LOS D-56 - REGRESO AL INSTITUTO

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1. 56 hamburguesas   2. Lobos Negros en el valle de Los Despiadados   3. Perdí Casablanca   4. Para pasarlo bien   5. Un quinceañero enamorado   6. ¿Por qué me tratas así?   7. Last Kiss   8. Sesenta y nueve   9. Tres días de su amor   10. Nena, no me toques más el tupé   11. Corazón de piedra (y alma de R&R)   12. ¿Y qué?   13. Runaway   14. En la Autopista 56

Son Records / M-28486-2017

This is going to be a very short review. Not because this is a bad record, as a matter of fact it is a very good one, but because I believe that it is mostly interesting for Spanish fans of Rockabilly and they can go to the extended Spanish version of my review at elrockandrollyyo.blogspot.com.

A really interesting record is this one by Los D-56, recovering the style that was called "Spanish Rockabilly", the kind of Rockabilly that was played by a whole lot of Spanish bands back in the 1980's and 1990's. In this cd, "Regreso al instituto" ("Back To Highschool" in English) Los D-56 play songs that were first recorded by Los Despiadados and 56 Hamburguesas, two well remembered bands for the fans of Spanish Rockabilly (and yours truly is, for sure, one of them).

A very good record, no doubt about that, that I'm absolutely enjoying.

ROCKIN' HELLFIRE - FOLLOW US TO THE FIERY DEPTHS OF HELL

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Side A = 1. Hellfire Rock & Roll   2. Broken Heart   3. Blood On My Drape   4. Love You Baby   5. Kill My Baby   6. Try Me

Side B = 7. How Could I Help But Love You   8. Shivers   9. Evedently   10. Boom, Boom, Boom   11. Cool Cat Style   12. I'll Never Get Over You   13. Restless

Rebel Music / RM12008

I bought this record some time ago (as a matter of fact it was released back in 2016) but I haven't found the time to review it yet... till now.

A good record in my very own oppinion in which Rockin' Hellfire offer much more than just Teddy Boy Rock'n'Roll, as they show they feel at ease playing other Rock'n'Roll friendly styles. Perhaps on the slows the level goes a little bit down, but on the fast Rockin' numbers and on the mid-tempo ones they leave no doubt they are a good band indeed.

For me, the highlights of this LP are "Hellfire Rock & Roll", that opens the record in fine Teddy Boy style, the mid-tempo "Cool Cat Style" and "Boom, Boom, Boom".

By the way, if my info is correct, the record has been released in vinyl and cd, with different picture sleeves for each format (the picture you see at the beginning of this review comes from the vinyl edition).

Brief, a good record by Rockin' Hellfire that worths the money.

GENE VINCENT - TEMPTATION BABY

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Side A = 1. Temptation Baby   2. Where Have You Been All My Life   3. Humpity Dumpity   4. La-Den-Da-Den-Da-Da

Side B = 5. Love'em and Leave'em Kinda Guy   6. The Beginning Of The End   7. Private Detective   8. You're My Sunshine 9. Temptation Baby

Sleazy Records / SR10-25 (picture-disc = SR10-26)

Sleazy Records keeps all Gene Vincent fans well supplied for sure. This time, the Spanish label has released a 10" record including the songs that were first issued on the four singles that Gene Vincent got published on the British Columbia label beween 1964 and 1965, a time in which Gene seemed to be forgotten in the USA, but in which he was a top Rock'n'Roll act in Europe.

It's good Rock'n'Roll what we get in this record. Maybe the songs aren't at the same top level than the ones the Prince of Rock'n'Roll recorded for Capitol previously (to reach that quality seems impossible to me), but as a matter of fact the eight songs are quite close to that level. By the way, "Temptation Baby", the song that gives name to this record, is included twice, in two different versions.

"Temptation Baby" and "Private Detective" are my favourite songs in those years of Gene's career, plus the interesting version of the Hillbilly classic "You're My Sunshine", to which the Screamin' End gives a nice Rockin' treatment.

Good record that will please all Gene Vincent fans for sure and that comes, as uses to be with Sleazy Record's releases, along with informative sleeve notes.

