Steve Hooker - Before The Rooster Crows - #3

Steve Hooker - Before The Rooster Crows

A new Steve Hooker release is always very welcome. This here is almost a year old and has nearly been played to death in my CD player. Fourteen slices of Rock, the way I like it. There's even a Dr. Feelgood connection. "When The Night Comes Down Again" features Wilko Johnson on guitar.  And being the completist collector of everything Dr. Feelgood/Wilko Johnson, this is a must have. However, don't think for a second I'm collecting Steve Hooker because of the Wilko Johnson connection. The guy is excellent in his own right, there is no need for namedropping. Having said that, I must mention Boz Boorer and Levi Dexter on a few tracks as well. But this is a Steve Hooker release and not one of these awful "... And Friends" outings, that are sold only on the strength of the guest participants.

What is being offered here, is the trademark Rock/Rockabilly, that you've already heard on some of his earlier records. A few of the tracks have already made an appearance on earlier releases. Without having gone through the tracklisting, I'd say, most of the cuts are new to the public. Even discounting remastered songs. Besides the track featuring Wilko Johnson, my favourites are clearly "40 Dollar Picture In A Priceless Golden Frame" with Boz, "Downtown" with Levi (that has a heavy heavy rhythm and I can't decide wether it turns into the Rock'n'Roll or the Bluesrock lane - whatever, a fantastic piece) , ""Snake Eyed Mama" with Levi (a straight enough Rock'n'Roller) or "Jeannie With The Dark Blue Eyes" with Tetsuji and Hiroshi. If I don't mention the other songs, this is not because they're not worthwile. It's rather that all fourteen slices are fantastic.

I've seen the CD in a few shops, so I have to assume, that there's some sort of a decent distribution. The album is very recommended and your dealer can order this for you. You can also point your browser to http://www.stevehooker.co.uk/ and buy it directly from Steve's own website (and get some other stuff you're still missing out). Support the artist and keep good music alive. You won't regret handing over your hard earned cash for this CD.


Cheers


Devon