LITTLE BANGERS FROM RICHARD HAWLEY’S JUKEBOX VOL 2.

dereksmusicblog ♦ January 30, 2026 ♦ Leave a comment

Little Bangers From Richard Hawley’s Jukebox Vol 2.

Label: Ace Records. 

Format: CD.

Every week, countless compilations are released by record labels worldwide. It’s an extremely competitive marketplace, with record labels hoping that their latest compilation will prove popular and profitable. As a result, many labels are risk averse. 

Rather than release compilations of innovative and groundbreaking music, many record labels play it safe. These labels aren’t run by risk takers and entrepreneurs, and instead, stick to what they know, and release the type of compilations they’ve always released. Hence, each month there’s yet more compilations of Northern Soul stompers, spiritual jazz, girl groups and sixties psychedelia. This it’s hoped will turn a profit for record labels. However, it’s all been done before, and these formats are tired and dated.

There is another way though. Hoping to give the risk averse record label an edge they use the same compilers. Generally, they’re friends of someone who runs the label and they’re male. It’s the musical equivalent of the Masons without the funny handshake.

Often the compiler is a right-on, left-leaning, jobbing journalist. Other times it’s an ageing pop star who is no longer as popular as  they once were. So much so, that they’re not even found at the bottom of the bill at eighties and nineties weekenders held at the less salubrious holiday camps up and down once Great Britain. 

Despite being able to churn out compilations of variable quality, the jobbing journalist and ageing pop star are crashing bores whose compilations only appeal to those that run the label and an ever-decreasing fan-base. This is not the future.

What the bean counters, former barrow boys and history graduates who run record labels fail to realise is that the people who once bought this type of compilation are aging, and no are no longer buying as much, or any compilations or albums. Quite the opposite, many who have retired and downsized are disposing of sizeable collections.

Those that run record labels often forget that a new generation of music fan are buying vinyl, CDs and cassettes. They’ve disposable income and insatiable appetite for music old and new. However, many labels aren’t catering for them. 

The new record buyers aren’t interested in what are essentially hastily compiled cash-ins that are designed to keep labels semi-solvent for another year.

The problem with these labels is that  they only release compilations and albums that the people who run it like. Some owners of small labels only release music they like and are passionate about. Often it’s niche, with a small and decreasing fanbase. Many of these releases will struggle to sell 500 units of vinyl and CD. Some will even struggle to sell 200 or 300 copies. They’re essentially vanity projects, and those who run the labels have little or no business experience. These labels are usually short-lived and loss-making ventures.

All too often, those running record labels can’t place themselves in the shoes of the new generation of record buyers, and certainly don’t know what type of music they like and listen to. Basically, those running these record labels are out of touch.

Look at their release schedule and they’re hopelessly out of touch. They’re still releasing the same type of compilations that they were releasing ten and fifteen years ago. It’s a case of rinse and repeat. Some labels are even reissuing what third-rate compilations from their back-catalogue. It’s lazy and lacks imagination. 

In some cases, record labels continue to release further instalments of a once popular compilation series. By now, Volume 6 or 7 of some compilations can be found on the shelves of record shops. Others, it’s as many 16 and even 21. With each instalment, sales drop and the label struggles or fails to break even. It’s time to put the failing compilation series out of its misery. It would be a mercy killing  but the record label can’t bear to. However, like the punch drunk boxer, they’re willing to give it one more try. 

Then there’s a game of musical pass the parcel. After five or ten years, a different record label licenses the back-catalogue of a small record label. They proceed to release a similar  compilation to one that was released previously in the hope that they’re the winners of this game of musical pass the parcel. 

However, music has changed but those running labels have failed to realise that. That’s why each year, labels fall by the wayside, and in five years time the musical landscape will look very different. That’s unless record labels start to engage with the new generation of record buyers. 

If they don’t, only a few independent labels will be around in five years. Some labels will change and survive and thrive and go on to enjoy longevity.

