Ramones All The Stuff (And More), Vol. 1 CD

Out-of-print in the US. This outstanding CD includes their complete first two albums, Ramones and Ramones Leave Home, plus a number of B-sides, not released on the original LP's: 'I Don't Want to Be Learned, I Don't Want to Be Tamed', 'I Can't Be', 'Babysitter', and a live version of 'California Sun'. Although their straight-ahead buzzsaw Punk may not raise eyebrows today, when these albums were originally released 30 years ago, they signaled a change in the musical climate and kick-started the Punk Rock movement! The Ramones didn't set out to create a new scene, they just wanted to take Rock back to basics and keep the songs short and catchy without those somewhat distracting guitar solos. Little did they know it at the time but these albums would change the world! 33 tracks in all. Warner.

The Ramones: Joey Ramone (vocals); Johnny Ramone (guitar); Dee Dee Ramone (bass); Tommy Ramone (drums).
Producers: Tony Bongiovi, Craig Leon, Tommy Erdelyi, The Ramones.
Engineers: Rob Freeman, Jack Malken, Ed Stasium.
Includes liner notes by Oedipus.
All the Stuff (And More), Vol. 1 compiles the Ramones' first two albums -- Ramones and Leave Home -- onto one compact disc, adding a handful of B-sides, demos, and live songs as bonus tracks as well. While the music on the disc is terrific and timeless, having both albums on one disc actually dilutes some of its impact, since the records were designed as a relentless rush of brief, speedy songs; in this form, the assault becomes a little tiring, and the distinctions between the two albums -- and they are there -- are lost. Still, these are minor flaws, especially considering that the music on All the Stuff (And More), Vol. 1 is essential for any rock & roll library. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Exploding into the stale vacuum of music in 1976 were four lads from the working-class burg known as Queens, New York: The Ramones! Projecting non-image as image, the Ramones invented worlds with every new song, populating their fantasies with characters like Sheena The Punk Rocker and Suzy The Headbanger. They were successful simply because they knew how to write great rock & roll--all energy, swagger and bravado; no solos, no chops, and no classical themes sprucing up concept albums.
Though Joey Ramone's lyrical concerns often focus on horror movies, there's a song for every occasion, whether you want to sniff some glue, score some horse on "53rd & 3rd," or make out with a "Babysitter." The story goes that The Ramones were originally going to play covers, but discovered it was easier to just write their own songs. In truth, they wrote maybe one or two tunes, then re-wrote them and re-wrote them, creating albums of minimalist anthems and universes out of the same few chords and themes. Keep listening, and soon enough you too will be pogoing down the Bowery, singing "Hey Ho! Let's Go" without a care in the world.