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Various Artists - The Hillbillies: They Tried To Rock, Vol. 1 (2014) {Bear Family BCD17350AH rec 1950-1958}
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© 1950-58, 2014 Bear Family Records | BCD 17350 AH
Hillbillies / Rock & Roll / Country / Country Boogie / Rockabilly

At times, the line between country and rock & roll was very thin indeed, but Bear Family's two-volume, 2014 set The Hillbillies: They Tried to Rock presents a familiar story from a different angle: it showcases country singers trying to combat the rising tide of rock & roll. Plenty of the early rock & rollers came up through some manner of country circuit – the Sun stable in particular was riddled with these types – but once Elvis Presley started a streak of monster hits in 1956, major country stars and upstart hillbillies alike tried to ride that wave.

Dear Friend,Remember what it was like “being in the zone?” Doing something you loved, being at your very best and having everything in life going your way? You may believe that was then and this is now, or that “being in the zone” is only temporary… or is only for young people, or just for winners. You might even believe that YOU can never get back there. But you can, and we’ll take you back to the Miracle Zone during the Wellness Revolution. We call it the Miracle Zone because it is where miracles are born.

Conductor Tarmo Peltokoski, signed to the Deutsche Grammophon label at age 23 and promised to be the next phenomenon from Finland, impresses with his debut album offering fresh performances of three familiar Mozart symphonies. Some young conductors burn out, but one may hope it doesn't happen to Peltokoski, who shows impressive control over the Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen in these recordings. The sheer intensity of these readings also may bring the notion of burnout to mind. Other conductors have taken Mozart symphonies at a quick clip, but Peltokoski is close to the fast end of the spectrum, and he takes care to shape intermediate phrases to push the motion forward.

William Christie’s account on Erato is probably now a first recommendation… he has marshalled expert singers; Alan Ewing’s Polyphemus is particularly good, well characterized and spirited. Indeed, the whole performance is full of life and personality, and Christie holds everything together with finesse and grace.