DC Larson's JUKEBOX JURY: Western Star

Showing posts with label Western Star. Show all posts

Sunday, May 17, 2026

The Holloway Echoes

Carry On Echoing

(Western Star)

Sporting drape coats and beetle-crushers, with high spirits their commonality, credentialed Teds bound onstage.

The contrast between eminently dispatched, grand musicality and japes that, on occasion, prompt blushing, mark proceedings. Lead-off cut "All Asses Must Be Shown" is a ribald tale, fondling the Camping entry in the Carry On laugh-escapade movie bunch. Felicitous blonde Babs is touched upon as banjo strikes up rousing merriment, and group singalong wreathes all in smiles.

Jolly tone having been set, tagalong cuts span stately (and frequently back-slappingly waggish) passages. Pop sunniness, Skiffle, and music hall cavortings are numbered amongst. Evidence abounds that while jesters every inch, these spiffily attired gentlemen (including Pat Winn and Alan Wilson) know their instruments up the avenue and home again.

Recommended: "All Asses Must Be Shown," "Brylcreem," "The Law Must Take It's Course," "Charlie's World," "This is a Melody of Guitars and Bells," "50s Fred (The Monoped Ted)," "Gripper," "Watch My Records Play," "The Third Earl of Harrow," "Take Me Back," "Cox's Creepers," "Last Orders," "Be Right Yet Left"

Videos: "All Asses Must Be Shown" "Brylcreem" "This is a Melody of Guitars and Bells" "50s Fred (the Monoped Ted)" "Gripper"

Sunday, March 29, 2026

The Coal Dust Cowboys

Beneath the Old Slag Heap

(Western Star)

Quite what could be anticipated from spry-rattling Stage Frite refugees Steve D'Ath, Joe Mason, and Clive Perchard, plus erstwhile Shark/present Western Star major domo Alan Wilson. By which is meant rangy, trad-bent Psycho, boasting equal quantities jocularity, merry rashness, and snickered smuttiness. Surprise springs when sensitivity makes respectful cameo. In its brief wake, though, jolly madness returns at fun gallop. And all is well, in haunts of quiff and razor.

Recommended: "The Jolly Collier," "Resurrection Men," "Waffle Stomp," "Hard Love," "Porn in the Woods," "Three-Holed Electric Love Doll," "You're My World," "Creeper Van," "I've Had Enough of You," "Dead Man's Drape"

Videos: "The Jolly Collier" "Resurrection Men" "You're My World" "Porn in the Woods"

Wednesday, January 21, 2026

The Wolftones

Pentonville Road

(Western Star)

These audio slices wouldn't be of such slapback weightiness - as they indeed are - were it not for players' sure-heartedness - which roars on all avenues. Laid out are giddyup examples of kat stalwartness capable of "cutting ten onions into a hundred pieces, without crying a tear," as Black Knight Tom Powder once boasted. Add in that, along with fiercely-knuckled originals that locate the heptitudes potential in disparate tempos, the amplified agitators dash off distinctive swaying of Mr. Link's calling card. (Don protective gear.)

Recommended: "Broken Heart," "Pentonville Road," "Lone Wolf Rumble," "Say Baby," "Weeden's Wig-Out," "Workin' Man," "Red Hot & Throbbin'"

Videos: "Pentonville Road" "Lone Wolf Rumble" "Weeden's Wig-Out" "Red Hot & Throbbin'"

V/A

Rockin' Garage & Trash-A-Billy

(Western Star)

Slouching between grooves are sundry outfits, yes, but all share relish for ripping out every window in the place. The Cavanish clan's stomping-good contribution sounds a bit like "Steppin' Stone" got ahold of bad liquor, and is having an accelerated episode. There's real Kinks architecturing in moments, and in others, the same shot-no-chaser jitter-boppin' that filled late nights no one completely recalls. It's guitar-strapped gangs like these that keep important fires grasping for the inkiness overhead.

Recommended: "Annabella" (The Bullets), "This Town" (Henry & the Bleeders), "Speed of Love" (Jack Rabbit Slim), "Little Wino's Date with Death" (Bastard Sons of Cavan), "She Gotta Move" (The Bullets), "Trash Talkin' Sally Anne" (The Bullets), "Swamp Devil" (The Hillmans), "10lb of Sad" (Jack Rabbit Slim)

Videos: "This Town" "Little Wino's Date with Death" "She Gotta Move" "Swamp Devil"

The Bullets

Henry & the Bleeders

The Hillmans

The Bastard Sons of Cavan

Wednesday, July 9, 2025

The Stingrays

Stand By For Action

(Western Star)

There being no reason not to take up examples mounted by 1960s British Pop confectioners, the three involved here do so winningly and with beaming good cheer. (Inspiration arrives, too, from Gerry and Sylvia Anderson.) One marvels as spring-heeled melodies romp. Unanticipated twists ensure that matters hum steadily. The voices croon exultantly, and remind that lives lived with songs in heart and smiles wreathing faces know no grayness overhead.

Recommended: "It's Been Nice," "Why Little Girl," "Magic Carpet," "A Tribute to Buddy Holly," "Little Baby," "I'll Never Get Over You"

Videos: "It's Been Nice" "Why Little Girl" "Little Baby" "I'll Never Get Over You"

Collectors' Choice Music

Spotify