At Ace Records we enjoy a reputation for putting together collections of the greatest music of the 1940s to the 1960s, with an attention to detail that satisfies the most hard-nosed aficionado while always demanding four or five stars from the industry critics.
However, we are not above letting down our hair and having a little fun from time to time. A lot of the music we find in our specialist fields is of a strictly quirky nature. Whatever genre one digs down into one finds little gems that don't fit in anywhere too tidily. Or they are just downright weird. And when things get that strange, well ... we get interested.
In the tradition established by our previous successes, "The Golden Age Of American Rock 'n' Roll Special Novelty Edition" (CDCHD 980), "Great Googa Mooga" (CDCHD 880), and last Halloween's "These Ghoulish Things" (CDCHD 1070), we present "DEAD!", a compilation that would speak for itself ... if it could!
This collection brings the fan who likes their black humour on the lighter side, the first of a planned 2-volume set of "Death Discs" from the classic era of the late 50s through to the end of the 60s. Included are huge pop hits like 'Terry' by Twinkle and 'Give Us Your Blessings' by the Shangri-Las, both of which straddle the Death Disc and Girl Group sounds. The Joe Meek production 'Johnny Remember Me' shares digital space with 'Tell Laura I Love Her'.
The hit-makers on this set also include the Everly Brothers, Jan & Dean and Bob Luman. In fact, the compilation is so radio-friendly that it's almost impossible to believe that most of the tracks were banned during the less-enlightened time of their release!
Track listing:1. Terry - TWINKLE
2. Give Us Your Blessings - THE SHANGRI-LAS
3. Endless Sleep - JODY REYNOLDS
4. Death Of An Angel - DONALD WOODS & THE VEL-AIRES
5. Condition Red - THE GOODEES
6. I Want My Baby Back - JIMMY CROSS
7. Dead Man's Curve - JAN & DEAN
8. The Drunken Driver - FERLIN HUSKY
9. Johnny Remember Me - JOHN LEYTON
10. Last Kiss - J FRANK WILSON & THE CAVALIERS
11. Patches - DICKEY LEE
12. Once You Understand - THINK
13. The Death Of A Surfer - THE RIVIARES
14. Dead! - CAROLYN SULLIVAN
15. Psycho - JACK KITTEL
16. Ebony Eyes - THE EVERLY BROTHERS
17. Requiem (For A Girl Born Of The Wrong Times) - BETTY BARNES
18. A Beginning From An End - JAN & DEAN
19. Tell Laura I Love Her - RAY PETERSON
20. The Dream - THE FOX
21. Teen Angel - MARK DINNING
22. Mother Mother (I Feel Sick) - THE MARTIN SISTERS
23. The Bed - WALTER JACKSON
24. Let's Think About Living - BOB LUMAN
