(1958) Sun LP-1230 Jerry Lee Lewis (Sun Records)

(1958) Sun Records (LP) 33rpm LP-1230 mono ''Jerry Lee Lewis'' *- Digitally Remastered Yellow label. Have circle of musical notes and staff around the entire label, with excepted of the bar wherein "Memphis, Tennessee" appear. The letters SUN with sun rays pressed in light brown at the top of the label. This album featured Lewis's hit "High School Confidential", but for some reason producer Sam Phillips did not include Lewis's bigger hits such as "Great Balls of Fire". Although widely regarded as the headline track, the title "High School Confidential" was not applied to the album. In keeping with an occasional record industry practice of the time (1958) the album was also released in 45rpm format, the twelve songs being divided over a series of three Extended Play (EP) records, Sun EP 108, EP 109 and EP 110 all pictured. The back cover of the LP feature a large picture of Sun Records President Sam Phillips admiring Lewis at the piano in the famous studio at 706 Union Avenue in Memphis, Tennessee. Phillips, then working to promote his latest star Lewis and also wrote the liner notes for the album noting that Lewis "is regarded as the very epitome in rock and roll". The album is currently available on CD, featuring bonus tracks from his first EP, "The Great Ball of Fire" (Sun EP 107). On the back cover, liner notes written by Sun's promotion assistant Barbara Barnes that reads: ''It Probably seems a little unusual for a record manufacturer to write his own liner notes for an artist's album. But in this case, Jerry Lee Lewis's first LP, I want to express personally how proud Sun Record Company is to present this fabulous showman in his interpretations of a variety of songs. Jerry Lee, of course, is regarded as the very epitome in rock and roll. His biggest single sellers ''Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On'', ''Great Balls Of Fire'', ''Breathless'', etc., have been characterized by the big beat and Jerry Lee's natural, uninhibited vocal style. This is the kind of singing which brought him back to the Steve Allen show for an encore one week after his first appearance in the summer of 1957. And it's magnetic performances of tunes like these that make the kids get beside themselves when Jerry Lee plays personal appearances. But even so - Jerry Lee Lewis is very versatile. You'll see what I mean when you listen to this LP. He goes from a wild ''High School Confidential'' (which is from his MGM movie of the same name) to a tender ballad such as ''Fools Like Me'' with no difficulty whatsoever. In fact, Jerry Lee sings a mean ballad. He gives the old folk tune ''Goodnight Irene'' a bluesy shuffle interpretation I'd be willing to bet you've never heard before. Likewise, ''It All Depends'' is given the full Lewis treatment - and if it doesn't move you, you've just got no sentimentality. Jerry Lee's version of ''When The Saints Go Marching In'' will probably strike you as something quite out of the ordinary. Only a southerner, who has attended camp meetings or other revival-type gatherings, can fully appreciate the quality of fervor and abandonment that Jerry Lee gives this selection. Whereas ''When The Saints Go Marching In'' is thought of now mostly as a Dixieland standard, this version goes back to its origin as an authentic fundamentalist religious song. I believe this is one of the finest albums ever assembled - truly showing the limitless versatility and talent of Jerry Lee. Playing and singing for you - here is Jerry Lee Lewis''. Sam C. Phillips President, Sun Record Company May, 1958 Memphis, Tenn. Side 1 SU-123 Contains 1 - Don't Be Cruel 2 - Goodnight Irene 3 - Put Me Down 4 - It All Depends 5 - Ubangi Stomp 6 - Crazy Arms Original Sun Recordings Side 2 SU-123 Contains 1 - Jambalaya 2 - Fools Like Me 3 - High School Confidential 4 - When The Saints Go Marching In 5 - Matchbox 6 - I'll Be Me Original Sun Recordings This 706 Union Avenue Sessions is a non-commercial labor of love and is in no way associated with any commercial activity. All music from own archive and music collections. Use for educational purposes. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Most articles are written by Colin Escott, Martin Hawkins and Hank Davis, referred to as (CE) (MH) (HD). Other liner notes are composed from multiple sources. 706 Union Avenue Sessions reserves the right to remove any comments from our site or various social media platforms at any time. Comments featuring hate speech or otherwise threatening or violent content will be deleted. © - 706 UNION AVENUE SESSIONS - ©