Eddie Cochran - The Eddie Cochran Story

Never too tired to rock

With the exception of Chuck Berry, none of the original rock’n’rollers spoke so directly to their audience as Cochran. Both wrote eloquently about cars and girls, but they also articulated the specific frustrations of being a teenager in a world still overwhelmingly catering to square grown-ups. Was there ever a more prescient lyric than Summertime Blues’ “I’d like to help you, son, but you’re too young to vote”?

The Cochran quiff, his moody manner and surly sneer might have invited Elvis comparisons, but Eddie was his own man, whose tragic early death prompted just as many “what ifs” as Buddy Holly’s. His pioneering spirit and musical curiosity are well served across these 134 tracks, covering early country excursions in tandem with Hank Cochran (no relation), some of the earthiest music a white rocker ever produced, and pure adrenalin blasts that startle to this day.

A sharp wit permeates 20 Flight Rock and Weekend, there’s a cool rebellion to Mean When I’m Mad and Somethin’ Else, and a smooth croon to Sittin’ In The Balcony and Think Of Me. Unless you’re an already committed obsessive, there’s a whole lot of B-sides, out-takes and alternate versions to investigate on these discs, and they’re pretty much all worth the effort.

4 stars 4 stars 4 stars 4 stars

Liberty/EMI | 2677782 (4-CD)

Reviewed by Terry Staunton
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