They were known as when they did the 1951-1957 recordings on this three-CD, 84-song collection. It's billed to with , though, as it's the ultimate collection of sides he recorded as a member of the group for , along with seven tentative secular sides he did for the label as a solo singer in 1956. doesn't sing lead on all of ' tracks, though there are plenty of his leads to hear throughout the set; he shares lead duties with , although by the end of his time in the outfit, was taking most of the solo leads. There's also one cut, on which shares lead with (two alternate versions of the song are also on the set). Even if isn't always the solo lead, however, he's a big presence on all of these sides, which represent both an important summary of his career prior to achieving stardom and a major body of music. While much of the material is (with contributing some originals), the arrangements do evolve, including some drums, organ, piano, bass, and electric guitar at various points. The link between , , and becomes evident to more secular-minded listeners, sometimes strikingly so in 's phrasing, which, even on songs as far back as 1953 ( ), contained clear antecedents to his vocals on his first breakthrough hit, Naturally those antecedents are heard strongest on the seven 1956 solo cuts that represented his first ventures, and although these are on the innocuous side, they're enjoyable foreshadowings of his years. Numerous alternate takes and three 1955 live songs (with good sound) complete the most comprehensive portrait of 's years. Note, though, that the version of -- a Top 20 entry in the wake of -- lacks the overdub on the hit single. ~ Richie Unterberger