Graded on a Curve: Sun Records 70th Anniversary Reissues

2022 marks the 70th anniversary of the birth of Sun Records. The label was founded in Memphis, Tennessee by Sam Philips. The independent label essentially put rock ‘n’ roll on the map and launched the careers of some of the most important rock ‘n’ roll, blues, country, and R&B artists. It was the label’s rock ‘n’ roll recordings of Carl Perkins, Roy Orbison, Jerry Lee Lewis, and especially Elvis Presley, among others, that forever enshrined the label in popular music history. To mark the label’s anniversary, a wide variety of albums are being reissued on 180-gram vinyl and in most cases have been curated by Chris Isaak. The albums are also very affordably priced, with beautiful era packaging.

A great place to start for the novice is Sun Records’ 70th Anniversary Compilation, Vol. 1. The album is curated by Chris Isaak and includes his liner notes. This album gives a fine overview of groundbreaking, legendary, and popular Sun artists, including the aforementioned, along with Johnny Cash, Patti Page and others. Staples of the foundation of rock ‘n’ roll are here, such as “Mystery Train” from Little Junior’s Blue Flames and “Breathless” by Jerry Lee Lewis, along with country classics like “I Walk the Line” and “Folsom Prison Blues” from Johnny Cash. The album does not include any of the music Elvis recorded for Sun, which occurred before he signed with RCA.

Other than maybe Johnny Cash, the Sun artist whose career lasted the longest was Roy Orbison. Orbison’s voice and the accompanying production have made his recordings some of the most beloved in popular music history. His rebirth and eventually joining the Traveling Wilburys attest to his timeless music and the respect he commands among musicians. The Original Sound, released in 1969, is one of Orbison’s more obscure albums, but it includes such classics as “Ooby Dooby.” While the album came at a stage in his career when the hippie rock culture was ascending and his influence and popularity were waning, it’s still an excellent album and one worthy of such a well-conceived reissue. This reissue includes liner notes by Orbison’s son Alex.

Like Roy Orbison, Carl Perkins had a long career and his influence on other musicians is incalculable. George Harrison of The Beatles was heavily influenced by the way Perkins played guitar. Perkins is perhaps the most important rockabilly artist in popular music history. Perkins was also a member of the famed Million Dollar Quartet, with Elvis, Cash, and Lewis. The King of Rockabilly is a collection of his hits, including an alternate version of “Honey Don’t,” famously covered by The Beatles. “Matchbox” and “Blue Suede Shoes,” also covered by The Beatles, are included here as well. This reissue includes liner notes by Carl’s son Stan Perkins.

Often overlooked as a Sun artist, Jeannie C. Riley scored a massive number-one hit on the country and pop charts with “Harper Valley PTA” in 1968 and the song won the Grammy for single of the year. This reissue, of her second album and her second of 1968, is mastered from the original mono tapes, although the packaging indicates stereo. It also includes the bonus track “Yesterday All Day Long.”

The cream of these five reissues is Color Me Country from Linda Martell, her one and only album released in 1970. This reissue, limited to 2,000 copies, is pressed on orange vinyl, remastered from the original analog tapes and marks the first appearance of the album on vinyl in more than 50 years. Martell was a groundbreaking country artist. While Charley Pride seemingly by himself broke the color barrier in popular country music, Martell became the first black female country artist to have success and play the Grand Ol Opry. Her sound was straight country with few frills, but her extraordinarily powerful voice never strained and she didn’t need to overemote. There is an honesty and joy to her vocal style that belies the commercial country of that period and her hard-fought struggle to be accepted by the country community. Check out her cover of “Color Him Father,” which was a huge hit for The Winstons. This is one of the best single-album reissues of the year.