Four-disc monument to the Killer, containing no filler… What with one thing and another, it took the Grand Ole Opry a while to invite Jerry Lee Lewis to make his debut. Sixteen years, in fact, from his first hits (“Whole Lotta Shakin’ Going On”, “Great Balls Of Fire” ) to finally ushering the Killer onto the stage of Nashville’s Ryman auditorium in January 1973. The high temple of the country music establishment had their reasons for hesitating. Lewis was not known for family-friendly behaviour, unless one counts as such already having three families by this point – one, to the detriment of his box office, with a cousin he’d wed when she was thirteen. But he’d grown up, surely. He was pushing 40. He’d married for a fourth time, to someone old enough to vote. And he was reinventing himself as a proper country singer – he’d had hits with versions of Kris Kristofferson’s “Me & Bobby McGee”, Jimmie Rodgers’ “Waiting For A Train” and Ray Griff’s “Who’s Gonna Play This Old Piano?”. The Opry prepared to formally welcome the black sheep to the fold.
Self-avowed amateur musician Kevin Ayers left Soft Machine because they were too advanced for him. His claim disavowing pop music ran contrary to wanting to make money, and his attitude about writing critical songs flew in the face of his theory that many musical judgments are generally negative. The ultimate flip-flopper beyond the pale of many politicians, Ayers was admittedly a lazy drunk whose disdain for learning technique branded him not only an anomaly, but in many circles charming via an idiot savant persona.
Johnny Rivers' first two LPs – 1964's At the Whiskey-a-Go-Go and Here We A-Go-Go Again, both recorded at the famed Los Angeles club – are compiled on this set, a portrait of the singer at his mid-1960s peak. I first heard the latter of this compilation (Here We A-Go-Go Again) at a friends place back in 1969. His mom had the record and everytime I'd visit, she would let me blare the stereo as long as I'd have Johnny Rivers playing. Some years later I bought both albums for my own and still listen to them today although "Here We A-Go-GO Again" gets the nod. Johnnys crisp guitar and harmonica playing along with Jerry Rubins drums and Joe Osbournes bass gave this trio a great sound.