Various Rock & Roll Bell Ringers

(2005/ACE) 26 tracks with 12 page booklet. The debut reissue of the 1950s Rock 'N' Roll cover versions from Bell Records of New York including an early cut by Simon & Garfunkel (as Tom & Jerry). Bell is famed for its pop and soul recordings in the 1960s, but this is where it started, as a budget hits label. We have carefully selected the best Rock 'N' Roll cuts, many of them in the classic jiver mould. Although the releases were budget priced, there was nothing cheap about the productions, which featured calibre artists such as Edna McGriff, Barry Frank and Buddy Lucas. They were backed by some of New York's finest session men including guitarists Al Caiola and Billy Mure, also the Sy Oliver Orchestra.