Note that two different versions of the record have been published simultaneously: one in classic black vinyl with cardboard sleeve and other one as a beautiful picture-disc (see pictures of both sides below). Did I say "beautiful"? Well, "stunning" will be much more accurate.

If you are a fan of Gene Vincent, you'll probably need this record... and it's up to you to choose which version do you prefer... Or maybe you'll need both?

The picture-disc version of this record looks stunning.

ROCK'N'BORDES - ES LA VIDA

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Side A = 1. Hey princesa!   2. La soledad   3. Extraños en la caverna   4. Sin ti

Side B = 5. Es la vida   6. Mi reina no llores   7. Traición fatal   8. La ciudad de noche

Sleazy Records / SR10-17 (picture disc = SR10-18)

Back in February 2016 I wrote in this very same blog about Sleazy Records' re-release of Rock'n'Bordes' first record... and here we have a new release from the Spanish label dedicated to one of the most influential bands in the history of Spanish Rockabilly.

This 10" record, under the title of "Es la vida", offers us the demo songs that Rock'n'Bordes recorded as starting point previous to the recording sessions for their third LP, "Al mal tiempo... buena cara". Eight songs have made their way into this brand new release and they are really interesting as they enable us, in some way, to see the evolution of the songs from their origin to the definitive version included in the record that was published in 1991. The demo cuts sound more rough and wilder that in the "official" release.

Among the 8 songs included in this brand new 10" record we get some masterpieces in Spanish Rockabilly history, such as the wonderful, almost perfect, "Es la vida", a song that has reached a kind of "hymn" status... But all of them are really good... The frantic Rockabilly of "Hey princesa!", the great mid-tempo of "Mi reina no llores", the close-to-Psychobilly "Extraños en la caverna", the Country & Western feeling of "Traición fatal", the wistfulness of "La soledad", "Sin ti" or "La ciudad de noche"... A very good collection of songs, yes indeed.

Brief, an absolutely amazing and interesting record that is completed with sleeve notes signed by Be Bop Nando, 50% of Rock'n'Bordes (Rockin' Pauly was the other 50%). Nobody better than him to tell us the history behind the recording. A must have record in any Spanish Rockabilly records collection.

By the way, Sleazy Records has published two different versions of the record: one in classic black vinyl (see picture at the beginning of this review) and one as a stunning "picture disc" vinyl (see pictures of both sides at the end of the review).

Rock'n'Bordes were so good!!!

The stunning picture-disc version of this record.

MISS LAVELLE - STOLEN LOVE

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Side A = 1. Teen-Age Love   2. If I Could Be With You   3. Stop These Teardrops   4. Yes, I've Been Crying   5. Stolen Love   6. You're The Most

Side B = 7. Just Look At You   8. Tide Of Love   9. Run To You   10. Why Young Men Go Wild   11. Everybody's Got Somebody   12. The Best Part Of Me

Sleazy Records / SR10-20

A few months ago Sleazy Records released this compilation in 10" pink vinyl format in their "Ten X Ten Series" including the 6 singles Miss LaVelle got released between 1958 and 1965 for the Duke label.

I have to admit that I bought the record knowing just about nothing about this singer... but supposing that if Sleazy Records found it good enough to release it in their "Ten X Ten Series", it might worth the money... And after listening to it for the first time I saw I was right. By the way, "Stop These Teardrops" was the only song I recognised during that first listening. Of course, I've played the record many more times since that first time... and many more will come in the future because Miss LaVelle's powerful voice is just astonishing and the songs included, with styles going from Rhythm'n'Blues to Soul, including Blues and, in a certain way, Doo Wop, are just great.

I prefer Miss LaVelle in her Rhythm'n'Blues songs and for that reason her first 2 singles, so the first 4 songs of this record, are my favourites: "Teen-Age Love", "If I Could Be With You", "Stop These Teardrops" and "Yes I've Been Crying". Anyway, "Why Young Men Go Wild" is close behind in my preferences...

