Rockin' Around the World
Encyclopedia
Rockin' Around the World was the sixth album of rock and roll
music by Bill Haley and His Comets. Released in March 1958 on the Decca Records
label, Decca 8692, the album was produced by Milt Gabler
, who produced all of Haley's recordings for Decca. It was the second of three "themed" albums that Haley produced for the label. This time the theme was to incorporate or interpolate snippets of folk songs from countries around the world into new rock and roll songs written primarily by Bill Haley. Some of the songs, however, were arrangements or adaptations of the entire folk or popular song such as "Come Rock With Me", with new lyrics written by Bill Haley. For example, snippets from "London Bridge is Falling Down
" were incorporated into the new rock and roll composition "Piccadilly Rock". Most of the tracks quoted from or interpolated snippets from public domain
folk songs, which were incorporated into the new compositions by Bill Haley and his songwriting partners, Milt Gabler, Rusty Keefer, and Catherine Cafra. Also included was a version or arrangement or adaptation of Waltzing Matilda
" (renamed "Rockin' Matilda"), with new lyrics written by Bill Haley; another song, "Come Rock With Me", with new lyrics written by Bill Haley, was based upon "'O Sole Mio
", which would also later form the basis of the Elvis Presley
hit, "It's Now or Never
".
No hit singles resulted from this album, although Haley later re-recorded one track, "Vive la Rock and Roll", which incorporated sections from Frère Jacques
, in a duet with Catarina Valente. "Vive la Rock and Roll" appeared in the 1959 German movie Hier bin ich - hier bleib' ich (Here I Am, Here I Stay) released by Central Cinema Company Film (CCC) which also starred Hans Holt and Ruth Stephan. Haley's steel guitar
player, Billy Williamson, performs lead vocals on one track, "Jamaica D.J."
Rock and roll
Rock and roll is a genre of popular music that originated and evolved in the United States during the late 1940s and early 1950s, primarily from a combination of African American blues, country, jazz, and gospel music...
music by Bill Haley and His Comets. Released in March 1958 on the Decca Records
Decca Records
Decca Records began as a British record label established in 1929 by Edward Lewis. Its U.S. label was established in late 1934; however, owing to World War II, the link with the British company was broken for several decades....
label, Decca 8692, the album was produced by Milt Gabler
Milt Gabler
Milton Gabler was an American record producer, responsible for many innovations in the recording industry of the 20th century.-Early life:...
, who produced all of Haley's recordings for Decca. It was the second of three "themed" albums that Haley produced for the label. This time the theme was to incorporate or interpolate snippets of folk songs from countries around the world into new rock and roll songs written primarily by Bill Haley. Some of the songs, however, were arrangements or adaptations of the entire folk or popular song such as "Come Rock With Me", with new lyrics written by Bill Haley. For example, snippets from "London Bridge is Falling Down
London Bridge is Falling Down
"London Bridge Is Falling Down" is a well-known traditional nursery rhyme and singing game, which is found in different versions all over the world. It has a Roud Folk Song Index number of 502.-Lyrics:...
" were incorporated into the new rock and roll composition "Piccadilly Rock". Most of the tracks quoted from or interpolated snippets from public domain
Public domain
Works are in the public domain if the intellectual property rights have expired, if the intellectual property rights are forfeited, or if they are not covered by intellectual property rights at all...
folk songs, which were incorporated into the new compositions by Bill Haley and his songwriting partners, Milt Gabler, Rusty Keefer, and Catherine Cafra. Also included was a version or arrangement or adaptation of Waltzing Matilda
Waltzing Matilda
"Waltzing Matilda" is Australia's most widely known bush ballad. A country folk song, the song has been referred to as "the unofficial national anthem of Australia"....
" (renamed "Rockin' Matilda"), with new lyrics written by Bill Haley; another song, "Come Rock With Me", with new lyrics written by Bill Haley, was based upon "'O Sole Mio
'O Sole Mio
"O sole mio" is a globally known Neapolitan song written in 1898. The lyrics were written by Giovanni Capurro and the melody was composed by Eduardo di Capua. Though there are versions in other languages, "'O sole mio" is usually sung in the original Neapolitan language...
", which would also later form the basis of the Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....
hit, "It's Now or Never
It's Now or Never (song)
"It's Now or Never" is a popular song recorded by Elvis Presley and published by Gladys Music, Elvis Presley's publishing company, in 1960. The melody of the song is adapted from the Italian standard, "'O Sole Mio", but the inspiration for it came from the song, "There's No Tomorrow", recorded by...
".
No hit singles resulted from this album, although Haley later re-recorded one track, "Vive la Rock and Roll", which incorporated sections from Frère Jacques
Frère Jacques
"Frère Jacques" , in English sometimes called "Brother John" or "Brother Peter", is a French nursery melody. The song is traditionally sung in a round. When the first singer reaches the end of the first line the next person starts at the beginning...