Cherry Red Records was founded in 1978 and is one on the biggest and most successful British independent record labels. This year, BBE Music is about to celebrate its thirtieth anniversary. Last year, Ace Records celebrated their fiftieth anniversary. Not many labels have enjoyed the same longevity. Especially those competing in the fiercely competitive compilation market. 

As a new year dawns, Ace release their first tranche of new compilations. This includes ‘Little Bangers From Richard Hawley’s Jukebox Vol 2.’ It’s the followup to ‘Little Bangers From Richard Hawley’s Jukebox’ which was released three years ago, in 2023. 

‘Little Bangers From Richard Hawley’s Jukebox Vol 2’ features some of the Sheffield-born  singer, songwriter and musician’s favourite records. Some can be found in the jukebox in his home. The twenty-eight tracks are a mixture of instrumentals and vocal records from familiar faces and what may be new names to some music fans. However, is ‘Little Bangers From Richard Hawley’s Jukebox Vol 2’ a compilation that will appeal to a new generation of music buyers?

Opening the compilation is ‘The Last Race’ by Jack Nitzsche. He wrote this cinematic sounding instrumental which was produced by Jimmy Bowen. It was released as a single by Reprise in 1964. This was early on in the American arranger, producer and songwriter’s long and illustrious career. It’s a good way to open the compilation, and shows another side to Nitzsche’s music.

Another instrumental is ‘Boo Boo Stick Beat’ by Chet Atkins who produced this single. It was released on RCA Victor in 1959, and is a timeless track from a guitar great.

‘Comanche’ by Link Wray and The Wraymen was released by Epic as a single in 1959, and a year later, in 1960, featured on their eponymous debut album. This track is a reminder of a groundbreaking guitarist who was truly talented and an innovator who pushed musical boundaries.

The King Of The Surf Guitar is how the legendary Dick Dale is remembered. In 1962, ‘Jungle Fever’ was released as a single by Dick Dale and The Del-Tones. Later, the same same year, 1962, they released their debut album ‘Surfers’ Choice’ which is the perfect introduction to  Dick Dale and The Del-Tones.

‘Put The Blame On Me’ is a tracks from Elvis’ 1962 album ‘Something For Everybody.’ The album features The Jordanaires. Here, Elvis switches between ballads, R&B and rock ’n’ roll. This track is taken from what’s billed as The Rhythm Side. However, sometimes, the track heads in the direction of  what’s a forerunner of garage rock and shows a very different side of Elvis.

The bluesy sounding ‘Parchment Farm’ by Billy Lee Riley was released on GNP Crescendo in 1966. It’s made to sound like a live record with the sound of an audience overdubbed later. However, listen carefully to the lyrics and Riley sings about killing his wife. He sings: “all I did was drink my wife.” Despite this compiler Hawley says in the liner notes: “but it’s still a great record.” Tell that to the family of anyone whose daughter, sister or mother has been murdered by an abusive partner.

Only fifty copies of ‘Mountain by Sunshine Theatre were released by the Harp label in 1971. This rarity is a driving fusion of garage rock and psychedelia. It’s a welcome addition to the compilation.  

Jet Harris is best known as a member of The Shadows. However, he also enjoyed a solo career. In 1976, he joined forces with other former Shadow Tony Meehan to record an album. This was ‘Remembering… Jet Harris And Tony Meehan.’ ‘Man From Nowhere’ finds Harris taking centrestage on what’s melodically a complex and somewhat strange but satisfying and cinematic sounding hidden gem of a track.

‘Fuzzy and Wild’ was the B-Side to The Ventures’ 1966 single ‘Green Hornet Theme.’ It was released on the Dolton label and produced by  Jack Saracemeo. He play his part in what’s a glorious mixture of surf and rock ’n’ roll.

