bedsitter23 (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
bedsitter23) wrote2020-06-23 10:11 am
bedsitter23) wrote2020-06-23 10:11 am
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Great Lost Albums #4: Lee Rocker
Great Lost Albums # 4
A series in which I share albums that should have got more exposure. Unheard gems? I don't know. I liked them anyway.
Lee Rocker
Black Cat Bone
2010
Alligator Records
I could not think of a good criteria for this series, but what I put above. Lee Rocker isn't an obscure artist, and if you haven't heard of him, you do know the band he plays upright bass for, the Stray Cats.
Brian Setzer has always been the Stray Cat with the most exposure, but the other two stay busy. In the 1980s, they formed a band with Bowie/Lennon guitarist Earl Slick. In fact, they just re-released Phantom Rocker and Slick's second album Cover Girl, which still sounds seeped in 1986.
Like Setzer, Rocker has often pursued projects that seem obvious for someone who has the background he does; but he has also released some solo albums that don't fit in the usual categories.
I am picking this album to highlight, because it's a strong start to finish record. I expect you know what you are getting, but it's a great rockabilly record and even if he's not Setzer, Rocker is no slouch as a singer. In fact, if we have to talk about the (Stray) Elephant in the Room, this album surpasses a lot of Setzer's efforts in many ways- great selection of songs all written by Rocker, except one I believe, and adherence to the rockabilly sound of the Cats. Not too many modern rockabilly albums can compete.
Recommended tracks: I have to pick the opener "Gone" because it's so good, but check out "String Bass, Guitar and Drum" for some Cats-referencing rockabilly simplicity, "Crazy when she drinks" for a song that would fit easily on any Cats compilation, and slow things down with the title track.
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/89wuQcuOK3o" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
A series in which I share albums that should have got more exposure. Unheard gems? I don't know. I liked them anyway.
Lee Rocker
Black Cat Bone
2010
Alligator Records
I could not think of a good criteria for this series, but what I put above. Lee Rocker isn't an obscure artist, and if you haven't heard of him, you do know the band he plays upright bass for, the Stray Cats.
Brian Setzer has always been the Stray Cat with the most exposure, but the other two stay busy. In the 1980s, they formed a band with Bowie/Lennon guitarist Earl Slick. In fact, they just re-released Phantom Rocker and Slick's second album Cover Girl, which still sounds seeped in 1986.
Like Setzer, Rocker has often pursued projects that seem obvious for someone who has the background he does; but he has also released some solo albums that don't fit in the usual categories.
I am picking this album to highlight, because it's a strong start to finish record. I expect you know what you are getting, but it's a great rockabilly record and even if he's not Setzer, Rocker is no slouch as a singer. In fact, if we have to talk about the (Stray) Elephant in the Room, this album surpasses a lot of Setzer's efforts in many ways- great selection of songs all written by Rocker, except one I believe, and adherence to the rockabilly sound of the Cats. Not too many modern rockabilly albums can compete.
Recommended tracks: I have to pick the opener "Gone" because it's so good, but check out "String Bass, Guitar and Drum" for some Cats-referencing rockabilly simplicity, "Crazy when she drinks" for a song that would fit easily on any Cats compilation, and slow things down with the title track.
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/89wuQcuOK3o" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>