Let's Go Crazy
single
(Cleopatra)
A full-length disc is slated for September issuance. In the meantime, this thunderous preview tittilates as it pulverizes.
Video: "Let's Go Crazy"
Facebook (DBH)
Cleopatra Records
Amazon
Tuesday, July 14, 2020
Swamp Shakers
Don't Wanna Miss
Full CD + bonus 45
(self)
The single was issued last year. I wrote: "The compact 'Don't Wanna' Miss' cruises agreeably, its briskness and amiable melody certain magnets. 'Shake It' is of much the same character, though in higher gear. Both benefit from clean vocals and dedicated instrumentation. And each throws a punch that connects."
That applies equally to this entire effort. Trenchent, smooth, lapel-grabbing. The scene benefits from bands that mean each note.
Recommended: "Hot Rod Rocket," "Buzz Me," "Born To Rock," "Don't Wanna Miss," "Gotta Gimme Watcha Got," "Shake It," "Didn't Start Livin'," "Hula Hoop Baby."
Video: "Hot Rod Rocket"
"Buzz Me"
"Born To Rock"
Facebook
Bandcamp
Spotify
itunes
Don't Wanna Miss
Full CD + bonus 45
(self)
The single was issued last year. I wrote: "The compact 'Don't Wanna' Miss' cruises agreeably, its briskness and amiable melody certain magnets. 'Shake It' is of much the same character, though in higher gear. Both benefit from clean vocals and dedicated instrumentation. And each throws a punch that connects."
That applies equally to this entire effort. Trenchent, smooth, lapel-grabbing. The scene benefits from bands that mean each note.
Video: "Hot Rod Rocket"
"Buzz Me"
"Born To Rock"
Bandcamp
Spotify
itunes
The Best Bad Influence
Rock-It (self)
The brash spirit and sound of the 1980s rockabilly revival. Sharp swerves into psycho territory lend swell relief. Then, it's leaping up from the forbidden and bounding back into creeper-land.
Recommended: "Polka Dot Cadillac," "Miss. Shaker," "Interstellar Boogie," "Rat Rod Mama," "Voodoo Woman," "What D'ya Mean?" "Dream Girl."
Videos: "Polka Dot Cadillac"
"Miss. Shaker"
Facebook
Rock-It (self)
The brash spirit and sound of the 1980s rockabilly revival. Sharp swerves into psycho territory lend swell relief. Then, it's leaping up from the forbidden and bounding back into creeper-land.
Recommended: "Polka Dot Cadillac," "Miss. Shaker," "Interstellar Boogie," "Rat Rod Mama," "Voodoo Woman," "What D'ya Mean?" "Dream Girl."
Videos: "Polka Dot Cadillac"
"Miss. Shaker"
Friday, July 10, 2020
Robert Gordon
Rockabilly For Life
(Cleopatra)
Even greater than this disc's particular merits (which are abundant) is what it represents: A new and triumphant manifestation of Robert's nonpareil identity as vital link between cool sounds that once provoked crowds to delirium and this fraught moment, so in need of genuine rock'n'roll unmolested by studio sterility.
The road's been rocky, from the 1970s NYC scene to contemporary global renown. But the only hint of that in Robert's voice now is a bit of seasoning. Otherwise, he sounds as stentorian and assuredly declarative as during the Private Stock sessions with Link Wray.
He growls, hiccups, and yelps as befits a man who is of similar gold-standard rank as the genre's pioneers. His range yer amazes, grandiloquence knocking back on their pins every cat and gator in the joint.
In illustration of the man's elevated worth, celebrated musicians rally beneath his banner: James Williamson, guitar madman of the illustrious Stooges, electrifies. So do Letterman piano-pounder Paul Schaffer, Dale Watson, Blaster Dave Alvin, and Blondie's Clem Burke.
And Booker T and the MG's Steve Cropper, Linda Gail Lewis, Albert Lee, Go-Go Kathy Valentine, and longtime RG accompanist Chris Spedding. And Jimmie Hall, Rosie Flores, Joe Louis Walker, Steve Wariner, and Emanuela Hutter.
Appropriately spartan production by Danny B. Harvey (the fretboard virtuoso who also sits in on these sessions) is of the executive character demanded by this top-shelf amalgamation.
A galaxy of nuggets come in for fiery reinterpretation, never sounding more solid, more relevant. So long as heart-fevers rage and rhythms shake skeletons, sounds so suitable will enjoy urgent demand.
Plaudits for this CD as a career-crown, though, might be premature, as still more majesty may be around the corner.
Recommended: "Steady With Betty," "Let's Go Baby," "Everybody's Rocking But Me," "She Will Come Back To Me," "Try Me," "I'm Glad My Baby's Gone Away," "Please Give Me Something," "Black Cadillac," "Three Alley Cats," "If You Want It Enough," "Hot Dog! That Made Her Mad," "One Cup of Coffee," "I've Had Enough," "Would Ja," "Knock Three Times.
Bandcamp (previews and track-ordering options, here)
International Fan Club Facebook page
Cleopatra (CD ordering)
Rockabilly For Life
(Cleopatra)
Even greater than this disc's particular merits (which are abundant) is what it represents: A new and triumphant manifestation of Robert's nonpareil identity as vital link between cool sounds that once provoked crowds to delirium and this fraught moment, so in need of genuine rock'n'roll unmolested by studio sterility.
The road's been rocky, from the 1970s NYC scene to contemporary global renown. But the only hint of that in Robert's voice now is a bit of seasoning. Otherwise, he sounds as stentorian and assuredly declarative as during the Private Stock sessions with Link Wray.