, in a duet with Catarina Valente. "Vive la Rock and Roll" appeared in the 1959 German movie Hier bin ich - hier bleib' ich (Here I Am, Here I Stay) released by Central Cinema Company Film (CCC) which also starred Hans Holt and Ruth Stephan. Haley's steel guitar
Steel guitar
Steel guitar is a type of guitar or the method of playing the instrument. Developed in Hawaii in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a steel guitar is usually positioned horizontally; strings are plucked with one hand, while the other hand changes the pitch of one or more strings with the use...
player, Billy Williamson, performs lead vocals on one track, "Jamaica D.J."
Track listing
All songs written by Bill Haley, Milt Gabler, Rusty Keefer, and Catherine Cafra except where noted.- Pretty AlouetteAlouette (song)"Alouette" is a popular French Canadian children's song originating in France about plucking the feathers from a lark. Although it is in French, it is well-known among speakers of other languages; in this way it is similar to "Frère Jacques"...
(Traditional) - Me Rock-a-HulaHawaiian War Chant"Hawaiian War Chant" was an American popular song whose original melody and lyrics were written in the 1860s by Prince Leleiohoku. The original title of the song was Kaua I Ka Huahua`i or "We Two in the Spray." It was not written as a chant, and the Hawaiian lyrics describe a clandestine meeting...
- Wooden Shoe Rock
- Vive la Rock and Roll
- Come Rock With Me'O Sole Mio"O sole mio" is a globally known Neapolitan song written in 1898. The lyrics were written by Giovanni Capurro and the melody was composed by Eduardo di Capua. Though there are versions in other languages, "'O sole mio" is usually sung in the original Neapolitan language...
(Arranged with new lyrics by Bill Haley, Milt Gabler, Rusty Keefer, Catherine Cafra) - Jamaica D.J.
- Piccadilly RockLondon Bridge is Falling Down"London Bridge Is Falling Down" is a well-known traditional nursery rhyme and singing game, which is found in different versions all over the world. It has a Roud Folk Song Index number of 502.-Lyrics:...
- Rockin' MatildaWaltzing Matilda"Waltzing Matilda" is Australia's most widely known bush ballad. A country folk song, the song has been referred to as "the unofficial national anthem of Australia"....
(Andrew Banjo PatersonBanjo PatersonAndrew Barton "Banjo" Paterson, OBE was an Australian bush poet, journalist and author. He wrote many ballads and poems about Australian life, focusing particularly on the rural and outback areas, including the district around Binalong, New South Wales where he spent much of his childhood...
, Marie Cowan) - Rockin' Rollin' SchnitzelbankSchnitzelbank- German meaning :Schnitzelbank literally means "scrap bench" or "chip bench" , in English known as a shaving horse. It is a woodworking tool used in Germany prior to the industrial revolution...
(Traditional) - Rockin' Rita
- El Rocko
Personnel
- Bill HaleyBill HaleyBill Haley was one of the first American rock and roll musicians. He is credited by many with first popularizing this form of music in the early 1950s with his group Bill Haley & His Comets and their hit song "Rock Around the Clock".-Early life and career:...
– rhythm guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, vocals on all but 6 - Franny BeecherFranny BeecherFrancis "Franny" Beecher , also known as Frank Beecher, was lead guitarist for Bill Haley & His Comets from 1954 to 1962, and is best remembered for his innovative guitar solos combining elements of country music and jazz...
– lead guitar - Billy Williamson – steel guitarSteel guitarSteel guitar is a type of guitar or the method of playing the instrument. Developed in Hawaii in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a steel guitar is usually positioned horizontally; strings are plucked with one hand, while the other hand changes the pitch of one or more strings with the use...
, vocals on 6 - Johnny GrandeJohnny GrandeJohn A. Grande , better known as Johnny Grande, was a member of Bill Haley's backing band, The Comets.-Life and Career:...
– pianoPianoThe piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal... - Al Rex – bassDouble bassThe double bass, also called the string bass, upright bass, standup bass or contrabass, is the largest and lowest-pitched bowed string instrument in the modern symphony orchestra, with strings usually tuned to E1, A1, D2 and G2...
- Ralph Jones – drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
- Rudy PompilliRudy PompilliRudy Pompilli in Chester, Pennsylvania on April 16, 1924 — died February 5, 1976) was an American musician best known for playing tenor saxophone with Bill Haley and His Comets.-Biography:...
- tenor saxophoneTenor saxophoneThe tenor saxophone is a medium-sized member of the saxophone family, a group of instruments invented by Adolphe Sax in the 1840s. The tenor, with the alto, are the two most common types of saxophones. The tenor is pitched in the key of B, and written as a transposing instrument in the treble... - Joe Olivier - second guitar