History of Rock Volume 9

by Various Artists

Full title: Collectables Presents The History Of Rock Vol. 9.

Collectables' ten-volume History of Rock series doesn't have the decades-spanning scope that the title implies; instead, it pretty much stops at the mid-'60s and covers rock's early years, with a few inclusions from the latter half of the '60s. While each disc contains 14 songs that are smartly chosen, it's the type of series that only truly appeals to two kinds of people: those who are looking to own these songs on CD for the first time, and the unfamiliar who want a decent introduction to the era. Highlights on the ninth volume include the Newbeats' "Bread and Butter," Brenton Wood's "The Oogum Boogum Song," the Chiffons' "One Fine Day," Jerry Butler's "He Will Break Your Heart," and Cannibal & the Headhunters' "Land of 1000 Dances." ~ Andy Kellman