He growls, hiccups, and yelps as befits a man who is of similar gold-standard rank as the genre's pioneers. His range yer amazes, grandiloquence knocking back on their pins every cat and gator in the joint.
In illustration of the man's elevated worth, celebrated musicians rally beneath his banner: James Williamson, guitar madman of the illustrious Stooges, electrifies. So do Letterman piano-pounder Paul Schaffer, Dale Watson, Blaster Dave Alvin, and Blondie's Clem Burke.
And Booker T and the MG's Steve Cropper, Linda Gail Lewis, Albert Lee, Go-Go Kathy Valentine, and longtime RG accompanist Chris Spedding. And Jimmie Hall, Rosie Flores, Joe Louis Walker, Steve Wariner, and Emanuela Hutter.
Appropriately spartan production by Danny B. Harvey (the fretboard virtuoso who also sits in on these sessions) is of the executive character demanded by this top-shelf amalgamation.
A galaxy of nuggets come in for fiery reinterpretation, never sounding more solid, more relevant. So long as heart-fevers rage and rhythms shake skeletons, sounds so suitable will enjoy urgent demand.
Plaudits for this CD as a career-crown, though, might be premature, as still more majesty may be around the corner.
Recommended: "Steady With Betty," "Let's Go Baby," "Everybody's Rocking But Me," "She Will Come Back To Me," "Try Me," "I'm Glad My Baby's Gone Away," "Please Give Me Something," "Black Cadillac," "Three Alley Cats," "If You Want It Enough," "Hot Dog! That Made Her Mad," "One Cup of Coffee," "I've Had Enough," "Would Ja," "Knock Three Times.
Bandcamp (previews and track-ordering options, here)
International Fan Club Facebook page
Cleopatra (CD ordering)
Robert Gordon & Chris Spedding
Tear Up the House
2-CD set
(Sunset Blvd)
Not just any guitarist would sufficiently complement RG. The Guitar Jamboree-man did. Thunder aplenty on this wax.
Recommended (CD 1): "Beside You," "Mess of Blues," "Heart Like a Rock," "Don't Leave Me Now," "Young and Beautiful," "The Wanderer," "Devil In Disguise."
Recommended: (CD 2): "Blue Moon of Kentucky," "I Love My Baby," "The Catman," "Gunfight," "Lonely Weekends," "Walk On By," "Motorbikin;," "Suspicion."
Videos: "Beside You"
"Heart Like a Rock"
"Walk On By"
Sunset Blvd
Tear Up the House
2-CD set
(Sunset Blvd)
Not just any guitarist would sufficiently complement RG. The Guitar Jamboree-man did. Thunder aplenty on this wax.
Recommended (CD 1): "Beside You," "Mess of Blues," "Heart Like a Rock," "Don't Leave Me Now," "Young and Beautiful," "The Wanderer," "Devil In Disguise."
Recommended: (CD 2): "Blue Moon of Kentucky," "I Love My Baby," "The Catman," "Gunfight," "Lonely Weekends," "Walk On By," "Motorbikin;," "Suspicion."
Videos: "Beside You"
"Heart Like a Rock"
"Walk On By"
Sunset Blvd
Robert Gordon with Danny Gatton
The Real Humbler (Bear Family)
A stupefying pairing that lit all manner of jaw-dropping pyrotechnics throughout chestnuts well-known and prized.
Recommended: "Good Rockin' Tonight," "Drivin' Wheel," "Cruisin'," "Black Slacks," "Ubangi Stomp," "Look Who's Blue," "Loverboy," "Rockbilly Boogie," "There Stands the Glass."
Videos: "Cruisin;"
"Black Slacks"
"Loverboy"
Bear Family
The Real Humbler (Bear Family)
A stupefying pairing that lit all manner of jaw-dropping pyrotechnics throughout chestnuts well-known and prized.
Recommended: "Good Rockin' Tonight," "Drivin' Wheel," "Cruisin'," "Black Slacks," "Ubangi Stomp," "Look Who's Blue," "Loverboy," "Rockbilly Boogie," "There Stands the Glass."
Videos: "Cruisin;"
"Black Slacks"
"Loverboy"
Bear Family
Robert Gordon and Link Wray
The Last Tour
2-CD set
(Bear Family)
The Voice and The Guitar were the hottest match of the 1970s. This showed the way, though no followers made the journey with similarly gritty elan.
Recommended (CD 1): "The Way I Walk," "Twenty Flight Rock," "Lonesome Train," "Rumble," "Rawhide," "Tutti Frutti/Shake, Rattle, and Roll," "Don't."
Recommended: (CD 2): "Rock Therapy," "Mystery Train," "I Sure Miss You," "Baby, I Don't Care," "The Fool," "Red Hot," "Sea Cruise," "Flying Saucer Rock and Roll."
Videos: "Red Hot" (live)
"The Way I Walk" (live)
Facebook
Bear Family
The Last Tour
2-CD set
(Bear Family)
The Voice and The Guitar were the hottest match of the 1970s. This showed the way, though no followers made the journey with similarly gritty elan.
Recommended (CD 1): "The Way I Walk," "Twenty Flight Rock," "Lonesome Train," "Rumble," "Rawhide," "Tutti Frutti/Shake, Rattle, and Roll," "Don't."
Recommended: (CD 2): "Rock Therapy," "Mystery Train," "I Sure Miss You," "Baby, I Don't Care," "The Fool," "Red Hot," "Sea Cruise," "Flying Saucer Rock and Roll."
Videos: "Red Hot" (live)
"The Way I Walk" (live)
Bear Family
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