Rockin'

Forever Rockin' is the first genuinely "new" Eddie Cochran compilation to be released since United Artists issued a double LP (now on a single CD) in its Legendary Masters series in the late '70s. The U.K.'s Proper label has compiled a two-CD collection of Eddie Cochran material that is designed to show the complete range of his abilities, as a guitarist, a live performer, and a record producer. Disc one is made up of Cochran television performances from the U.K. in 1960, complete with screaming girls. The material is amazing; there are two different live renditions of "Hallelujah I Love Her So," an amazing crooner version of "Have I Told You Lately That I Love You," and various concert appearances — one of which includes the rawest version of "Summertimes Blues" on tape. Cuts like "I Don't Like You No More," a duet with Gene Vincent on "White Lightnin'," a savage read of Chuck Berry's "Sweet Little 16," and various interview segments make this one of the most indispensable collections of Cochran ever released. Things only get better when disc two is added to this, featuring the only extant rockabilly recordings of the Cochran Brothers (Eddie and Hank, though Hank was no relation), Cochran's session work with Bob Denton and Jerry Capehart, and his production work with Jack Lewis and Derry Weaver. These tracks are around Cochran classics such as "Skinny Jim," "Nervous Breakdown," and "Cruisin' the Drive In." The sound quality is phenomenal, Adam Komorowski's liners are top-notch, and the package is badass. When you figure in the price tag, a double CD for a little less than the price of a single, you have something to treasure and play very, very loudly.