Lonnie Donegan - Rock Island Line: The Singles Anthology 1955-1967 (Remastered) (2002)

Full Title - Rock Island Line - The Singles Anthology 1955-1967. The first comprehensive singles anthology for the UK musical pioneer. 86 tracks across three CDs (slimline) in a slipcase box, many appearing on CD for the first time. All Lonnie's A & B-sides between 1955-67, including his very first hit 'Rock Island Line'. The first time his Decca & Pye recordings have been compiled in the same package. More than 30 UK hits, including three UK #1s. Castle. 2002.

For most listeners, the three-disc, 86-track Sanctuary/Castle collection Rock Island Line: The Singles Anthology 1955-1967 will be nearly as overwhelming as the eight-disc, all-encompassing Bear Family box More Than "Pye in the Sky," since a little Lonnie Donegan can go a long way for the average listener. But, for those who decide to dig into this collection, they'll quickly discover that he was a remarkably consistent performer and a little more diverse than his skiffle origins would suggest. Skiffle might have been a bit of a straightjacket -- it had very rigid rhythmic rules -- but Donegan acted more like a folksinger anyway, using skiffle as his foundation and then delving into American folk and country, blues, and a little bit of gospel. He was a good singer and a lively performer, navigating these changes rather easily, and while there wasn't necessarily great development over the years, there was consistency. So, if you decide that you need a comprehensive Lonnie Donegan collection that is nevertheless not entirely complete, this is an excellent choice, but do be forewarned: If you're not already converted, a little of this does go a long way.

Disc 1 (01:18:32)
1. Rock Island Line (02:29)
2. John Henry (02:08)
3. Diggin' My Potatoes (03:12)
4. Bury My Body (03:10)
5. Lost John (02:45)
6. Stewball (02:13)
7. Bring A Little Water, Sylvie (02:29)
8. Dead Or Alive (02:35)
9. Don't You Rock Me Daddy-O (01:44)
10. I'm Alabammy Bound (01:53)
11. Cumberland Gap (02:01)
12. Love Is Strange (02:57)
13. Gamblin' Man (03:21)
14. Puttin' On The Style (03:39)
15. My Dixie Darling (03:06)
16. I'm Just A Rollin' Stone (04:13)
17. Jack O'Diamonds (02:51)
18. Ham 'n' Eggs (03:22)
19. The Grand Coolie Dam (02:41)
20. Nobody Loves Like An Irishman (02:46)
21. Sally, Don't You Grieve (02:15)
22. Betty, Betty, Betty (03:05)
23. Lonesome Traveller (02:55)
24. Times Are Getting Hard, Boys (02:47)
25. Lonnie's Skiffle Party (Part 1) (03:03)
26. Lonnie's Skiffle Party (Part 2) (02:57)
27. Tom Dooley (03:22)
28. Rock O' My Soul (02:33)

Disc 2 (01:18:02)
1. Does Your Chewing Gum Lose Its Flavour (02:47)
2. Aunt Rhody (The Old Grey Goose) (02:28)
3. Fort Worth Jail (02:16)
4. Whoa Buck (Whoa Back, Buck) (02:12)
5. Battle Of New Orleans (03:13)
6. Darling Corey (02:13)
7. Kevin Barry (03:02)
8. My Laggan Love (01:49)
9. Sal's Got A Sugar Lip (02:27)
10. Chesapeake Bay (02:34)
11. San Miguel (01:59)
12. Talking Guitar Blues (02:01)
13. My Old Man's A Dustman (03:22)
14. The Golden Vanity (02:35)
15. I Wanna Go Home (The Wreck Of The John "B") (02:41)
16. Jimmy Brown The Newsboy (02:39)
17. Lorelei (02:07)
18. In All My Wildest Dreams (02:49)
19. Lively! (03:21)
20. Black Cat (Cross My Path Today) (02:37)
21. Virgin Mary (02:20)
22. Beyond The Sunset (02:30)
23. (Bury Me) Beneath The Willow (02:20)
24. Leave My Woman Alone (02:29)
25. Have A Drink On Me (02:53)
26. Seven Daffodils (Seven Golden Daffodils) (03:06)
27. Michael Row The Boat (02:30)
28. Lumbered (03:04)
29. The Comancheros (02:07)
30. Ramblin' 'Round (03:31)

Disc 3 (01:15:43)
1. The Party's Over (02:42)
2. Over The Rainbow (03:24)
3. I'll Never Fall In Love Again (03:45)
4. Keep On The Sunny Side (02:40)
5. Pick A Bale Of Cotton (02:32)
6. Steal Away (02:23)
7. The Market Song (04:05)
8. Tit Bits (03:24)
9. Losing By A Hair (02:40)
10. Trumpet Sounds (02:58)
11. It Was A Very Good Year (03:09)
12. Rise Up (01:51)
13. Lemon Tree (02:58)
14. I've Gotta Gal So Fine (02:24)
15. 500 Miles Away From Home (02:43)
16. This Train (02:28)
17. Beans In My Ears (02:41)
18. It's A Long Road To Travel (02:09)
19. Fisherman's Luck (02:43)
20. There's A Big Wheel (01:59)
21. Get Out Of My Life (02:43)
22. Won't You Tell Me (02:30)
23. Louisiana Man (02:01)
24. Bound For Zion (01:53)
25. World Cup Willie (02:46)
26. Where In The World Are We Going (02:47)
27. Auntie Maggie's Remedy (02:13)
28. (Ah) My Sweet Marie (03:12)