An eclectic selection of movers and groovers? Check. Covering the decades? Check. Decent sleevenotes from the man himself? Check. A well-ordered set mixing the well-known with obscutities? Absolutely.
On air from 1972-78, Charlie Gillett’s Radio London show was a solid alternative to the pop’n’punk extremes of the time, with Dion, The Coasters and Graham Parker rubbing shoulders with Rosco Gordon, Amos Milburn and Dale Hawkins. The tracklisting reflects the breadth of Gillett’s taste, kicking off with the left-field choice of Jesse Winchester, before diving into a cornucopia of rockers. It all works wonderfully, with The Amazing Rhythm Aces leading into Barbara Lynn, and thence into a demo of Dire Straits’ Sultans Of Swing. The set ends with Manu Dibango’s funky Soul Makossa, leaving you immediately reaching for the play button again. Honky tonk cooking doesn’t get better than this.
