Dave Appell and the Applejacks - Mexican Hat Rock, 1954-1962

Cat. no: JASCD1102
Format: CD
Barcode: 604988110227
Release Date: 4th June 2021
Genre: Rock & Roll

A Philadelphia-born guitarist with a strong empathy for Jazz, whose career as a professional musician stretched back to the late 1930s, Dave Appell carved out an unlikely career in Rock’n’Roll as an arranger, bandleader, musical director and producer.

His name remains wholly synonymous with the Cameo-Parkway group of labels, for whom he wrote, arranged and produced countless hit records, for artists like Charlie Gracie, Chubby Checker, Bobby Rydell, The Dovells, Dee Dee Sharp, etc. However, several of his own - predominately instrumental - 45s, on which he was billed in various guises of The Applejacks, enjoyed success in their own right.

This compilation presents the very best of Appell’s own releases between 1954-1962 and includes all his significant hits, most notably the million-selling ‘Mexican Hat Rock’ and its follow-ups, ‘Rocka-Conga’ and ‘Bunny Hop’. Many of these sides are rare collectors’ items, and are impossible to find elsewhere on CD.

Tracks: Smarter / Sweet Patootie Pie / Ookey Ook / Ring Around My Baby / The Love Express / Teenage Meeting (Gonna Rock It Up Right) / Ooh, Baby, Ooh / The Rock And Roll Story / Country Dance / Applejack / Love In The Jungle / Chitter Chatter Baby / No Name Theme / Dinner With Drac (Background Theme) / Mexican Hat Rock / Stop! Red Light! / Rocka-Conga / Am I Blue / Bunny Hop / Night Train Stroll / Circle Dance / Love Scene / Theme From The Untouchables / Memories Are Made Of This / Theme From The Young Ones / September Song / Mexican Hat Twist / Let’s Continental / Cherry Valley / Happy Jose / Noivous / Struttin’ In The Summertime / Any Time