In the liner notes, it states that ‘Boogie Woogie Bill,’ which was released in 1961 was Billy Joe Tucker’s only single. That’s incorrect. While it was the only single he released in Britain, he also released ‘Can’t You Wait’ in the USA in 1961 and ‘Come A Hick-To-Ma-Hike in 1960. Tucker’s contribution to the compilation is ‘Mail Train,’ the flip-side of ‘Boogie Woogie Bill.’ It’s driving slice of rock ’n’ roll that shows how music was starting to change by 1961.

‘Listen To The Drums’ was on the B-Side of soul singer Richard Caiton’s debut single ‘You Look Like A Flower.’ It was released on GNP Crescendo in 1964, and produced by Dave Bartholomew. This track is an underrated slice of understated mid-tempo R&B that’s a reminder of another musical era.

In 1965, New York garage rockers The Magic Plants released their single ’I’m A Nothing’ on Verve. This stomping, driving single is a mixture of garage rock and proto punk. Much better is the B-Side ‘I Know She’s Waiting There’ where cinematic psychedelia is combined garage rock riffs.

Johnny Todd’s single ‘Pink Cadillac’ was released on Modern in 1956. This car-loving track epitomises good time rock ’n’ roll.

Closing ‘Little Bangers From Richard Hawley’s Jukebox Vol 2’ is ‘Cycle-delic’ by  The Arrows featuring Davie Allan. This trippy epic was the title track to their 1969 album. It finds the groups fusing psychedelic rock with surf and garage rock on one of their finest albums. The track closes the album on a high, and is a tantalising take of this truly talented and groundbreaking group.

If this were an exam ‘Little Bangers From Richard Hawley’s Jukebox Vol 2’ would get a B. The reason for this is the inclusion of some disappointing tracks. This includes Billy Lee Riley’s ‘Parchment Farm,’ The Surf Riders’ ‘I’m Out’ and The Magic Plants’ ’I’m A Nothing.’ However, this is personal taste. Other people may enjoy these tracks. 

Personally, twenty-eight tracks is probably four to many for a compilation. Often the temptation for a compiler is to use up the eighty minutes available on a CD. The result then is often a few disappointing tracks on a compilation. That’s the case here. With four fewer tracks it would’ve been a much better compilation.

The other thing that’s worth mentioning is the liner notes aren’t written by Hawley. Instead they’re as told to Pete Paphides. The majority of compilers write their own liners notes. Having said that, the liner notes are reasonably interesting and informative.

Earlier, I wondered if ‘Little Bangers From Richard Hawley’s Jukebox Vol 2’ would appeal to the new generation of record buyers? I have my doubts. However, some of Generation Z will be interested in the music on the compilation. 

Having said that, Generation Z may see this as a niche compilation, or one for baby boomers wanting to relive their youth. To Generation Z, this may be  perceived as yesterday’s music, the music their parents or grandparents would listen to. ‘Little Bangers From Richard Hawley’s Jukebox Vol 2’ may not be what Generation Z look for when record shopping this weekend. 

There will be an audience for the compilation. It may be that the audience is an older one, the majority of who, were born in the fifties, sixties and first half of the seventies. Essentially, the audience will be music lovers who are fifty and over. Compiler Richard Hawley recently celebrated his 59th birthday. 

Some fans of Hawley’s music may also be interested in the compilation.  However, in the main, I believe those who buy ‘Little Bangers From Richard Hawley’s Jukebox Vol 2’ will be of certain age. It’s a niche compilation that will appeal to an older demographic who nowadays, tend not to buy as many LPs and CDs. Quite the opposite, many are offloading sizeable collections as they retire and downsize. 

Having said all that, those that bought ‘Little Bangers From Richard Hawley’s Jukebox’ in 2023, will have been waiting for the release of ‘Little Bangers From Richard Hawley’s Jukebox Vol 2’ and be interested in this release. However, how many decide to buy copies remains to be seen.

Little Bangers From Richard Hawley’s Jukebox Vol 2.