Criminal Records: Law, Disorder & The Pursuit Of Vinyl Justice Various Artists (Themes)

£11.70

Genre:
Rock'n'Roll
Label:
Ace Records
Format:
CD
Catalogue Id:
CDCHD 1319

’Ello, ’Ello, ’Ello, what’s all this, then

Crime and punishment have always gone hand in hand in the worlds of rock’n’roll, R&B and country and western music. For decades, goodies and baddies have provided us with a life sentence of chronicling of man’s misdemeanours and subsequent incarceration. When top Ace fan Tony Watson suggested that a compilation of songs about obeying and breaking the law would be right up the street of most of those who buy our CDs, we didn’t need to be read our reissue rights to agree. With that in mind, your honours, I hereby present the case for “Criminal Records”

Our line-up of heroes and villains runs the whole gamut of lawbreaking and law enforcement. Within its 60 minute audio sentence (and no time off for good behaviour) we cheer western heroes such as Gunsmoke’s “Mister” Matt Dillon and boo villains such as the fictitious (and let’s be very glad he is) ‘Bad Dan McGoon’. Our helmets are doffed to radio and TV ’tecs of the calibre of Dragnet’s Sgt Joe Friday and the legendary iron-jawed Dick Tracy, as well as some of those smoother newer fellas that came later such as 77 Sunset Strips Stu Bailey and, from the TV show of the same name, Peter Gunn. Bob Luman tells us how much he wishes he was a ‘Private Eye’ which a pre-twistin’ Chubby Checker moans that he can’t get any girl reaction, because his lady love is too busy drooling over the kind of ruggedly handsome television PIs that Luman aspires to be.

Other legendary enforcers of the TV screen from the years between Friday and Bailey are also on your case and on your trail, from Alaska (Sgt Preston Of the Yukon) to Chinatown (Charlie Chan, in the Coasters’ ‘Bad Detective’). If you grew up watching the small screen when it really was a small screen, you’ll remember most of these upstanding lawmen and their relentless pursuit of justice at all costs as they came into your homes on a weekly basis.

Less savoury characters that we hear from include alimony dodgers Richard Berry and Wynonie Harris; hardened lifers Jumpin’ Gene Simmons, George Jones and Hylo Brown; denizens of DWI Benjamin “Scat Man” Crothers and, with some help from Cliff “King” Solomon’s orchestra, Gigi Gryce; chain gang toiler Billy Boy Arnold and the perpetually in-the-wrong-place-at-the-wrong time Bobby Nunn of the Robins. And lest anyone think we’ve gone soft on lady lawbreakers, vivacious Vicki Young puts a Prisoner Of Cell Block H perspective on what it’s like to ‘Riot In Cell Block #9’. Personally I reckon that at least some of these guys and gals ought to have been let off with a caution.

Failure to support this project will result in a visit from the no-fun police and a lifetime of listening to R and B (that’s Rihanna and Bieber) for your sins. It’s a fair cop, guv, but society is to blame.

Evenin’ all.

By Tony Rounce

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Track listing

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Side 1

  • 01 Preview Dragnet - Ray Anthony & His Orchestra

  • 02 Preview Cops And Robbers - Boogaloo & His Gallant Crew

  • 03 Preview Good Morning Judge - Wynonie Harris

  • 04 Preview Jailhouse Rock - Dean Carter

  • 05 Preview Private Eye - Bob Luman

  • 06 Preview But Officer - Cliff "King" Solomon & His Orchestra, vocal: Gigi Gryce

  • 07 Preview Dick Tracy - The Chants

  • 08 Preview Riot In Cell Block #9 - Vicki Young with Big Dave and His Orchestra

  • 09 Preview Folsom Prison Blues - Jumpin' Gene Simmons

  • 10 Preview Bad Detective - The Coasters

  • 11 Preview Life To Go - George Jones

  • 12 Preview Mr Dillon - The Delacardos

  • 13 Preview 21 Days In Jail - Magic Sam

  • 14 Preview The Prisoner's Song - Hylo Brown

  • 15 Preview Those Private Eyes (Are Watching Me) - Chubby Checker

  • 16 Preview Prisoner's Plea - Billy Boy

  • 17 Preview Next Time (Take 1) - Richard Berry

  • 18 Preview Sergeant Preston Of The Yukon - Ray Stevens

  • 19 Preview Jail Bird - Sonny Knight

  • 20 Preview Bad Dan McGoon - The Cadillacs

  • 21 Preview Framed - The Robins

  • 22 Preview Birmingham Jail - Warren Storm

  • 23 Preview Have You Got The Gumption - Scatman Crothers

  • 24 Preview St George And The Dragonet - Stan Freberg

Delivery & Returns

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We offer free P&P to UK addresses. For all other territories packaging is free and postage is charged on a weight basis.

We use Royal Mail First Class for UK deliveries and standard Air Mail for all other territories, very large orders will usually be sent via parcelforce. You may cancel your order at any time prior to your order being dispatched by emailing us at orders@acerecords.com ensuring that you quote your name, address and order reference number or by telephoning +44 (0) 208 453 1311 between 9am and 5pm GMT/BST, Monday to Friday. Please note: As music downloads are dispatched immediately after purchase, there is no possibility of cancelling these orders.

In the event that any products supplied to you by us are damaged or defective, we agree to replace or repair the damaged or defective products or refund the amount you paid for such goods (including postage & packaging) providing you notify us (either via post at or e-mail: orders@acerecords.com ) and return the goods within 28 days of purchase. Physical goods should be sent back to us in the same condition you received them to: “Returns” Ace Records, Such Close, Letchworth Garden City SG6 1JF, United Kingdom. Music downloads should be returned to us via the e-mail address above including a copy of your notification.

You have the right to cancel your order within seven days of purchase, or seven days of receipt of the goods (whichever is the longer). If you choose to cancel your order, full payment will be returned to you. Returned items should be sent to: “Returns” c/o Ace Records, Such Close, Letchworth Garden City SG6 1JF, United Kingdom. Music downloads should be returned to us via the email address: orders@acerecords.com including a copy of your notice of cancellation and order number.

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