Dave Crimmen

Come On

single

(Independent)

Those only familiar with Dave's fast work may be set aback by this slower number. But idle assured, he imbues it with all his usual fun spirit. Melodically enrapturing.

Video: "Come On" (live)

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Dave Del Monte and the Cross County Boys

Hey! Mrs. Claus

single

(Independent)

In recent years, Dave has proved a most prolific songwriter. And his guitar twang is neatly abetted by the stout accompaniment. No new ground broken, just extant soil well turned. And that's OK.

Video: "Hey Mrs. Claus"

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Robert Gordon with Chris Spedding

Hellafied

(Cleopatra)

Sadly, Robert died of leukemia on October 18. In the 1970s, together with Ronnie Weiser, the Rockats, and the Stray Cats, he brought new attention to the rockabilly genre. But of all, Robert stood as incandescent. His imprint on contemporary roots musics and the players who ply them is and will remain profound.  Portions of the below review were written prior to his passing.

These tracks were put to tape in 1998 for a never-released album. Several songs appeared on Bear Family's 1998's The Lost Album Plus. 

Robert and Chris were decades beyond the need to prove themselves; the sound here is of men with much yet to offer. Material extant reveals a pair eager to trek beyond the confines of orthodox rockabilly. That genre's swagger was retained, along with twangy flourishes, but set in a contemporary context. 

Willingness to slip out of aesthetic constraint makes this release rewarding. As they are beyond probative burden, they are free to reap maximum benefit from spirited arrangements.

On Rockabilly For Life (released earlier this year, also on Cleopatra), mid-tempo songs predominated. So too, here. But whether the steadily chugging "Have I the Right, the country reclination in "Please Don't," stroller "I'll Make It Right," or the Bo Diddley-beat of "Don't Let Go," you're in the hands of masters. 

The above paragraph should not be interpretated to mean Hellafied is bereft of fast songs. See: "Please Don't Touch," "Tell him No," and "Believe What You Say." All barrel down the tracks like streamliners.

The diversified energy level is so high as to seize listeners in paroxyms of happy fracture. The songcraft is solid, and the delivery masterful. One again marvels at the perfect pairing of Voice and Guitar. It is umatched in roots revivalism, including all variants.

Robert's immense baritone is richer and more sinewy than when he emerged. His presence is tremendous. And Chris flabbergasts, as always, with incomparable fretboard wizardry; he effortlessly blends airs and changes from the popular musics songbook. 

Together, the two are nonpareil. These rescued cuts bear out that lofty estimation.

Recommended: "One Day Left," "Please Don't," "Have I the Right," "Middle of the Night," "Signs of Love," "I'll Make It Right," "Why (Don't You Love Me)," "Don't Let Go," "Girl Like You," "Please Don't Touch," "Tell Him No," "You Don't Know What You Got," "Believe What You Say"

Video: "Believe What You Say"

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Cleopatra

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Eddie & the Hot Rods

Guardians of the Legacy

(RodHot Records)

Few bands whose records stretch back decades still produce efforts this consistently muscular. The group realizes strength amazing in both composition and interpretation. Guardians of the Legacy, they be. Able ones.

Recommended: "Guardians of the Legacy," "Paradise," "I'm Your Fool," "She's the One," "Some One Like You," "Without You We Are No One," "New Frontier"

Video: "Guardians of the Legacy"

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The Real McKenzies

Songs of the Highland, Songs of the Sea

(Fat Wreck Chords)

Their characteristic admixture of traditional bagpipe airs and punk guitars -- undergirded by a rock-ribbed rhythm section and topped off by thickly brogue declamations and anthemic choruses -- sounds as kick-down-doors inspirational as in days past. Hoist a pint for the lads' job mightily perpetrated.

Recommended: "Scotland the Brave," "My Heart's In the Highlands," "The Green Hills of Tyrol," "Drunken Sailor," "Ye Jacobites By Name," "Swansea Town," "Leave Her Johnny," "A Red, Red Rose," "Dead Man's Chest"

Video: "Scotland the Brave"

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Fat Wreck Chords

Cable Bugs

Backstage At Rosis

(Wolverine Records)

They acquit themselves cleanly when rocketing through standard arrangements. But it's when angling for unusual turns that they best realize novel bearing. Even such passages are of vigorous constitution. 

Recommended: "Seven Seas," "Rockin' To," "Road To Nowhere," "Sleep In the Fridge," "Ain't Feeling Good," "Gotta Go Out Tonight," "Devil's Sister," "Sunny Afternoon," "Last Song"

Video: "Seven Seas"

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Charlie Feathers

90th Anniversary Pack

(El Toro)

Posthomously dubbed "The other King of Rockabilly," Mississippi-born Charlie was a master of the glottal stops, hiccups, and falsetto shrieks that would typify the genre. While his earliest efforts were solidly hillbilly with forward fiddle (and hillblly country would remain in his repertoire), it wasn't long before the sock emerged.

He was a wild cat beyond most others of his early era. Today, his songs live on in the sets of admirers the world over. One listen to his woolier efforts will convert any listener.

Two vinyl LPs plus an EP are in this pack, which was issued in commmoration of what would have been Charlie's 90th birthday.

Recommended: "Peepin' Eyes," "Defrost Your Heart," "A Wedding Gown of White," "Tongue-Tied Jill," "Get With It," "Everybody's Lovin' My Baby," "One Hand Loose" "Bottle To the Baby," "Nobody's Woman," "Too Much Alike," "Why Don't You," "Jungle Fever," "Wild Wild Party," "Someday You Will Pay" (Miller Sisters), "Corrine Corrina (demo)," "I'm So Ashamed" (demo), "Runnin' Around (demo)"

Video: "Bottle To the Baby"

El Toro