Bear Family Records has really out done themselves with the "Rocks" series. It includes Connie Francis, Wanda Jackson, Conway Twitty, Sonny James, and now a collection of music from Rockabilly legend Glen Glenn.

This CD is long overdue. Glen is an incredible rockabilly roots artist. He started doing country-western music, but soon found that he had the elements to do Rock and Roll and Rockabilly. It doesn't take long to figure out why Glen's ERA label sides are hailed by rockabilly fans and many newer rockabilly bands—the feel of the music is so clean cut. Glen was blessed with some of the most talented musicians including Ralph Mooney, Connie 'Guybo' Smith, Wynn Stewart, Ernie Freeman, Carol Kaye and the signature guitar work by Gary Lambert.

All the songs have been remastered from the original master tapes. Turn it up and you're right there in the studio. Most of the original ERA sides have never seen a release to CD, and all benefit from this collection's quality production. The selection of alternate takes makes for some very interesting listening, as they often tried different tempos and feels for the same song.

Glen's sides on Dore label see the first release to CD. Compared to my vinyl release of "I'll Never Stop Loving You", the sound on this disc brings new life to the song. The vocal is one of my personal favorites of Glen's. So many great classic songs are presented here, and the liner notess mention that they will release a follow up with live tracks and more alt versions. I'll be awaiting that release as I did this one!

This package captures the essentials, but the CD Missouri Rockabilly 1955-1965 on Dave Travis' Stompertime Records is still a highly needed item in your Glen Glenn collection. Many songs did not see this issue, and I feel many will be missed on the next. The "Glen Glenn Story / Everybody's Movin' Again" on ACE has 14 cuts from 1984 that Bear Family won't release, and the first part of the CD has false starts and great alt takes that aren't available anywhere else. If you are a big vinyl fan, again Stompertime Records has a great 10 inch release called "Missouri Rockabilly 1954-1959" that also features some unique tracks. The new CD is a definitive release, but I wouldn't discard your older reissues by any means.

Glen Rocks includes the best collection of photos, not just for a Glen Glenn release but for almost anyone. Glen has a photo with pretty much everyone from back in the late 1950s including Johnny Cash, Ferlin Husky, Marty Robbins, Carl Smith, Chet Atkins...even Elvis Presley backstage in 1956! Also included are many live stage shots and personal photos as well. The liner notes are by Deke Dickerson, who also wrote a very informative piece on Glen and Gary's guitars. The discography is very complete.

This has to be one of the best vintage reissues in recent memory. If you don't have Glen Glenn in your collection, I'm sure you'd like this. If you are like me and have all Glen's releases to date, there are still so many reasons to include it in your collection. I'm awaiting the second part of this, just as I did this one. Way to go, Bear Family...this release is guaranteed to get "Everybody Movin"!

This review appears courtesy of Rave On Reviews and Johnny Vallis.