Good compilation work by Leo Castro, great sleeve notes by Aisha Khan and nice artwork by Berto Martínez... I mean, is good to see such a work dedicated to a singer, Miss LaVelle, that for whatever reasons didn't get the success she probably merited in the second half of the 1950's and the first half of the 1960's, even though the quality of her recordings was above average, as this record proves.

Pink vinyl for Miss LaVelle's 10" in

Sleazy Record's "Ten X Ten Series".

DARREL HIGHAM - HELL'S HOTEL

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1. Hell's Hotel   2. Turn Around And Go   3. When You Smile   4. In Summer   5. Hank Williams And Me   6. Nearer To A Love   7. My Old Friend   8. And The Angels Cried   9. Save Me With Your Kisses   10. I Found A Smile   11. The Blues Is The Blues   12. Please Give Me Something

Ambassador Records / 6046341802

Darrel Higham left his solo career for much too long in order to focus in his lead guitar role in Imelda May's band... But here we have him back for good again in front of the microphone, sure also playing his guitar as he is probably one of the best guitar players we can listen to currently.

A dozen songs have been included in this "Hell's Hotel" cd (if I'm not wrong, it is also available in vinyl LP format) and in them we get what we can expect in a record from this great artist: good Rock'n'Roll and Rockabilly. As a matter of fact, very good Rock'n'Roll and Rockabilly, going from the rhythmic "I Found A Smile" to the more relaxed "Nearer To A Love". Ten out of the twelve songs are penned by Higham himself, being the remaining two "In Summer" and a version of the classic "Please Give Me Something", in which the singer is Led Zeppelin's Robert Plant).

My favourite songs in this album are, by the way, "When You Smile" and "My Old Friend".

Further than the above-mentioned Robert Plant, the remaining guest stars are first level ones, with Imelda May doing chorus in three songs, The Roomates' Steve Webb doing the same also in three songs, Jools Holland adding piano again in three cuts and so on...

Just a few more lines to say that this is a good record, much more than recommended to be listened (and bought, of course!) as I believe that it is one of Darrel Higham's best records to date. 

GEORGE JONES - ALONG CAME YOU / FEELING SINGLE, SEEING DOUBLE

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Side A = Along Came You

Side B = Feeling Single, Seeing Double

Sleazy Records / SR125

Sleazy Records keeps on offering treat after treat to all of us, lovers of the good old Rock'n'Roll friendly rhythms, and here we have a brand new one in 7" vinyl format in their Original Rockin' Series. This time the honour goes to a Country superstar such as George Jones, with two songs of really good Country & Western with an obvious Rock'n'Roll coating: "Along Came You" on side A and "Feeling Single, Seeing Double" on side B. Note that on the brief but informative sleeve notes written by Pooly Record Hop, the orden is given the other way round... although it's not really important in a single.

Both songs were first released on George Jones' second long play for the Musicor label back in 1965, shinning on both cuts the lead guitar.

Another good 7" for any decent record collection.

CHUCK BERRY - CHUCK

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Side A = 1. Wonderful Woman   2. Big Boys   3. You Go To My Head   4. 3/4 Time (Enchiladas)   5. Darlin'

Side B = 6. Lady B. Goode   7. She Still Loves You   8. Jamaica Moon   9. Dutchman   10. Eyes Of Man

Decca Records / 00602557561241

Just a few months ago, in March 2017, the great Chuck Berry left the building... but being for sure one of the founding fathers of Rock'n'Roll, he left us his last recordings as a kind of farewell... and here they are in this LP: "Chuck".

Perhaps some could be kind of afraid about the quality of the performance given Mr. Berry's age at the time of recording... but hey! we're talking about Chuck Berry, you know? So everybody be cool.

The record starts with two shots of good, old Rock'n'Roll, pure Chuck Berry at his best: "Wonderful Woman" and "Big Boys" are songs that could have been recorded 60 years ago, back in Chuck's heydays. Absolutely great. Then comes " You Go To My Head", a Blues in which we can be reassured he was in top form when recording this album. Time then for a Hillbilly flavoured song, "3/4 Time (Enchiladas)", in which we can feel he and the band were having good time while recording it. Last cut on side A is another Blues, "Darlin'", just absolutely wonderful regarding lyrics and music.

