That'll Flat Git It! Vol. 51: Rockabilly & Rock 'n' Roll From The Vaults Of Challenge & Jackpot (Various Artists) - CD

Movie cowboy Gene Autry likely found navigating the complexities of the record business a wee bit more difficult than riding the range and shooting bad guys when he launched Challenge Records in early 1957, but he and his cohorts Joe Johnson, Johnny Thompson, and Dave Burgess managed to amass an impressive array of rock and roll talent at the diskery all the same - as the latest 36-song offering in our 'That'll Flat... Git It!' franchise abundantly illustrates. Naturally, The Champs - the boys that put Challenge on the map with their chart-topping '58 instrumental Tequila - are here with a pair of rockers (vocals, no less) as well as backing their founder, Dave Burgess, on a catchy Maybelle. So are future country stars Bobby Bare with his droll Vampira and Wynn Stewart with a raging Come-On, both originally on Challenge's Jackpot subsidiary. Big Al Downing roars Down On The Farm in front of The Poe Kats, while Huelyn Duvall's five selections include the savage Three Months To Kill. Memphis rocker Kimball Coburn, the somewhat mysterious Kip Tyler, Champs front man Dean Beard, and George Weston check in with stormers, the collection digging deeper for splendid obscurities from Phil Carter, Lee Harris, The Contenders, and The Riptides. There's even room for smooth-piped Jerry Wallace, turning it up a few notches for the romping Good And Bad and With This Ring. Rest assured digging this bountiful set is no challenge to bop to - in fact, you've hit the rocking jackpot!