Dedicated the late lamented Ellas McDaniel a/k/a Bo Diddley, this second Hip-O Select volume of his classic Chess recordings stands as a reminder of how endlessly creative and groundbreaking "The Originator" was. The 52-track volume covers all of his 1959 home and Chess studio recordings, plus half of his first 1960 session. And it shows Mr. Diddley expanding his musical base far and wide, including adding a second guitarist, emphasizing melodies very different than his original blues base, and working on a number of intriguing guitar and rhythm-based instrumentals. There is only one major hit here, the title song, but this volume is a treasure trove of Diddley-ized rare gems - 20 previously unreleased songs or alternates - plus many tracks seeing life on CD for the first time in the U.S. (and sometimes anywhere).

The double CD also includes insightful liner notes by Diddley biographer/discographer George R. White, plus complete track by track credits.