An album collection that has not seen light of day for a considerable amount of time, unexpectedly raises its head and comes by way of Germany. A collection of rock ‘n’ roll songs therefore, performed in its native German language, Rockin’ Schlager Party Nr. 3 from Atomicat includes a track list of thirty-two tracks compiled by Simone “Doo-Wop Baby” Schütze. The songs selected represent interpretations as well as original compositions of rock & roll music of the 50s and early 60s, and performed in the “schlager” style that has been and remains popular throughout Europe. Not so much a genre but expression defined by catchy instrumental accompaniments to vocal pieces of pop music, often simple in presentation and style and easy-going on the ear, and often with sentimental lyrics. A piece of history from Germany, therefore, and one where German musicians were beginning to let their hair down and express themselves via the genre of rock ‘n’ roll. For those seeking some familiarity, then ideal places to begin are the compelling ‘Mary, Mary Lou’ from Paul Würges, Claus Herwig and ‘Hey, Little Lucy’, to appearances suggesting the epitome of cool arriving with Gus Backus’ ‘Honolulu Baby’, and Little Gerhard with ‘Allright’. Both are attractive numbers, with the latter warranting further investigation with its English version available to hear via other outlets. There are tracks during Rockin’ Schlager Party Nr. 3 offering something else such as interpretation of ‘Rocky Robin’, presented here as ‘Rocky Robby’ and performed by non-German Bibi Johns, who was a Swedish artist performing in German on this occasion. ‘Ich will dich immer wieder küssen’ via Die Missouris is another track that is noticeably different where it is dramatic and moody in one instance, and the next polished and slick with girl backing singers and strings, prevalent of its 60s time period. Overall, Rockin’ Schlager Party Nr. 3 is an exceptional album release with its insight of rock ‘n’ roll from a German perspective, and one that proved popular during its time and will, no doubt, continue to appeal to fans of rock & roll in the present.
Nathan Olsen-Haines (Atomicat)
Gus Backus & Peter Kraus
Das haben die Mädchen gern
Peter Alexander & Bill Ramsey
Immer zieht es mich zu dir (Let‘s go)
Die Missouris
Ich will dich immer wieder küssen (24 Mila Baci)
Little Gerhard
Jung und verliebt (Teenager in Love)
Paul Würges
Mary, Mary Lou
Ted Herold
Carolin (darf ich dein Boyfriend sein)
Bob Franco (Bobby Franco)
Susi
Conny
Holiday in Honolulu
Elias Glas
Wenn du die Sterne am Himmel zählst (If you wanna be happy)
Vittorio
Luna Fortuna
Danny Mann
Mein zweites Ich
Bully Buhlan
Du bist ja viel zu schade (Just Born)
Leroy Van Dyke
Geh‘ nicht vorbei (Walk on by)
Gus Backus
Thank You
Little Gerhard
Allright
Claus Herwig
Hey, Little Lucy
Jack Van Doorn
Das war nicht nett von dir
Conny Quick
Immer mehr (That’ll be the Day)
Das Hansen Quartett
26 Meilen (Santa Catalina)
Bert Suplie
Tinalie (Gingerbread)
Teddy Palmer
Lach’ nicht So (Stuck on you)
Peter Kirchberger
Honey Girl
Conny Quick
Herzensdieb (Bird Dog)
Benny Quick
Denn du küsst so heiss (Just the two of us)
Ted Herold
Hast du fünf Minuten Zeit für mich (Swingin‘ School)
Bobby Franco
Heute möchte ich dich küssen (Your love is a good Love)
John Lamers
Bitte, bleib bei mir (Lover Please)
James Brothers
Hätt‘ ich einen Hammer (If I had a hammer)
Bibi Johns
Rocky Robby (Rockin’ Robin)
Pirko Manola
Bam-Schi-Bam (Who put the bomb)
Ralf Bendix
Edelstein (It’s only make believe)
Leonie Brückner
Sommerzeit (Summerzeit)
Others