The Dot label recorded all kinds of pop in the 1950s; this 28-track compilation focuses on their hardest rocking sides, most of which are rockabilly or rockabilly-related. Dot didn't really have a "house" sound, and what you get here is a trail mix of obscure '50s, mostly White rock & roll, with only a couple of big hits (
Sanford Clark's "The Fool" and
Nervous Norvus' insane novelty, "Transfusion"). A number of these rarities will have considerable appeal to collectors, like the non-hits by one-hit wonders
Robin Luke and
Ray Sharpe; the raunchy White
Little Richard sounds of Jimmie Dee's "Henrietta" (which was a small hit); a single by
Ray Campi (who really didn't become well-known until he became a rockabilly revival artist decades later); a solo outing by ex-
Cricket Niki Sullivan; a 1958
Jerry Lee Lewis-clone number by future country star
Mickey Gilley; and a rockabilly cut by
Mac Wiseman of the Foggy Mountain Boys. It's solid fodder for the most part, though rather middle-of-the-pack as far as vintage rockabilly goes. ~ Richie Unterberger