Rockabilly for Life

Rockabilly for Life

Rockabilly for Life

Rockabilly for Life

CD

$16.99 
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Overview

When Robert Gordon started singing rockabilly in the mid-'70s, the notion of a new artist playing rock & roll in an authentic '50s style (and not as a gag, in the manner of Sha Na Na) was considered radical enough that he was still welcome at CBGB even after leaving the proto-punk outfit Tuff Darts for something more retro. More than four decades later, Gordon has gone from being a rebel to a traditionalist without changing a bit; he's a guy who, at least as far as music goes, would just as soon time had stopped before the Beatles came along and changed everything. In some rockabilly circles, he's revered as an old-school hero just as he worshiped Elvis Presley and Gene Vincent back in the day, and as befits an esteemed veteran, his 2020 album Rockabilly for Life features him belting out a selection of rockabilly classics with a handful of guest stars to keep things lively. The guest list is pretty impressive, including Dave Alvin of the Blasters, James Williamson of Iggy and the Stooges, former David Letterman bandleader Paul Shaffer, Blondie drummer Clem Burke, Go-Go's guitarist Kathy Valentine, country star Steve Wariner, and Linda Gail Lewis, Jerry Lee's pianist and sister. With so many worthwhile artists stopping by to show their support, it would be nice to report that Rockabilly for Life is a great comeback for Gordon; unfortunately, that isn't quite the case. Though the cameo appearances are well intended, several amount to not much more than a bit of overdubbed vocals or soloing. Overall, the production and arrangements sound rather generic, competent, and expert without bringing anything very exciting to these very familiar tunes. And Gordon, who was 73 when this album was released, doesn't quite have the voice he once did. He has trouble with his high notes, his instrument isn't as flexible as in his salad days, and his timing is off every once in a while. He counters that with plenty of passion and obvious commitment to this material, and he's still a better-than-average rockabilly vocalist. However, compared to his classic recordings of the '70s and '80s, these performances sound rough and a bit weary. Of course, Gordon is still alive, kicking, and singing rock & roll well past the usual retirement age, something Presley and Vincent never managed, and Rockabilly for Life honors his influence and commitment to hepcats everywhere, warts and all. ~ Mark Deming

Product Details

Release Date: 08/21/2020
Label: Cleopatra
UPC: 0889466176029
Rank: 36774

Tracks

  1. Steady With Betty
  2. Let's Go Baby
  3. Everybody¿¿¿s Rocking But Me
  4. She Will Come Back
  5. Try Me
  6. I¿¿¿m Glad My Baby's Gone Away
  7. Please Give Me Something
  8. Black Cadillac
  9. Three Alley Cats
  10. If You Want It Enough
  11. Hot Dog! That Made Her Mad
  12. One Cup of Coffee
  13. I've Had Enough
  14. Would Ja
  15. Knock Three Times
  16. Steady With Betty
  17. Let¿¿¿s Go Baby
  18. Everybody's Rocking But Me
  19. She Will Come Back
  20. Try Me
  21. I¿¿¿m Glad My Baby¿¿¿s Gone Away
  22. Please Give Me Something
  23. Black Cadillac
  24. Three Alley Cats
  25. If You Want It Enough
  26. Hot Dog! That Made Her Mad
  27. One Cup of Coffee
  28. I¿¿¿ve Had Enough
  29. Would Ja
  30. Knock Three Times

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Robert Gordon   Primary Artist,Vocals
Rosie Flores   Primary Artist,Guitar,Vocals
Chris Spedding   Primary Artist,Guitar,Guest Artist
James Williamson   Primary Artist,Guitar,Guest Artist
Linda Gail Lewis   Primary Artist,Piano,Vocals
Kathy Valentine   Primary Artist,Guitar,Vocals
Albert Lee   Primary Artist,Guitar
Dale Watson   Primary Artist,Guitar,Vocals
Dave Alvin   Primary Artist,Guitar
Paul Shaffer   Primary Artist,Piano
Steve Cropper   Primary Artist,Guitar
Joe Louis Walker   Primary Artist,Guitar
Clem Burke   Primary Artist,Drums
Jimmy Hall   Primary Artist,Harmonica
Emanuela Hutter   Primary Artist,Vocals
Steve Wariner   Primary Artist,Guitar
Mysti Moon   Vocals (Background)
Paul Vezelis   Drums
Pierre Pelegrin   Bass
Danny B. Harvey   Piano,Guitar,Guitar (Rhythm),Guitar (Acoustic)
Annie Marie Lewis   Vocals (Background)
Matt Farrell   Piano
Bobby Snell   Pedal Steel

Technical Credits

Nico Leophonte   Engineer
Glen Troutman   Composer
Russell Trost   Composer
Daniel Barker   Composer
George Kay   Composer
Nicholas Francis Stein   Engineer
Brian Feli   Composer
Jim Feli   Composer
Jim A. King   Composer
Shelby Singleton   Composer
Charles Singleton   Composer
Don Raye   Composer
Jack Turner   Composer
Robert Gordon   Assistant
Joyce Green   Composer
Jerry Reed   Composer
Roy Hall   Composer
Adam Hamilton   Engineer
Danny B. Harvey   Mixing,Arranger,Producer
Henry Jerome   Composer
Wynn Stewart   Composer
Conway Twitty   Composer
Benny Joy   Composer
Vince Ray   Design,Artwork
John Lappen   A&R,Artist Relations
Mel Howard   Composer
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