Number of Discs2
Additional informationSwan Records was best-known for recording jumping R&B and rock & roll from teen idols to doo wop groups, both of which are featured pretty prominently on I Dig 'Em All: The Swan Records Story. A double-disc set released by One Day in 2014, I Dig 'Em All concentrates on singles Swan released between 1957 and 1961, a period when Freddy Cannon was the biggest act on the label. His big hits -- "Tallahassee Lassie," "Palisades Park," "Way Down Yonder in New Orleans" -- are here, and they're the only well-circulated hits on the comp. Danny & the Juniors are here, but not with "At the Hop," there are singles by Lee Andrews, plus Dicky Doo & the Don'ts' memorable novelty "Nee Nee Na Na Na Na Nu Nu." There are other Dicky Doo songs here, none quite so good, and there's a lot of other pretty good R&B and OK sock-hop rock & roll, plus the occasional worthwhile left-field rarity like Roy Buchanan storming through "Mule Train Stomp." ~ Stephen Thomas Elrewine