Back in the Day, 1980
Whirlwind
Midnight Blue 12" vinyl
(Chiswick)
Less renowned than fellows Cavan and Graham, Nigel Dixon led Whirlwind as they cheekily straight-razored a spot for themselves in England's late '70s Neo-Rockabilly underworld. At his elbow as he transferred onstage hepkid energies to previously placid studio surroundings, were mates Mick Lewis, Phil Hardy, and Chris Emo; they revved twangy dynamism and sent it flying down midnight bricks.
Like the English/American Rockats, another hot-rodding enterprise of the era (and long beyond), Whirlwind enjoyed acclaim among adherants both slicked-back and spiked. Opening slots with Blondie, the Clash, and Ian Dury's Blockheads were naturals.
Ace Rockabilly no more contains unnecessary notes than elegant charcoal renderings are cluttered with superfluous scrawls. No such excess is to be located, here. Whirlwind members maintained self-assurance, even as they cruised on wheels of ferment. Chorded and pounded jaunts more gingered up could not be blueprinted.
After Whirlwind, Nigel teamed with erstwhile Clash bass-slammer Paul Simenon and Texas-born Blues guitar star Gary Myrick, in Havana 3AM. (Sadly, the singer passed in 1993.) Mick Lewis, whose trim six-string flashings had embroidered Whirlwind's fleet constructions with distinguishment, went on to numerous musical endeavors, including Fine Print.
Recommended: "Midnight Blue," "You Got Class," "Cruisin' Around," "Stay Cool," "Running Wild," "Okie's in the Pokie," "Heaven Knows," "Big Sandy," "Such a Fool," "Nightmares," "If it's All the Same to You," "Stayin' Out All Night"
Videos: "Midnight Blue" "Okie's in the Pokie" "Such a Fool" "If it's All the Same to You" "Don't Be Crazy" (non-LP, live TV)
.jpg)
No comments:
Post a Comment