To begin side B, Chuck Berry goes back to Rock'n'Roll in a kind of tribute to his most famous song, as the title of the one included here is "Lady B. Goode"... and from my point of view here ends the good part of the record. The absolutely great part. Probably there will be people that will love the remaining four songs, but for me those songs are too far away from Chuck Berry's classic anthems both in quality and in style.

Anyway, six astonishing good songs out of ten is not bad at all, isn't it? Ladies and gentlemen, it's Chuck Berry and this should (must) be enough. By the way, Mr. Berry is the composer of all the songs but two.

Thanks for everything, Mr. Berry. Never to be forgotten.

ARISTOGATOS - DIRECTOS MAQUETAS 1982

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Side A = 1. Himno Aristogato   2. Coca-Cola   3. Ana

Side B = 4. Visita al hospital   5. 6 de la mañana   6. Visita al hospital

Subterfuge / 210316SUB

Just released, this record is a kind of archaeological work regarding Spanish Rockabilly, as it brings songs recorded by Aristogatos, a band that existed for very, very short time, back in 1982. The six songs included are probably all the recordings they left.

Side A has three songs recorded live and can be taken as examples of what quite a lot of Rockabilly bands were doing at the time in Spain, with lots of enthusiasm but with few means.

Side B goes Pop... that is the direction most of the band members followed in the bands they played with once Aristogatos was over.

Brief, an interesting record if you are interested in the early times of the Spanish Rockabilly Revival... eventhough from my point of view there were more interesting bands at the time.

By the way, note this record turns at 45 rpm although it is a 12".

WE ARE THE ROCKERS (VOL. 1)

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Cara A = 1. Big Daddy G (Big Berry)   2. Davey Bee & The Sonics (Linda Lee)   3. Baker Knight (Apple Dandy)   4. The Firing Squad (Bull Moose)   5. Vic Vickers (Action Speaks Louder Thann Words)   6. Mike Harris (Come Along With Me)   7. The Velvets (Wild Little Willy)   8. Two Don's (Funny Honey)

Cara B = 1. Artie Sullivan With The Rhythm Beats (It's Time)   2. Bob Fryfogle (Six Feet Under)   3. Bob Swanson And The Sonics (Twisting At The Bop)   4. Steve Alaimo & The Red Coats (She's My Baby)   5. Vickie Diaz (Your Mamma Said No)   6. Phil Beasley & Charlie Brown With The Country Rhythm Boys (Good Gosh Gal)   7. Dickie Loader And The Blue Jeans (Teen Machine)   8. Sanford Clark (It's Nothing To Me)

Sleazy Records / SR-LP20

If you believe that good Rock'n'Roll was already dead and gone in the 1960's, killed by "flower power" and so on, this brilliant collection of songs compiled by DJ Danny and released by Sleazy Records will show you how wrong you are... 16 shots of amazing, good Rock'n'Roll, Rockabilly, Country Bop and other Rocker friendly rhythms... Songs that were first released in the late 1950's or in the first half of the 1960's.

It's difficult, almost impossible, to highlight a song above its companions... but if I have to pick one from each side, right now they will be Baker Knight's "Apple Dandy" from side A and Vickie Diaz's "Your Mamma Said No" from side B, but please believe me when I say that every single song included is much more than very good.

Regarding sound quality, it's true that it's not perfect, but it's much than good enough to enjoy the record without any kind of problems (note that probably the sources have been the original 45's).

Further than all said till now, the record comes into a nice picture sleeve that is pure Rocker attitude and really informative sleeve notes.

A LP that I believe is a must for any serious Rocker record collection... And when they say "vol. 1" it's because they mean there's going to be a "vol. 2", isn't it?... Great!

Absolutely good record. Sure among my favourites from now on.

