BCD17589 Vol. 33 Rockabilly & Rock ’n’ Roll CD from Renown & Hornet Records

A label-focused collection brings the rockabilly and rock ’n’ roll sides of Renown Records and its Hornet imprint into one CD. It offers a way to explore recordings from the Carolinas beyond the familiar chart names. Want a deeper look at the music and the labels behind it? Extensive liner notes and discographical information add useful context as you listen.

Pros

Rather than drawing from rockabilly broadly, this compilation centers on Renown’s catalog and selects its most rock-oriented sides. The label was founded by Howard Rambeau in Durham, North Carolina, in 1957, and its wider family included Hornet, REL, and Venture. That focused scope makes the release especially appealing to listeners interested in regional recordings and the independent labels that served teen audiences in the Carolinas and beyond.

The collection includes early recordings by Wayne Handy and Joe Franklin, along with artists such as Lonnie Dee, Joe Franklin & The Hi-Liters, Daryl Petty, and Bobby Strigo with The Blue Notes. More than ten tracks had not previously been released, giving the compilation archival interest alongside its rock ’n’ roll and rockabilly selections. Deluxe packaging, extensive liner notes, and detailed discographical information help connect the music to its performers and recording history.

What to know

This is a Bear Family compilation drawn from the Renown Records catalog and related labels, not a general overview of every rockabilly artist or era. Renown operated from 1957 to 1969 and issued a varied mix of rock ’n’ roll, rockabilly, and country music. The release narrows that larger catalog to its rockin’est sides, so it suits a listening session built around a specific label’s sound and history.

The CD has a listed runtime of 1 hour and 19 minutes. Its liner notes and discographical details make it a good fit for attentive listening as well as for adding archival context to a record collection. Compared with a broad genre anthology, this set takes a more focused route: it gathers artists and recordings connected to Renown and Hornet, including selections that had not been compiled before.

Who it’s for

Rockabilly collectors, fans of regional rock ’n’ roll, and listeners exploring lesser-known recordings from the Carolinas can use this release to follow one label network in depth. It also works well for someone who wants historical detail alongside the music: the notes and discographical information support a more informed listen without taking away from the CD’s central purpose as a song collection. Those discovering artists such as Wayne Handy, Joe Franklin, Lonnie Dee, or Daryl Petty will find them presented within the Renown and Hornet context rather than as isolated names.

Final verdict

Choose Vol. 33 for a concentrated journey through the rock-oriented side of Renown and Hornet Records, with previously unreleased material and substantial printed context. It brings together music, regional label history, and artist information in one CD, making it a purposeful addition for listeners who collect archival rockabilly or want to explore the Carolinas’ independent recording scene.