Detroit In The 50s Volume 4 digs deep into the Motor City's lesser-known musical history with 30 tracks of rare Rockabilly and Hillbilly from the 1950s. While Detroit is better known for the sounds that would emerge from the city in the following decade, this collection reveals a fascinating earlier scene packed with obscure singers, bands and country-rooted rockers. With artists including Hugh Friar, Roy Rector, Bobby Bernell, Cherokee Chief, Curley Dan, Danny Richards and Rufus Shoffner, this is prime territory for anyone who enjoys digging beyond the familiar names of early Rock 'n' Roll.
The tracklist is packed with genuine curiosities and plenty of character, from Hugh Friar's I Can't Stay Mad At You and Roy Rector's Heard The Back Door Slam through the hillbilly-flavoured Big Chief Yodel by Big Chief Redbird and Steel Wool from Chuck Hatfield. Rufus Shoffner appears several times, alongside Joyce Songer and Speedy Rodgers, while Cherokee Chief delivers both Whose Heart Are You Breaking Now and Mean And Evil Blues. There's also truck-driving country, blues, yodelling, Christmas Hillbilly and plenty of obscure regional Rockabilly, culminating in the likes of One Way Ticket To Tennessee, Get On The Ball and Hill Side Breakdown.
For serious Rockabilly collectors and anyone fascinated by the hidden corners of 1950s American music, Detroit In The 50s Volume 4 is a cracking discovery. These are the sort of names and recordings that reward a little digging, offering a glimpse into the musical landscape that existed before Detroit became synonymous with the Motown sound. With 30 rare tracks spanning Rockabilly, Hillbilly, Blues and Country, this is an excellent addition to any collection devoted to the roots and rarities of American Rock 'n' Roll.
