Johnny O'Keefe - The Birth of Australian Rock 'n' Roll [3CD Set] (1996)

Johnny O'Keefe was one of the premiere figures of '50s rock & roll in Australia, whose career consisted of recording facsimiles of American rock & roll hits for local consumption, as well as originals in a similar vein. His accent was rarely apparent on his vintage recordings, which were exciting rockers that didn't follow too closely the arrangements of the originals. His own compositions were often excellent; a song such as "Why Do They Doubt Our Love" should have been an American hit. The Birth of Australian Rock'n'Roll is a 75-song, three-disc anthology that is divided thematically. The first disc is devoted to hits, including O'Keefe's rockin' television theme songs and 1974 comeback duet with Margaret McLaren, "Mockingbird." Disc two collects ballads, and disc three compiles rarities (including many of the anthology's best recordings). Most of the tracks are drawn from the late '50s and early to mid-'60s, but a handful of later efforts from the '70s are included as well. A cut above the average American teen idol, O'Keefe was a limited vocalist but an exciting rocker, and his recordings deserve to be heard by American fans of '50s rock & roll.