty catalog.
Significance
- The album stands as a document of Specialty Records' pivotal role in shaping the sound of early rock and roll and soul, preserving performances that helped define the genre's foundational vocabulary.
- By gathering tracks like 'Good Golly Miss Molly,' 'Bony Moronie,' 'Lucille,' and 'Tears On My Pillow' onto a single LP, the compilation underscored how deeply intertwined rock and roll was with its rhythm and blues roots during that era.
- Released at the dawn of the 1970s, the album reflects the growing nostalgia movement for 1950s rock and roll that was sweeping through American popular culture, helping keep these essential recordings alive and accessible.
Samples
- "Good Golly Miss Molly" — one of the most celebrated early rock and roll recordings, this Little Richard classic has been interpolated and referenced across decades of popular music.
- "Lucille" — Little Richard's iconic track has been covered and sampled widely, with its raw piano-driven energy making it a touchstone for artists across rock, soul, and hip-hop.
- "Tears On My Pillow" — this doo-wop classic by Little Anthony and the Imperials has been sampled and interpolated by numerous artists, most notably appearing in the cultural landscape through various rap and R&B productions.
Tracklist
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A1 Good Golly Miss Molly —
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A2 Hi-Heel Sneakers —
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A3 Slow Down —
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A4 Nite Owl —
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A5 Justine —
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A6 Boppin' The Rock —
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B1 Bony Moronie —
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B2 Haunted House —
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B3 Lucille —
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B4 Tears On My Pillow —
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B5 Baby Please Come Home —
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B6 Forever —
Artist Details
Here's the thing about Various, baby — this artist burst onto the 1980s rock scene like a force of nature, blending raw energy with a sound that was somehow both timeless and perfectly of its era. Various carved out a reputation for delivering tracks that hit you right in the chest, the kind of music that made you pull over your car just to let the song breathe. With a catalog that speaks for itself, Various remains one of the most compelling figures to come out of that decade of big hair, bigger riffs, and even bigger feelings.
