GATOS LOCOS - CRUCE DE CAMINOS

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SIDE A = 1. Cruce de caminos   2. O te quedas o te vas   3. Sopla el viento   4. Mil razones   5. En el laberinto

SIDE B = 6. Corro hacia ti   7. Noche y día   8. Dos locos   9. No verás   10. Nada que perder

Warner Music Spain / 9029598358

This is a record that was released for the first time 25 years ago, back in 1991, by one of the most important groups in the history of Spanish Rockabilly Revival, Gatos Locos. Now, Warner Records Spain re-releases the LP in high quality vinyl, including as a bonus a CD edition of the album plus a poster by a great artist such as Nano Barbero.

The 10 songs included are well known for Spanish Rock'n'Roll fans, or should be. No doubt that this is not the most Rocker album by Gatos Locos that, after reaching huge popularity and incredible record sales with previous LP's for a Spanish Rockabilly band, released a record with a kind of more Pop orientated sound, but the Rock'n'Roll and the Rockabilly feeling were always there, all along the songs. Difficult to explain, maybe, but it is not difficult at all to say that it was and still is a great record. For sure.

It includes some songs that have become true classics for Fernando Lavado's band through the time: "Cruce de caminos", "O te quedas o te vas", Corro hacia ti" or "Noche y día" have to be included in that group. And that's not all, because there are more good songs, such as "Sopla el viento", the beautiful "Mil razones" (I believe that Fernando Lavado is the best Spanish singer with this kind of slow Rock'n'Roll ballads), "Nada que perder" and so on.

To listen again to the songs of this "Cruce de caminos" has brought good old memories to me... What a good record it is!

Vinyl LP, CD and a poster by Nano Barbero...

What a treat for the fans!

THE REAL GONE TONES - HOT MESS

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1. Cranky Wagon   2. Laundromat   3. Slum Fun   4. Hard Working Mama   5. Waiting For My Baby   6. Witchin' In The Kitchen (Housewife Rock)   7. Don't You Waltz Me   8. Bonnie   9. Waitress With a Broken Heart   10. Hot Mess   11. Sleepy Heart   12. Slick Like A Sickle   13. Mean   14. Rock'n'Roll Hiccup   15. Shake Your Hips

El Toro Records / ETCD6076

There are a lot of things that I like in Rock'n'Roll and one of them is that it is still possible to "discover" a new band. That's exactly what has happened to me with The Real Gone Tones. Positively surprised with this band from Poland. The energy given off by The Real Gone Tones got my attention since the first time I've played their CD, with a style in which they mix lots of Rockabilly with lots of Rhythm'n'Blues.

The band members are Marla Marvel (vocal and rhythm guitar), Simon Paco Nuñez (harmonica and vocal), Gregory Pick (lead guitar), Little Jim (double bass) and Boppin' Bob (drums).

All the 15 songs included in "Hot Mess" are really good from my point of view. Very good indeed. Almost 38 minutes that are a blast of energy. It is important to point out that 14 of the songs are penned by the band members, leaving room for just one version: Slim Harpo's "Shake Your Hips".

It is not easy at all to highlight just a song in this record but, if I have to, I guess my pick would be among "Hard Working Mama", that starts close to a Blues pace to be speeded up after the first minute; "Bonnie", in which Marla MArvel and Simon Paco Nuñez share the lead vocal role; "Hot Mess", with harmonica and drums shining by their own rights; "Rock'n'Roll Hiccup"; or the great cover of "Shake Your Hips", that The Real Gone Tones don't hesitate to play a little bit faster than the original.

Ladies and gentlemen, I've learned one thing listening to this band: there is very good Rock'n'Roll being made in Poland and this  "Hot Mess" by The Real Gone Tones is an evidence. Lucky us for having El Toro Records releasing their work.

MARCOS SENDARRUBIAS - BIG RUMBLE STOMP

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SIDE A = 1. Big Rumble Stomp   2. I'm Just A Mender   3. Rice In Your Hair

SIDE B = 4. Don't Treat Me Wrong   5. Cincinatti Fireball   6. Love Of Brother

Carmela Records / 013 CREP LP

Let's be clear from the very beginning: ladies and gentlemen, this is a wonderful record.

Two years after his previous record released, here we have again Mr. Sendarrubias. It has been quite a long time for us the fans, but sometimes it is worth waiting. This is one of those times.

Six songs have been included in this 10" (that turns at 45 rpm, by the way). All killers, no fillers. The first one is "Big Rumble Stomp", great Rockabilly that is a tribute to the festival of the same name held in Asturias, Spain, every summer. Then we have "I'm Just A Mender", a very good indeed cover of the classic Rockabilly recorded by Larry Hart for Goldband back in 1958 and that I have to say is one of my favourites. Last on side A is a wonderful Hillbilly song, "Rice In Your Hair", in which Marcos Sendarrubias shares the lead voice with Gwen (from Gwen & The Boppin' Rhythms).

On side B we get three more very good Rockabilly cuts. The first one is "Don't Treat Me Wrong". Then we have the second cover included, Johnny Burnette's "Cincinnati Fireball", which Marcos gives a much more Rockabilly feeling by forgetting unnecessary instruments included in the original. Bravo! The last one of the record is "Love Of Brother", one of those Rockabilly songs that makes you keep the rhythm by tapping your feet, or even dance, from the first note on.

All that with Marcos' recognizable voice (plus Gwen's in "Rice In Your Hair" as said before) and the contribution of a bunch of top musicians, well known most of them in the Spanish Rockabilly world (and abroad in some cases). I'm not going to name them all, it is for sure that all of them do a fantastic work in this record and all of them deserve a standing ovation... but Mark Polza with the steel-guitar on "Rice In Your Hair" and Carlos A. del Bosque with the guitar in "Cincinnati Fireball" are superb.

Add to all mentioned above a marvelous artwork from Antonio Alay for the sleeve and there must be no doubt at all that this is a record to buy. For sure.

GENE VINCENT - BOPPIN' & SHAKIN' IN ITALY

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SIDE A = Blue Jean Bop   SIDE B = Sexy Ways

El Toro Records / ET.15.059

Here we have again the great Gene Vincent, "The Black Prince", "The Screamin' End"... This time is El Toro Records that releases this brand new reference of this ROCKER (yes, capital letters, please). Two songs recorded live on 28 May 1960 (so soon it will be 56 years since that day) at the RAI TV studios in Rome, Italy, which images have been in YouTube since some time ago.

Gene Vincent was not at his very best back then. It was less than a month and a half after the accident that killed his friend Eddie Cochran and left Gene himself seriously injured. But his voice, his strength, his attitude on the stage were there.

It is important to point out the presence of Joe Moretti playing guitar on these two songs, the man who also played guitar, for instance, in two British Rock'n'Roll classics such as "Shakin' All Over" (Johnny Kidd & The Pirates) and "Brand New Cadillac" (Vince Taylor). In addition to Moretti, Red Reece (drums) and Vince Cooze (bass), who had been part of Gene's band in his previous British tour, were the rest of musicians backing Gene in Italy. Anyway, if you want to know more about the recording, etc. better read the good liner notes of this 7", written by DJ Rock-Ola Jordi.

It has to be highlighted the good job done by El Toro Records regarding the sound. Bear in mind that these songs were not recorded to release a record, but it was a TV show. More than that, the artwork of the sleeve is brilliant and the blue vinyl is... beautiful.

Gene Vincent's voice. "Blue Jean Bop" on one side and "Sexy Ways" on the other. Pure, good, old, Rock'n'Roll. If you are a Gene Vincent fan, you already know that you need this record. Nothing else needs to be added.