Crest Records of Hollywood, CA, produced a handful of hits and many more highly esteemed but obscure rockabilly and rock & roll records in the '50s and early '60s. Launched in 1955 with
Tom Wilson's spectacular hillbilly bop call-to-arms, "Can You Bop?," Crest went on to unleash a string of musical pearls that included early recordings by
Eddie Cochran and
Glen Campbell.
Talk About a Party: The Crest Records Story collects 34 Crest Records sides, many of which previously appeared on the vinyl compilations Spotlight on Crest Records and Best of Crest, Vols. 1 & 2. The handful of hits include
Bobby Edwards' country-pop crossover "You're the Reason,"
Tommy Dee's tribute record "Three Stars," and
Glen Campbell's "Turn Around, Look at Me." The obscurities are just as good, from
Tom Tall's "Stack-a-Records" to a unique country novelty by
Tom Reeves, "Primitive Love." The Gee Cees (a play on
Glen Campbell's initials) let rip with the guitar instrumental "Buzz Saw," and the compilation concludes with an assortment of R&B recordings that include
Boogaloo & the Gallant Crew's Top Ten R&B hit "Cops and Robbers." Besides capturing the spirit and inventiveness of a fascinating independent label,
Talk About a Party provides a wealth of rare recordings well mastered from clean discs or the original tapes where available.