For those who don’t know, Rock On was the king of collectors’ record shops, sited next to Camden Town tube. It was the sort of place where musicians and fans alike would share their passion for rare vinyl, and find items for a couple of pounds that are now worth many times that. The sleevenotes tell the full story with good humour and in-depth knowledge, and these alone are worth the price of admission for those of us who were lucky to enjoy the atmosphere of Rock On.
The music presented here is a cross-section of the many genres that attracted fans to the store, and includes Amos Milburn, Slim Harpo and Charlie Feathers, through to The Shangri-Las and The Flamin’ Groovies by way of The Ikettes, Joe Tex and Link Wray. The tracks are particularly well chosen, ordered and annotated, with the collection also neatly doubling as an Ace records sampler – unsurprising when we know how the Ace empire rose from the Rock On shop. Previous customers will love it all, and anyone who never made it there is unreservedly recommended to make the trip via this fine issue.
