Track Listing

1. Summertime Blues
2. C'mon Everybody
3. Sittin' in the Balcony
4. Somethin' Else
5. Jeannie, Jeannie, Jeannie
6. Teenage Heaven
7. Drive-In Show
8. Twenty Flight Rock
9. Skinny Jim
10. Hallelujah, I Love Her So
11. Three Steps to Heaven
12. Cut Across Shorty

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #125315 in Music
• Released on: 1990-09-17
• Number of discs: 1

Amazon.com
Eddie Cochran was one of the 1950s' most talented rockers, so it's pretty hard to go wrong with anything called Eddie Cochran's Greatest Hits. Unfortunately, this budget-priced compilation is typical of the label's output, featuring only 10 tracks. His four most famous compositions--"Twenty Flight Rock" (the song that literally attracted Lennon to McCartney), "Summertime Blues" (which provided hits for both the Who and Blue Cheer), "Somethin' Else" (the Sex Pistols), and "C'mon Everybody" (ditto)--are here. But Somethin' Else: The Fine Lookin' Hits of Eddie Cochran features twice as many songs. And why anyone would want Cochran covering Carl Perkins's "Blue Suede Shoes" or even "Long Tall Sally" at the expense of, say, "Nervous Breakdown" and "Jeanie, Jeanie, Jeanie" is unfathomable. --Bill Holdship

Customer Reviews

sound quality & song quantity hold this one back
I think Eddie Cocran's only real rivals were Buddy Holly & The Johnny Burnette Trio. Cochran deserves a better compilation! This cd does have some wonderful songs, but these aren't even his best twelve. Nervous Breakdown, Don't Ever Let Me Go, My Way(not the Paul Anka penned tune) are just a few that have been left off of this supposed greatest hits collection. The sound quality leaves quite a bit to be desired as well. I realize that we're talking about recordings that are 40 years old here, but I have heard much better sound on other collections. Don't get me wrong, it's not a bad one...especially at this price! I guess my point is this: why buy this when you'll jsut have to buy more anyway. Why not get it right the first time? A good Cochran collection should have a minimum of twenty songs(he had more range than oldies radio would ever lead you to believe). I'd actually recommend a box set, if you can hunt one down. Eddie Cochran was an amazing talent...he deserves the best. Hold out for more songs, better liner notes & better sound quality. If you're short on cash, this will hold you until help arrives, but if you aren't strapped...then demand more! It doesn't get any cooler than Cochran. His edge on Gene Vincent was his consistancy. Cochran lovers should search for a tape called On The Air(I've never seen it on cd). It has interviews live & radio performances and a version of White Lightning w/ Gene Vincent from their ill-fated British tour.

Incomplete look at Cochrane's music
Eddie Cochrane is one of the most underrated and influential rockers of the 50's. Had he lived, he easily would have taken his place with Buddy Holly, Little Richard and Chuck Berry as icons of that era. Considering his tantalizingly brief career, he contributed a number of classics to the rock repertoire. My favorite is the sensational "Twenty Flight Rock," the song that quite literally first attracted John Lennon to Paul McCartney in 1957. (Check out Paul's great cover version of this song on his Russian album). "Summertime Blues" is another outstanding song which is as vibrant as it was when first released 45 years ago.

Eddie Cochrane is sadly under-appreciated today, but this album will give you an idea of his talent and foresight. He wrote his own songs, played a pretty mean guitar and was a pioneer of rock. This is a feel good album and highly recommended. However, the sound quality here is not the best, there are still annoying background hiss on some songs. Also, it's a completely incomplete look at Cochrane's music. If you just want a sampling, this will do, but look elsewhere to listen to his whole repertoire.

Appealing Collection of Big Hits
Though not comprehensive, this CD captures 12 of Cochran's best-known songs, including the big hits "Summertime Blues" and "C'mon Everybody." Serious fans will need more than this CD offers, but Cochran newbies should be satisfied.