HANK WILLIAMS - I'M A LONG GONE DADDY

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Disc 1 = SIDE A = 1. Calling You   2. Pan American   SIDE B = 3. Move It On Over   4. I Saw The Light

Disc 2 = SIDE A = 1. Six More Miles (To The Graveyard)   2. I'm Satisfied With You   SIDE B = 3. Rootie Tootie   4. I Can't Get You Off My Mind

Disc 3 = SIDE A = 1. I'm A Long Gone Daddy   2. The Blues Came Around   SIDE B = 3. I'll Be A Bachelor Till I Die   4. Lovesick Blues

Disc 4 = SIDE A = 1. Lost Highway   2. Honky Tonk Blues   SIDE B = 3. Mind Your Own Business   4. You're Gonna Change (Or I'm Gonna Leave)

Disc 5 = SIDE A = 1. I Just Don't Like This Kind Of Livin'   2. My Bucket's Gotta Hole In It   SIDE B = 3. Long Gone Lonesome Blues   4. Why Don't You Love Me

Disc 6 = SIDE A = 1. Alone And Forsaken   2. (I'm Gonna) Sing, Sing, Sing   SIDE B = 3. Weary Blues From Waiting   4. Honky Tonkin'

Sleazy Records / SR119

Any praise we'll give to this "box-set" released by Sleazy Records is absolutely well-deserved for sure. As easy as that. If the previous box-sets released by the Spanish label were astonishing good, this brand new one compiling Hank Williams' recordings goes even a step further.

Note that this time it is not a box what we get to keep the 6 vinyl Eps safe, but a kind of book as those 10" albums from the 1940's (and before)... So "gorgeus" is the adjective I believe we have to use when referring to the artwork of this set, done by Berto Martínez and Francho Angás.

About the musical side, not much can be added to the info on the sleeve-notes, written by Francho Angás and Rocio Cañas, as there is almost all the knowledge we'll need about the songs included. Suffice to say that the songs included were recorded by Hank Williams between 1947 and 1950, except the demo of "Weary Blues From Waitin'" (from 1951) and "Honky Tonkin'" (from 1952)... and that among the 24 selected songs we'll find from good old classic Hillbilly music like in "Lovesick Blues" or "My Bucket's Gotta Hole In It" to Gospel like in "I Saw The Light" (well, more or less Gospel) and even early Rockabilly like in "Move It On Over" or "I Can't Get You Off My Mind" (yes, this gentleman recorded Rockabilly much before anyone even thought of a name for it)...

And, of course, the sound is just absolutely brilliant, as in previous releases, being that merit of Guillermo Jiménez, re-issue producer of this release.

Perhaps you're now expecting me to say that it's highly recommended... but I won't say that this time. Instead, I'll say that it's no less than essential, especially if you're a fan of Hank Williams and classic Honky Tonk music.

CORRECAMINOS ROCK AND ROLL BAND - AL BORDE DEL CAMINO

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1. Arranco el motor   2. Correr, correr   3. Oh, yeah!   4. Slow Down   5. Lejos de aquí   6. Triste canción   7. R'n'R en la ciudad   8. Al borde del camino   9. Tiempo vivido   10. Folsom Prison Blues   11. Ven aquí   12. ¿Dónde estás?   13. Mistery Train

Self-released / No ref. #

The first time I saw Correcaminos Rock And Roll Band live was in 1994, so I was just a teenager back then... and I managed to catch them on the stage several other times. Also back in the 1990's they released a demo tape and got some songs included in different Spanish Rockabilly compilations... But the time came that the band was left on hold for quite a lot of years... Until 2015, when they did a great comeback to the live shows... and now, in 2017, they release their first "official" record.

This "Al borde del camino" brings us 13 songs, including 3 covers (sung in English) plus 10 songs (sung in Spanish) penned by the band if my info is correct.

Regarding the covers, they have chosen three absolutely well known songs for the average Rockabilly fan... and this is perhaps the weak point of the record, even if I understand that these are three "classics" in the band's live shows. Anyway, they play them in their very own "full-throttle" Rockabilly way, offering good performances and being Jack Earls' "Slow Down" the best one of the trio of versions in my very own opinion.

