Jompson Brothers

Over the period covering the end of the 1950s and the beginning of the 60s, the phenomenon of the Everly Brothers, arguably the greatest harmony duo the world has witnessed, who directly influenced the greatest and most successful bands of the 60s and 70s. Don and Phil Everly's love of music began as children, encouraged by their father Ike. Little Donnie and Baby Boy Phil sang on Ike's early-morning radio shows in Iowa.

The Delmore Brothers are not nearly as well-known as such early country giants as the Carter Family, Jimmie Rodgers, Bob Wills, and Hank Williams. The reasons for this, upon close inspection of their work, are not readily apparent. They were one of the greatest early country harmonizers, drawing from both gospel and Appalachian folk. They were skilled songwriters, penning literally hundreds of songs, many of which have proven to be durable. Most important, they were among the few early traditional country acts to change with the times, and pioneer some of those changes. Their recordings from the latter half of the 1940s married traditional country to boogie beats and bluesy riffs. In this respect they laid a foundation for rockabilly and early rock & roll, and rate among the most important white progenitors of those forms.

"The Isley Brothers: The RCA Victor and T-Neck Album Masters (1959-1983)", a monumental 23-disc box set collection chronicling the sonic evolution and abiding achievements of the unprecedented R&B ensemble, The Isley Brothers. Features newly remastered versions of The Isley Brothers' 21 albums, nearly all of which are expanded with rare mixes and tracks making their CD and digital debuts. This box set follows The Isley Brothers through their transformation from a 1950's doo-wop/gospel vocal group into the world's preeminent R&B Rock'N'Soul powerhouse party band. Includes 84 rare and previously unreleased bonus tracks including the "Great Lost Isley Brothers Album" - Wild In Woodstock: Live At Bearsville Sound Studio 1980, a live studio double album now newly restored.

The Everly Brothers were not only among the most important and best early rock & roll stars, but also among the most influential rockers of any era. They set unmatched standards for close, two-part harmonies and infused '50s rock & roll with some of the best elements of country and pop music. In the late '60s and early '70s, their style proved a natural fit for the burgeoning country-rock movement. After a mid-'70s breakup, the duo reunited in the '80s and continued performing together into the 21st century. Their legacy was and is felt enormously by all rock acts that employ harmonies as prime features, from the Beatles and Simon & Garfunkel to legions of country-rockers as well as roots rockers like Dave Edmunds and Nick Lowe (who once recorded an EP of Everlys songs together). Don (born February 1, 1937) and Phil (born January 19, 1939) were professionals way before their teens, schooled by their accomplished guitarist father Ike, and singing with their family on radio broadcasts in Iowa. In the mid-'50s, they made a brief stab at conventional Nashville country with Columbia.

Three artists across three discs celebrating the very best music from the era of Dreamboats & Petticoats. This collection is loaded with original recordings of timeless hits from three of the greatest 1960s groups in The Walker Brothers, The Righteous Brothers and The Platters.

Gold Review by William Ruhlmann
The major label Universal Music is the repository for the recordings the Righteous Brothers made in the 1960s, separately and together, for Moonglow, Philles, Verve, and MGM Records. Universal's Gold reissue series, like Sony BMG's Essential series, consists of two-CD compilations of label artists. The Righteous Brothers scored 22 entries on the Billboard Hot 100 between 1963 and 1974, 21 of which are included here. (The exception is a cover of the Jerry Butler hit "He Will Break Your Heart," which spent one week at number 91 as the B-side of the Top 20 hit "He.") Since the set contains 48 tracks in total, that means the format allows plenty of space for non-hits and album tracks. In the Righteous Brothers' case, it also allows for some of the many solo efforts of duo members Bobby Hatfield and Bill Medley.

With their soaring, Appalachian harmonies and chunky, jumbo acoustic rhythm guitars, The Everly Brothers brought an entirely new sound to Rock'n'Roll, occupying an area where C&W, Bluegrass, R&B and R&R met on equal terms.

The Real…The Isley Brothers is a 45 track hits collection across 3 CDs packaged in a fold out card digipack case. The Isley Brothers Known as the only performers, noted on the Billboard Hot 40 in the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s and the 1990s and 2000s. In 1992, it included in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

The early 50s was a heyday for vocal groups, riding the wave of middle-of-the-road popular music in the Tin Pan Alley-dominated years before rock n roll changed pop music for ever. The Ames Brothers were one of the most popular of those groups, making their US chart debut in 1948, and racking up a lengthy string of hits over the next few years, including memorable No. 1s like Rag Mop, Sentimental Me and You, You, You.