Whenever a label rolls out an extensive set like this one -- one that hones in on a specific era and/or style -- it's usually with the hope that casual music fans will be tricked into thinking that, by its imposing multi-disc nature, it's likely to be definitive. Time Life's four-disc
The Fabulous Fifties (a compilation of discs that were also available separately) is hardly the last word on pop music from the decade that birthed rock & roll. Though it does contain a whopping 60 songs, it's far too spotty to function as a one-stop overview. Highlights include
Frankie Avalon's "Venus,"
Harry Belafonte's "Banana Boat (Day-O),"
the Chordettes' "Mr. Sandman,"
Tony Bennett's "Cold, Cold Heart,"
Fats Domino's "Blueberry Hill," and
the Four Aces' "Three Coins in the Fountain."