Hank Ballard & The Midnighters Nothing But Good (1952-1962) [2009] (5 x CDs)

HANK BALLARD

Hank Ballard & The Midnighters Nothing But Good (1952-1962) [2009] (5 x CDs)

Everything the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Famer and his vocal group cut for the Federal and King labels from 1952 to 1962. Five jam-packed discs include unissued gems, alternate takes, unreissued rarities, and a demo version of The Twist as well as the classic hit. Featuring the original hit versions.

In rock & roll shorthand, Hank Ballard is the man who invented "the Twist," only to see Chubby Checker steal it out from under him. It is true but it's too simplistic, overlooking his earlier down-and-dirty,very dirty,R&B hits like "Work with Me Annie," how he twisted and expanded his Clyde McPhatter influence into a raw, gritty sound that influenced James Brown, how he and the Midnighters, the group he overtook in 1952, built a body of work that contains some of the best R&B and rock & roll of its time. Ballard embodied his time -- he worked with a vocal group, he didn't necessarily push sounds forward -- but he was a transitional figure because of his earthiness, how his voice dripped with carnality and his music had great, gritty rhythms. All this can be discerned on Rhino's excellent 2003 compilation Sexy Ways, but Bear Family's exhaustive box, Nothing But Good (1952-1962), winds up painting a fuller picture with its details, allowing a greater appreciation for his considerable talents.

That isn't to say that the five discs of Nothing But Good are nothing but good -- there's a fair amount of formative recordings and filler, not to mention novelties, and Ballard was not above attempting to get another hit by copying the last, at one time shoehorning all three of his big hits into one song. Some of this was standard practice for rockers desperate to score another hit, but Ballard enthusiastically embraced sequels and rewrites right from the beginning, cutting a series of answers to his first big hit, 1954's "Work with Me Annie." Within a year, he had "Work Baby," "Annie Had a Baby," and "Annie's Aunt Fannie," and he would repeat this pattern once Chubby Checker turned Ballard's B-side, "The Twist," into a hit. Surely, there's a streak of commercial opportunism more than a mile wide at play, but listening to disc after disc on Nothing But Good, Ballard never seems crass, he seems joyous and alive. His energy and phrasing were a clear influence on James Brown, as was the Midnighters' blend of doo wop, dance, and guitar-driven R&B, one that had strong elements of urban electric blues, best heard on the churning, grinding hit "Look at Little Sister" but elsewhere, like on "I Must Be Crazy." All this apparent comes into sharp relief due the heft of this five-disc set, a box that certainly has a few wrong turns if not necessarily slow spots, for it's all fascinating, often invigorating listening. In fact, the sheer volume of Nothing But Good works in Ballard's favor, proving that he was a tireless, infectious performer whose talents ran far deeper than conventional wisdom suggests. (AMG review by Stephen Thomas Erlewine)

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Track lists

CD1

01 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - I Feel So Blue 2:31

02 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - Are You Forgetting 2:10

03 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - Get It 2:13

04 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - No, It Ain't 2:30

05 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - That's It 2:28

06 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - Hello Miss Fine 2:38

07 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - Someone Like You 2:35

08 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - I Feel That-a-way 2:14

09 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - That Woman 2:01

10 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - Work With Me Annie 2:47

11 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - Work With Me Annie(alt) 2:48

12 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - Until I Die 2:21

13 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - Give It Up 2:33

14 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - Work Baby 2:41

15 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - Work Baby (with Overdub) 2:39

16 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - Sexy Ways 2:30

17 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - Don't Say Your Last Goodbye 2:55

18 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - Annie Had A Baby 2:41

19 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - She's The One 2:20

20 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - Annie's Aunt Fannie 2:51

21 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - Stingy Little Thing 3:01

22 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - Crazy Loving (stay With Me) 3:04

23 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - Tell Them 2:08

24 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - Switchie Witchie Titchie 2:28

25 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - Switchie Witchie Titchie (alt) 2:30

26 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - Why Are We Apart 2:28

27 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - Ashamed Of Myself 3:00

28 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - Ring A-ling A-ling 2:46

29 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - Whatsonever You Do 2:23

30 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - Don't Ever Change Your Pretty Ways 2:31

31 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - We'll Never Meet Again 2:16

32 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - Looka Here 2:37

CD2

01 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - Henry's Got Flat Feet (can't Dance No More) 2:41

02 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - It's Love, Baby (24 Hours A Day 2:52

03 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - Rock And Roll Wedding 2:39

04 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - That House On The Hill 2:28

05 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - Partners For Life 2:59

06 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - Open Up The Back Door 2:58

07 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - Sweet Mama, Do Right 2:42

08 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - Rock, Granny, Roll 2:49

09 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - Tore Up Over You 2:48

10 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - Early One Morning 2:17

11 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - Let Me Hold Your Hand 2:53

12 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - I'll Be Home Someday 3:04

