VA - That'll Flat ... Git It! Vol. 17: Rockabilly From The Vaults Of Sun Records (2000)

This is Bear Family's third trip through the Sun rockabilly vaults (see also Volumes 14 and 16 of 'That'll Flat Git It'). Once again, we are emphasizing the lesser known artists and tracks. In fact, despite the ever-growing number of Sun collections out there, we are pleased to point out that approximately two thirds of the tracks included on this set are being released for the first time anywhere. The remaining selections represent some of the best alternate takes and rarities that have not been reissued to death in the ever-widening scope of Sun archaeology.

As we noted on Volume 14, it is again worth pointing out that not everything here was recorded at 706 Union Avenue, although it is fair to say that everything here was inspired directly by the music that was. About half the tracks we've selected qualify as demos - music made by southern boys who spent much of their spare time singing in the shower and looking in the mirror, convincing themselves that a little of that Sun magic was all they needed to become household names. After all, what did that boy from Tupelo have that they couldn't equal?

These demos provide a glimpse of the thousands of recordings that flooded into Sun during the mid- to late-'50s. In some cases, these demos reveal the original version of a song later recorded by another artist. In other cases, we can appreciate the demo as a showcase for one of the Elvis or Jerry Lee wannabees who hoped to interest Sam Phillips in their performing or songwriting talents.

When listening to these demos, all of which still reside in the Sun tape vaults, it is worth remembering that in just about every case, these same artists went on to record for other companies. It is probably fair to say that having their names on those other labels was quite an accomplishment in their young lives (and is probably still something they talk about.) But how much sweeter it would have all been to see their name on one of those yellow 45s from Memphis. (Hank Davis, Bear Family Records 2000)

Every CD would be for the most part a 30 song jukebox of the finest Rockabilly ever recorded for all the great labels. We sourced the very best sounding tapes and took them to the best mastering engineers, and then we took the packaging to a new level. We adopted the catchphrase of the first Rockabilly dee-jay, Dewey Phillips, 'That'll Flat Git It!'.

We looked for previously unpublished photos, and tried to find all the artists who'd never been found before.
The result is a truly definitive Rockabilly series.