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.
15 Fats Domino - What's the Reason I'm Not Pleasing You
16 Mickey & Sylvia - Love Is Strange
17 Elvis Presley - Hound Dog
18 Elvis Presley - Don't Be Cruel
19 Clyde McPhatter - Without Love
20 The Heartbeats - a Thousand Miles Away
21 Ann Cole - in the Chapel
22 Platters - One in a Million
23 Little Richard - the Girl Can't Help It
24 Elvis Presley - Too Much
25 Andre Williams - Bacon Fat
26 Tarriers - Banana Boat Song
27 Tab Hunter - Young Love
- Disc 2 -
1 Ray Charles - Ain't That Love
2 Jimmy Rogers - Walking By Myself
3 Harry Belafonte - Banana Boat Song
4 Annie Laurie - It Hurts to Be in Love
5 Lloyd Price - Just Because
6 Ruth Brown - Lucky Lips
7 Fats Domino - I'm Walkin'
8 Little Richard - Lucille
9 Buddy Knox - Party Doll
10 Charlie Gracie - Butterfly
11 The Dell-Vikings - Come Go with Me
12 Little Jr. Parker - Next Time You See Me
13 Roy Brown - Party Doll
14 Diamonds - Little Darlin'
15 Elvis Presley - All Shook Up
16 Harry Belafonte - Mama Look at Bubu
17 Little Richard - Send Me Some Lovin'
18 Chuck Willis - C.C. Rider
19 Mickey & Sylvia - There Oughta Be a Law
20 Ivory Joe Hunter - Empty Arms
21 Ivory Joe Hunter - Love's a Hurting Game
22 Clyde McPhatter - Just to Hold My Hand
23 B. B. "Blues Boy" King and His Orchestra - Troubles, Troubles, Troubles
24 B. B. "Blues Boy" King and His Orchestra - I Want to Get Married
25 The Coasters - Young Blood
26 The Coasters - Searchin'
27 Lavern Baker - Jim Dandy Got Married
28 Johnny and Joe - Over the Mountain, Across the Sea
29 Fats Domino - Valley of Tears
- Disc 3 -
1 Jimmy Dorsey - So Rare
2 Fats Domino - It's You I Love
3 Donnie Elbert - What Can I Do
4 The Platters - My Dream
5 Johnny Heartsman, the Rhythm Rocker and the Gaylarks - Johnny's House Party
6 Everly Brothers - Bye, Bye Love
7 Little Richard - Jenny, Jenny
8 Otis Williams & His Charms - United
9 Larry Williams - Short Fat Fannie
10 Jimmy Reed - Sun Is Shining
11 Little Richard - Miss Ann
12 Nat "King" Cole - Send for Me
13 The Spaniels - Everyone's Laughing
14 The Moonglows - Please Send Me Someone to Love
15 Elvis Presley - (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear
16 Huey Smith and the Clowns - Rocking Pneumonia and the Boogie Woogie Flu
17 Billy Ward & the Dominoes - Stardust
18 Nat King Cole and the Four Knights - My Personal Possession
19 Pat Boone - Love Letters in the Sand
20 The Five Satins - to the Aisle
21 Lillian Offitt - Miss You So
22 The Dell-Vikings - Whispering Bells
23 Elvis Presley - Loving You
24 Clyde McPhatter - Long Lonely Nights
25 Bobby "Blue" Bland - Farther Up the Road
26 Jerry Lee Lewis - Whole Lotta Shakin' Going on
27 Larry Williams - High School Dance
28 The Bobbettes - Mr. Lee
29 Buddy Holly & the Crickets - That'll Be the Day
- Disc 4 -
1 Paul Anka - Diana
2 Jimmie Rodgers - Honeycomb
3 Everly Brothers - Wake Up Little Susie
4 The Tune Weavers - Happy Happy Birthday Baby
5 Russ Hamilton - Rainbow
6 Gene Vincent and His Blue Caps - Lotta Lovin'
7 Little Richard - Keep a Knockin'
8 Elvis Presley - Jailhouse Rock
9 Elvis Presley - Treat Me Nice
10 Jimmy Reed - Honest I Do
11 Buddy Knox - Hula Love
12 Sam Cooke - You Send Me
13 The Rays - Silhouettes
14 Ricky Nelson - Be Bop Baby
15 Thurston Harris - Little Bitty Pretty One
16 The Rays - Daddy Cool
17 Fats Domino - Wait and See
18 Bobby Helms - My Special Angel
19 Larry Williams - Bony Moronie
20 Chuck Berry - Rock and Roll Music
21 Bill Justis & His Orchestra - Raunchy
22 Ray Charles - Swanee River Rock (Talkin' Bout That River)
23 Johnny Mathis - Chances Are
24 Ernie Freeman - Raunchy
25 Buddy Holly - Peggy Sue
26 Jimmie Rodgers - Kisses Sweeter Than Wine
27 Jerry Lee Lewis and His Pumping Piano - Great Balls of Fire
28 Danny & the Juniors - at the Hop
29 The Hollywood Flames - Buzz, Buzz, Buzz
30 Sam Cooke - I'll Come Running Back to You
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.