13 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - Ooh Bah Baby 2:44

14 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - Baby Please 2:40

15 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - Come On And Get It 2:37

16 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - Ow-wow-oo-wee 2:27

17 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - E Basta Cosi 2:36

18 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - In The Doorway Crying 2:21

19 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - Let 'em Roll. 2:20

20 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - What Made You Change Your Mind 2:47

21 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - Let 'em Roll. 2:39

22 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - Is Your Love For Real 2:16

23 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - Oh So Happy 2:44

24 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - Daddy's Little Baby 2:41

25 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - Stay By My Side 2:53

26 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - The Twist 2:13

27 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - I'll Pray For You. 3:03

CD3

01 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - The Twist (with Sax Overdub) 2:36

02 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - The Twist 2:36

03 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - Teardrops On Your Letter 2:42

04 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - I'll Pray For You 2:35

05 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - Everybody Does Wrong Some Time 2:15

06 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - Kansas City 2:31

07 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - Cute Little Ways 2:29

08 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - So Good To Be Home 2:48

09 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - Rain Down Tears 2:16

10 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - House With No Windows 2:09

11 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - I'll Keep You Happy 2:25

12 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - She's Got A Whole Lot Of Soul 2:49

13 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - Sugaree 2:53

14 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - Sugaree (alt) 2:52

15 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - Young Lady 2:51

16 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - Move, Move, Move 2:29

17 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - I'm Crying Mercy, Mercy 2:48

18 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - Leave That Fat 2:35

19 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - I Said I Wouldn't Beg You 2:54

20 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - Look At Little Sister 2:28

21 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - I Could Love You 3:01

22 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - Never Knew 2:54

23 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - The Coffee Grind 2:39

24 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - Waiting 2:20

25 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - Don't Go I Love You 2:17

26 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - I Love You, I Love You So-o-o 2:27

27 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - I Must Be Crazy 2:45

28 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - These Young Girls 2:20

29 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - Finger Poppin' Time 2:35

30 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - I'm Thinking Of You 2:54

CD4

01 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - Young Lady 3:25

02 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - Broadway 2:43

03 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - Let's Go, Let's Go, Let's Go 2:24

04 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - I'm Sick Of You 2:32

05 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - Keep On Dancing 2:31

06 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - Keep On Churnin' (till The Butter Come) 2:30

07 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - Goodbye So Long 3:12

08 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - When I Need You 3:01

09 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - If You'd Forgive Me 2:23

10 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - When I Need You 2:53

11 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - The Hoochi Coochi Coo 2:37

12 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - Mona Lisa 2:35

13 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - The Hoochi Coochi Coo (alt) 2:57

14 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - Just One More Chance 2:18

15 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - Summertime 2:16

16 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - I Like To See My Baby 2:29

17 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - Let's Go Again (where We Went Last Night) 3:04

18 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - You Ain't Nothing But Fine 2:48

19 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - Where Is The Love 3:04

20 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - Deep Blue Sea 3:06

21 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - I'm So Crazy About You 2:19

22 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - I'm Young 2:47

23 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - What Is This I See 2:08

24 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - I'm Gonna Miss You 2:48

25 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - Daddy Rolling Stone 2:45

26 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - The Continental Walk 3:39

27 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - The Switch-a-roo 2:45

28 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - The Float 2:55

29 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - I Belong To You (you're The Keeper Of My Heart) 2:12

30 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - I Got A Mind To Leave You 2:25

CD5

01 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - Big Red Sunset 2:32

02 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - Big Red Sunset (alt) 2:35

03 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - Big Red Sunset (alt 2). 2:35

04 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - Can't You See I Need A Friend 2:36

05 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - Nothing But Good 2:43

06 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - Do You Remember. 2:38

07 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - Hello Lover, Goodbye Tears 2:33

08 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - Miss Twister 2:17

09 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - Up And Away (alt) 2:26

10 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - Up And Away (with Woody Woodpecker Voice) 2:12

11 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - Do You Know How To Twist 2:29

12 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - Do You Know How To Twist (alt) 2:27

13 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - It's Twistin' Time 2:34

14 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - Good Twistin' Tonight 3:05

15 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - Get Ready 2:36

16 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - I Want To Thank You (from The Bottom Of My Heart) 2:42

17 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - Your Lovin'. 2:43

18 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - She's The One 2:35

19 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - Dream World 2:31

20 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - Excuse Me (i Think I've Got A Heartache) 2:06

21 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - Autumn Breeze 2:36

22 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - What's Your Name 2:34

23 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - I'm Learning 2:55

24 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - After School 2:10

25 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - Shaky Mae 2:43

26 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - Christmas Time For Everybody But Me 3:02

27 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - I Love And Care For You 2:45

28 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - Santa Claus Is Coming 3:05

29 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - Santa Claus Is Coming (alt) 2:56

30 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - Love, Oh Love (where Can You Be) 2:31

31 Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - Bring Me Your Love 2:40

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