I'll bet you couldn't guess what's been my top playing record this year.
Robert Gordon with Link Wray --Rockabilly, not the sort of thing I'm known to peddle.
It's an import release that combines two albums recorded back to back in '77/78. This is simple straight up Rock & Roll made by fine craftsmen (the rhythm section -- Rob Stone|bass, Howie Wyeth|drums -- had recently played on Dylan's Desire).
Robert Gordon was a man born out of time - in a way, born at a bad time. These tracks, which lifted Gordon from the relative unknown (mucking about in the Lower Eastside Punk scene), hit the radio at the unfortunate convergence of all things Fifties nostalgia - the unflattering death of Elvis, Sha Na Na, Happy Days, Grease. It didn't help that Gordon slicked his hair back a la Kenickie.
Catching that leather coat tail is probably exactly what Gordon's label wanted, but being tied in to a bundle of sap simply didn't help sales. As well, the Boss gave them Fire but it wasn't a hit (The Pointer Sisters took it to number two the following year). No matter, the fact is these guys cranked out a fine original body of work -- at least worth a Dave Thomas (Wendys)*.
In the end Robert Gordon is much less a rockabilly caricature than the Stray Cats who took the Gene Vincent thing to its ultimate pop limit in the 80's. Gordon dropped the pomp. His live style had urban appeal. Fortunately the recordings didn't need to be redressed. These tracks stand up to the test of time.
Take it from me, you don't have to be a true believin' rockabilly daddy to get into this record. If rockabilly were sparkling wine, this album would be Dom Pérignon.
Check it: Best history of the sessions can be found at bottom of this page. Some live footage on der youtuben. A teeny picture of Dave Thomas.
Songs:
The Fool (Tricia's Favorite)
Twenty Flight Rock (with Elvis backup singers, the Jordanaires)
*David Thomas rating system courtesy of NAP founder Ramone Medina - system can be found here.
It's an import release that combines two albums recorded back to back in '77/78. This is simple straight up Rock & Roll made by fine craftsmen (the rhythm section -- Rob Stone|bass, Howie Wyeth|drums -- had recently played on Dylan's Desire).
Robert Gordon was a man born out of time - in a way, born at a bad time. These tracks, which lifted Gordon from the relative unknown (mucking about in the Lower Eastside Punk scene), hit the radio at the unfortunate convergence of all things Fifties nostalgia - the unflattering death of Elvis, Sha Na Na, Happy Days, Grease. It didn't help that Gordon slicked his hair back a la Kenickie.
Catching that leather coat tail is probably exactly what Gordon's label wanted, but being tied in to a bundle of sap simply didn't help sales. As well, the Boss gave them Fire but it wasn't a hit (The Pointer Sisters took it to number two the following year). No matter, the fact is these guys cranked out a fine original body of work -- at least worth a Dave Thomas (Wendys)*.
In the end Robert Gordon is much less a rockabilly caricature than the Stray Cats who took the Gene Vincent thing to its ultimate pop limit in the 80's. Gordon dropped the pomp. His live style had urban appeal. Fortunately the recordings didn't need to be redressed. These tracks stand up to the test of time.
Take it from me, you don't have to be a true believin' rockabilly daddy to get into this record. If rockabilly were sparkling wine, this album would be Dom Pérignon.
Check it: Best history of the sessions can be found at bottom of this page. Some live footage on der youtuben. A teeny picture of Dave Thomas.
Songs:
The Fool (Tricia's Favorite)
Twenty Flight Rock (with Elvis backup singers, the Jordanaires)
*David Thomas rating system courtesy of NAP founder Ramone Medina - system can be found here.
3 Comments:
I'd never heard of this guy until they reissued the SCTV Network 90 run on DVD... he was the guest musician on one of those shows, being confused with astronaut Gordon Cooper by Dave Thomas (not the Wendys guy) doing a somewhat addled Walter Cronkite covering a shuttle launch.
I have on vinyl the second of the two LP's comprising the CD. Now taking offers... :-)
Fresh Fish Special the second album (and also a reference to a haircut from the movie Jailhouse Rock) is my favorite of the two. I think all the songs are strong, except I just don't like Fire. Apparently Bruce Springsteen wanted Robert Gordon to have that song - wanted to hear him sing it. I just think it's dull (it's dull when the Pointer Sisters sing it too).
There, maybe that'll help you make your sale Conor.
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