The biggest and the best part of this Correcaminos Rock And Roll Band's record is formed by their own songs, with an absolutely good combination of Rockabilly friendly styles for sure: from the Neorockabilly of "Arranco el motor", "Oh Yeah!" (I just love this song), "Ven aquí" (a hit if this was a fair world) or "Tiempo vivido", to the ballad "Triste canción", going through Country music in "Al borde del camino"... There are no weak songs at all among them.

Víctor's powerful voice, plus Rubén's brilliant lead guitar, plus José's energetic bass, plus Adolfo's effective drums equals a very, very good and forceful record.

For sure, warmly recommended by yours truly.

PIKE CAVALERO - BOPPIN' & JIVIN' WITH... (EP)

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Cara A = 1. Twinkle, Twinkle (Pretty Star)   2. Here I Am

Cara B = 3. Love Engine   4. Cavalero Stomp

Sleazy Records / SR122

Ladies and gentlemen, Pike Cavalero has done it again. Terrific EP, singing again in English, by the way.

Four songs of astonishing good Rockabilly and Rock'n'Roll, absolutely top quality as he uses to. Three of the songs, penned by Pike Cavalero himself, can be filed under the "Rockabilly" tag without too many doubts, while the fourth one ("Cavalero Stomp") is an Instro-Rock'n'Roll composed by Francis Beard, who plays lead guitar in this record. The rest of band members are Pepe Lee playing double-bass and Jesús López who plays drums: usual suspects and top quality, yes sir.

I'm absolutely sure that Pike Cavalero is one of the best 50's style Rockabilly singers that we can get to listen to all around Europe... Yes, for me there is no doubt about that and this EP is clear proof: all killers, no fillers with, in my very own oppinion, "Twinkle, Twinkle (Pretty Star)" shinning slightly above the rest.

By the way, the sleeve notes have been written no more, no less that by DJ Del Villarreal.

Absolutely recommended, as all previous records by Pike Cavalero. Easy as that.

RISKY BET - EL ÚLTIMO ROCKER

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1. Tu Swing   2. Libre de ti   3. Rockabilly Baby   4. Noches junto al mar   5. El último Rocker

Self-released / No ref. #

A very good record indeed.

There are lots of records that I like very much, but this one has gone further than that. It's a great record, offering a blend of Rockin' fiendly styles, with Neo-Rockabilly just in the middle, probably the style in which Risky Bet members feel more at ease (as shown in "Tu Swing" or in "Libre de ti"), but adding up also a little bit of Teddy Boy Rock'n'Roll (as in their version of The Jets' "Rockabilly Baby"), some Doo Wop ("Noches junto al mar" is a clear example), a touch of dark Westerns movies atmosphere (the astonishing good, superb, "El último Rocker") and lots of good old plain Rockabilly (it's all around the record).

As a matter of fact, they have achieved a very difficult thing: to make a record reminiscent of the Rockabilly made in the 1990's (and end of the 1980's) in Spain... but at the same time being absolutely clear that the songs have been recorded in 2017.

Goyo (vocals and rhythm guitar), Roberto (double-bass), Eduardo (lead guitar) and Álvaro (drums) won't disappoint you with this cd... A very good record indeed. Please, believe me. By the way, you can get in touch with the band thru Facebook.

Get it or be square!!!

IMELDA MAY - LIFE. LOVE. FLESH. BLOOD

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1. Call Me   2. Black Tears   3. Should've Been You   4. Sixth Sense   5. Human   6. How Bad Can A Good Girl Be   7. Bad Habit   8. Levitate   9. When It's My Time   10. Leave Me Lonely   11. The Girl I Used To Be   12. The Longing   13. Flesh And Blood   14. Game Changer   15. Love And Fear

Decca / 5729629

A lot was said and written even before this record was released: new look, changes in the band, different style...

Now that I have Imelda May's new record and I have been listening to it for the past couple of weeks, I can give my very own oppinion about it, as it should be: it is obvious that there are changes... but they don't seem as "dramatic" to me as some people foresaw. Or at least they are not so for the moment. I mean, yes, the changes regarding Imelda's look (hairstyle and wardrobe) and band members are just evident but, regarding music style... well, yes, this is not a Rockabilly record at all but, when has Imelda May released a pure Rockabilly record? Yes, sure there was some Rockabilly in her previous albums, but there were also a lot of other styles and influences. It is true that Rockabilly is absolutely out of this brand new release and the change of direction seems clear, but we still can find Soul, Blues, Folk, Pop, (plain) Rock and even a little bit of Rock'n'Roll. Time will tell if this change of direction is temporary or definitive.

