The Champs - Go Champs Go! (1958)

The Champs had a huge hit with "Tequila" in 1958 and its raw, loose barroom saxophone riff has kept it a radio, soundtrack, and drinking contest staple ever since. The tune itself was originally a B-side backing the single "Train to Nowhere," and both tracks were recorded by studio musicians for Gene Autry's then-brand new Challenge Records. "Tequila" was the breakout hit, though, and the Champs, at least as a touring group, were born. Go Champs Go is a facsimile CD of their first LP for Challenge from 1958, and it includes both sides of that initial single, as well as a couple of vocal tracks and several attempts to re-create the success of "Tequila" by incorporating loose Latin rhythms in an instrumental R&B setting. Ace has packaged this album together with 1959's Everybody's Rockin' With the Champs (also originally released on Challenge) as a single-disc two-fer, and from a bang for the buck perspective, it makes more sense to go that route, although collectors may prefer to pick up this facsimile version for the sake of completeness.



1.01 - The Champs - Go Champ Go (1:56)
1.02 - The Champs - El Rancho Rock (2:17)
1.03 - The Champs - I'll Be There (2:56)
1.04 - The Champs - Sky High (2:16)
1.05 - The Champs - What's Up Buttercup (2:29)
1.06 - The Champs - Lollipop (2:07)
1.07 - The Champs - Tequila (2:15)
1.08 - The Champs - Train to Nowhere (2:13)
1.09 - The Champs - Midnighter (2:08)
1.10 - The Champs - Robot Walk (1:46)
1.11 - The Champs - Just Walking in the Rain (2:20)