Jock Rock, Vol. 2

Tommy Boy and ESPN were reunited in 1995, when Tommy Boy released Vol. 2 of its Jock Rock series. Like its predecessor, Vol. 2 focuses on a variety of well known rock and R&B smashes that have been used at American sporting events and creates a sports-like ambiance through the use of organ riffs, crowd applause and other devices. Exuberance was a necessary ingredient on all of the selections, and that includes everything from 1950s rockabilly (Jerry Lee Lewis' "Great Balls of Fire"), 1960s soul (Aretha Franklin's "Respect," the Isley Brothers' "Twist and Shout," the Capitols' "Cool Jerk," Sam & Dave's "Hold On, I'm Comin'") and 1960s rock & roll (Sam The Sham's "Wooly Bully," the Kingsmen's "Louie Louie," the Human Beinz's "Nobody But Me") to 1970s soul (War's "Low Rider") and 1970s hard rock (Kiss' "Rock and Roll All Nite"). Another necessary ingredient was accessibility--if a team is trying to excite a crowd immediately, the last thing it wants is a song that's angular and hard to absorb. Whether or not you're interested in sports, Jock Rock, Vol. 2 is a very fun party album.