Album: James Burton, The Early Years 1956-1969 (Ace)

A second volume will take the story up to Elvis and Emmylou but this killer comp covers the rockabilly, trash-pop and country years when Burton, the greatest session guitarist of his generation, made the Telecaster his own – Dale Hawkins and Ricky Nelson leading to the Everlys, Merle Haggard and even Buffalo Springfield.

"The Creep" by The Shadows shows off that trademark choogling boogie, and you also get the best record Elvis never made: "Make Up Your Mind Baby" by Bob Luman.