I'll say it bluntly: "Life. Love. Flesh. Blood" doesn't seem a bad record to me. It is not the best album released by Imelda May, but it is not at all a bad one. It is not the record I "dreamt" to be released by Imelda, but it is enjoyable, specially the ballads and, as a matter of fact, I believe that some of those ballads would fit in any of her previous records without any kind of problem. Easy as that.

And her voice, by the way, is there still. And what a voice!

Note: the track list above belongs to the "collector's edition" cd, being tracks 1 to 11 the ones included in the standard edition and tracks 12 to 15 the bonus tracks.

ANITA O'NIGHT & THE MERCURY TRIO - MERCURY RISIN'

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1. Hold Me, Squeeze Me   2. Mice Trap   3. Moody Side   4. Pretty Boy   5. I'll Know When I Try   6. One Little Taste   7. Rock-A-Bop   8. Hurry Up!   9. Love Ain't All   10. I Can't Get You Out Of My Mind   11. Mean Train Boogie   12. My Way Back Home   13. Honeysuckle Rose

Sleazy Records / SRCD35-49

It seems to me abslutely clear and obvious that the average level of Rockabilly bands in Spain is at the heigth of the best. This just released record by Anita O'Night & The Mercury Trio is proof.

This cd brings us a good collection of real Rockabilly tunes, sung and played as it has to be done when doing Rockabilly: with attitude and rhythm. If to that combination, you add up the good, beautiful voice of Anita O'Night, plus the high musical skills of The Mercury Trio members, then it goes for the best.

Further than that, they have included just 2 covers ("Rock-A-Bop" and "Honeysuckle Rose") among the 13 songs that complete the cd, which seems a good decision to me because their own songs shine above the covers, at least in this record. Talking about their own compositions, I believe that "Hold Me, Squeeze Me", "Pretty Boy" and "Mean Train Boogie" have to be highlighted, but I insist that it is a good collection of songs what we get in this record.

Warmly recommended, of course.

TRULY LOVER TRIO - CANDY KISSES

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1. Lovestruck   2. She's Lookin' At Me   3. Candy Kisses   4. Speed Limit   5. That'll Do   6. Is That The Price That I Gotta Pay   7. I'm No Good With You   8. The Joint's Really Jumpin'   9. Hopin' And Prayin'   10. Little Angel   11. So Soon   12. Thinkin' Of You   13. Waiting Alone   14. El Camino Real

Twinkletone Records / TR110

Here we have the brand new CD from a band, Truly Lover Trio, with quite a long time on the road and that I like more and more as time goes by. This "Candy Kisses", released by Twinkletone Records, seems a very good record to me.

To talk about Truly Lover Trio is to talk about its frontman, Marcel Riesco. To talk about Marcel Riesco is to do so about his amazing voice. Amazing, above all, because it sounds incredibly close to that of Roy Orbison... and it isn't because Marcel wants to copy "The Big O", but because it's his very own voice. Anyway, to be fair, further than Riesco's voice, Truly Lover Trio is a band with a lineup of very good musicians (by the way, they do not appear on the credits on the record sleeve).

Up to 14 songs have been included in this "Candy Kisses", being 8 of them composed by Marcel Riesco, while the other 6 come from other artists. Among the ones in the first group, I would like to highlight "Candy Kisses", "Waitin' Alone" and the slow "Hopin' And Prayin'". Regarding the covers, my favourites are Jimmy Evans' "The Joint's Really Jumpin'", Lee Dresser's "El Camino Real" and, of course, "Lovestruck", penned by Roy Orbison and Johnny Wilson.

Truly Lover Trio offers us a really good indeed Rockabilly CD. One of those records that you will love to have and listen to. Well spent money, I mean.