Good Rockin' Tonight: The Legacy of Sun Records
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Free Music Notes for Good Rockin' Tonight: The Legacy of Sun Records
Free Music Review: Pulled Off A Very Difficult Project--Great Album!
Hit: 5 Stars
Let me preface by saying I'm a big fan of American roots music. Growing up, I absolutely craved this type of stuff. I could find a few Howlin' Wolf and Muddy Waters records at the local library and I "borrowed" my grandfathers Hank Williams record, but Elvis Presley was about the only Sun music readily available. RCA's release of the Complete Sun Sessions in 87 lead me to a general interest in the sun music catalog. Many of the songs I owned as EPs that had been given to me by my grandmother. As a graduating senior from college 93, I took a road trip to Memphis and visited Sun Studio. In the store above the studio, I purchased 2 U.K. Import CDs from Charley Records Limited, The Sun Story Vol. 1 Sunrise & The Sun Story Vol. 2 Rockabilly Rhythm. You wouldn't think that the Europeans would have a better handle on our own music but that always seems to be the case. By now I'm familiar with almost all of these songs. I can honestly say there aren't any "mailed in" performances to get on the album. Many of these songs are deceivingly simple, especially by today's standards, but to attack them with such sincerity is part of what makes this a great album.
Scotty Moore (Rock & Roll HOF inductee, Sun Records Elvis Presley guitarist) appears on "That's All Right" and "Don't Be Cruel" with D. J. Fontana (Elvis Presley drummer). In all honesty, Scotty deserves as much credit for the Rock and Roll stylings on those two songs as Elvis Presley. I'm glad he could be on the album with Paul McCartney no less.
Paul McCartney (no slouch in the legend department) does a bang up job on vocals with "That's all Right". He's very sincere. I don't see how you could sing this song without curling your lip. Perhaps he was.
I wish Scotty Moore could have played on "Mystery Train" (he took the Elvis version a much different direction from the Little Junior version), but Jeff Beck goes way beyond what Scotty did and rocks it out. Very Nice (show off)! Chrissie Hynde is her interesting self on vocals.
Jimmy Page & Robert Plant send up the sloppy "My Buckets Got A Hole In It" in true rock fashion.
Elton John pumps the piano in true Jerry Lee form on "Whole Lotta Shakin' Going On". Who has done more for the piano in Rock and Roll than Jerry Lee Lewis and Elton John? It just has to be on here.
It's great to have Carl Perkins on "Sittin' On Top Of The World". His distinctive voice sets up the even more distinctive Van Morrison to cut right into the song. Van Morrison, the producer, does himself a favor here, but it works really well.
Bob Dylan's "Red Cadillac And A Black Moustache" is a pull back in energy from the original Warren Smith version. I guess if you're Bob Dylan you can do whatever you want. His thinner, nasalier voice drips with the emotion of his later works.
"Lonely Weekend" by Matchbox 20 and "I Walk the Line" by Live are the more experimental tracks.
Chrlie Rich's (yes, the Silver Fox) "Lonely Weekend" was a well written, over produced song that he chose to sing in Elvis Presley vocal style. Matchbox 20 showed more originality than Charlie Rich in this regard.
Live decided to play with dynamics to create a dark and brooding "I Walk The Line". How can someone complain about a dark and brooding version of a Johnny Cash song? (When I play it I use lots of distortion too.)
My biggest disappointment is the Chris Isaak "It wouldn't be the same without you". Chris does a good job here, but his vocal abilities to channel the spirit of Elvis are not put to use. What were you thinking?! He has previously recorded "Blue Moon" for an Elvis tribute album with Scotty Moore, and I swear it sounded better than Elvis.
Finally, what can I say about Kid Rock? He belongs on here. Rap was as cutting edge as this music in its time. Bawdy and brash. I know Elvis would have rapped had he lived into the Nineteen Eighties. Great Album!
Free Music Review: Not The Usual 'Tribute' Sludge
Hit: 5 Stars
I usually hate these kinds of records -- recent duds include 'A Nod To Bob' and the 'Avalon Blues' collection. But this is in a class of its own. Paul McCartney's version of "That's Alright, Mama" is a fine opener, with assistance from Scottie Moore and DJ Fontana from the original 1955 session. Jeff Beck is amazing on "Mystery Train," conjuring up licks from every era of rockabilly. Chrissie Hynde, though, sounds as though she is having a gastric attack. The Page/Plant track is so-so, but Johnny Halliday's "Blue Suede Shoes" makes up for it. The Dylan "Red Cadillac" is amusing, if a bit strained. But the highspots are Sheryl Crowe's track, "Who Will The Next Fool Be?" (surely a Clapton guitar role here?), Matchbox 20 on "Lonely Weekend" and Kid Rock, et al., on "Drinking Wine SpohdeeOhDee".I'm old enough to remember the originals, and most of this CD is right up to standard. It was a shock to hear Carl Perkins with Van Morrison (obviously an older track), but it's a treat to hear him play some perfect guitar licks in the coda...
Oh, and Elton John's "Whole Lotta Shaking" is really cool...
Free Music Review: The roots that hold up the rock and roll tree
Hit: 5 Stars
When Sam Phillips opened the doors to Sun studios at 706 Union Ave. in Memphis back in the 1950's, little did he know that nearly a half century later the music would still pack a wallop. This album is rich in the traditions of rockabilly, R&B and country that permeated the region back in the day. The influence of the music flowed thrugh the blood of The Beatles in the past to Matchbox Twenty today. What a great listen... this album rocks. Rock and Roll lives on each and every track. Elton, Eric, Paul, Jimmy and Robert treat us to great interpretations of Sun classics and Live and MatchBox Twenty show us that their ain't no dust setling on them. A whole lot of shakin' went on in that studio and continues today!Free Music Review: A great tribute
Hit: 5 Stars
Being all too familiar with many of these songs I was curious to hear other artists interpretations.I was most impressed by Matchbox 20's cover of "Lonely Weekend",what a refreshing new spin on a true classic! Lead singer Rob Thomas takes this song to places it has never been before.Also noteworthy was Live's unique interpretation of "I Walk the Line." I much prefer the artists who took it upon themselves to do their own interpretation and not just copy the original,taking something that was good to begin with and transforming it,exposing the music to a new generation of fans.Free Music Review: Love this CD - favorite is "Lonely Weekends"
Hit: 5 Stars
This CD is very enjoyable and excellent quality. All the artists contribute great covers of the Sun Records songs, creative, often different from their usual styles. Some surprising performances! My favorite is "Lonely Weekends" by Matchbox Twenty. This cut is so bluesy and funky, with outstanding musical performance by the group - superb vocals by Rob Thomas!! Shows the range of their musical abilities. To me, that cut is worth the price of the whole CD. I also really enjoy the cover by Sheryl Crow - very bluesy and gutsy.
Can't wait to see it on PBS!