AMG Review of Sun Records Story

Steve Leggett
All Music Guide

This three-disc, 84-track collection does a mostly good job of detailing the fabulous history of Sam Phillips' legendary Sun Records imprint, which was launched in 1952, but only mostly, because while it has a wonderful selection of artists and styles, from gospel, blues, and hillbilly to country, Western swing, and nascent rock & roll, from Harmonica Frank Floyd and Howlin' Wolf to Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash, and Jerry Lee Lewis, it lacks tracks (save for a duet with Lewis on "Walk That Lonesome Valley") by the artist who really put Sun Records on the musical map, the one and only Elvis Presley. That's a bit like ignoring the huge, restless elephant in the living room, but other than that, this is a delightful and revealing set.