RONNIE HAWKINS AND THE HAWKS - SOUTHERN LOVE / HEY BOBA LOU

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SIDE A = Southern Love   SIDE B = Hey Boba Lou

Sleazy Records / SR84

Sleazy Records goes on keeping more than happy those of us who have a love for the good old Rock'n'Roll of the pioneers... The "Original Rockin' Series" are here to make it clear that it is true and it is in that collection where this Ronnie Hawkins And The Hawks' single is included.

Hawkins is an unusual case in Rock'n'Roll History because, even though he was born in the USA (in Arkansas to be more precise), most of his hits have been in Canada... But the most important facts of his biography are very well explained by Carlos A. del Bosque on the sleeve notes, so better read them for more info.

About the music, "Southern Love" is on side A, a song penned by Chuck Wills that Hawkins recorded for the Roulette label and that was released at the end of 1959 in Hawkins' third single for the label. It is a mid-tempo song with a sound that is quite characteristic of the late 50's and early 60's, with an organ having an important rol all along the lenght of the song.

Side B is for "Hey Boba Lou", recorded at the same session than "Southern Love" but released a year later, in 1960, in Ronnie Hawkins And The Hawks' second LP for Roulette. It is a song with a lot in common, both in rhythm and style, with the one on side A, but now it is the chorus that get higher importance, even though the organ is always there, giving that early 60's feel to the song.

Regarding the artwork, a very good job once again by Juan Fresneda, as is previous records in this series.

Maybe it is not the best reference released in the "Original Rockin' Series", but it has its appeal for sure and those with a preference for the early 60's Rock'n'Roll will enjoy it a whole lot.