GRACIE, Charlie Live at the Stockton Globe Schoolkids SKR 1547

Charlie Gracie was Philadelphia's first rock & roll star, the first successful artist on that city's famed Cameo Records, an early regular on American Bandstand, and a skilled rockabilly-style guitarist. He is best known for the 1957 hit single "Butterfly," which rose to number one on the Billboard charts. His popularity was also significant in the U.K. and his lingering influence there is such that his praises have been sung by the likes of Paul McCartney (who covered "Fabulous," one of Gracie's early recordings), George Harrison, Van Morrison and Graham Nash. This album is a real rarity - a live recording of a rock'n'roll show taped in 1957 during Charlie's tour of the UK. The sound quality from a single mic hung over the stage by the stage manager and recorded onto his own tape-recorder, is surprisingly good (despite what Richie Unterberger, who fails to appreciate the historic significance and the state of the art at that time) says elsewhere! Charlie's enthusiasm, his vocal and guitar technique - and ability to deal with a rowdy audience of teddy boys and adoring girl fans - is impressive......................................................................................... Tracks: Ko ko mo - Long tall Sally - Trying - Tutti Fruitti - Flip flop and fly - Sway - Hound dog - Guitar boogie - Butterfly - Ninety nine ways - I love you so much it hurts - Fabulous - Bonus tracks (not live): Ling ting tong - Dream