Ace’s highly acclaimed year-by year overview of the great American music that came out in the UK (and elsewhere) on the London label continues apace. The contents of the 1962 volume embrace teen, country, early soul, R&B, rock’n’roll, instrumentals and comedy and accurately sum up the label’s entire output for that year (166 singles in total). Many of the era’s biggest names are featured, and several of the biggest hits. The tracks also demonstrate how American music was adapting itself to the demise of rock‘n’roll in the pre-Beatlemania years in diverse ways. Of the 28 tracks, only four have previously been released on Ace. Additionally, 18 of the tracks are presented directly from the same tapes that were used to manufacture the original London 45s. This is sure to please everyone who bought the previous two volumes. The next volume to be issued later this year, will be our first backward dip as we turn the spotlight onto 1959.
1. (AIN'T THAT) JUST LIKE ME - The Coasters
2. THE LOCO-MOTION - Little Eva
3. A CERTAIN GIRL - Ernie K-Doe
4. I'VE BEEN TWISTIN' - Jerry Lee Lewis
5. HE'S OLD ENOUGH TO KNOW BETTER - The Crickets
6. THE CROWD - Roy Orbison
7. THE SWISS MAID - Del Shannon
8. BIG BIG LOVE - Carol Connors
9. STRANGER ON THE SHORE - The Drifters
10. FREE ME - Robert Knight
11. MONSTER MASH - Bobby "Boris" Pickett & The Crypt Kickers
12. PRETTY SUSY SUNSHINE - Larry Finnegan
13. HERE IT COMES AGAIN - The Chantels
14. WHAT'D I SAY PARTS 1 & 2 - Bobby Darin
15. ECSTASY - Ben E King
16. BUT NOT FOR ME - Ketty Lester
17. JUST A LITTLE BIT SWEET - Charlie Rich
18. DRUMS ARE MY BEAT - Sandy Nelson
19. I'LL WAIT FOREVER - Anita Wood
20. JAMBALAYA - Fats Domino
21. BLUES STAY AWAY FROM ME - Ace Cannon
22. SHE'S A TROUBLEMAKER - The Majors
23. LUCY LEE - Lloyd George
24. PRETTY BABY - Charlie Gracie
25. SHUTTERS AND BOARDS - Jerry Wallace
26. SPEEDY GONZALES - Pat Boone
27. LOVER PLEASE - Dennis Turner
28. IT MIGHT AS WELL RAIN UNTIL SEPTEMBER - Carole King