Rockanites - Helluva Job - No. 199

Rockanites - Helluva Job

Some time back, I got this new CD "Helluva Job" from the Rockanites. You can read what I had to say about their debut album further down below. The recording has been done in June 2017! Well, that's not to say I've been sitting on it for almost a year. You see, I'm scratching together some excuses! First let me say, this CD is on a par with "Great Shakes" and all songs are originals, mostly penned by Tuomas (with some third party input on a couple of tracks).

There's a slight line-up change compared to their previous outing, but it falls all into place. Before I go on, Tuomas sent me a letter together with the CD in which he claims that this is not strictly (my words) Rockabilly, R&B or something along these lines. He thinks of it as a Rock'n'Roll record. Forgive me, but I hear (mostly) Rockabilly in one form or the other. Even a track like "Boyfriend" has that certain 50's vibe. Maybe especially this track. Even if I agree with Tuomas, this one ain't Rockabilly, but it does breathe the air of the times. Could have been written in 1958 or thereabouts. A classic!

I always find it amazing when a band comes up with all original material, especially in the Rockabilly genre, where covers are the plat du jour. Nothing against a good presentation of a well known or not so well known classic, but this here is in another league. The reception of the album is a very coherent one. Well done lads! I've never seen the band live, but this is something on my to-do-list. The CD clocks in at around 35 minutes give or take.

As to the availability of the CD, I see on the www that some Finnish record stores are carrying the item. However, I think your best approach would be to contact Tuomas on the Rockanites Facebook website. Have a go at it, you know I'm serious about good music.

Cheers

Devon

Pete Gage - Sweet Hearted Woman - No. 198

Pete Gage - Sweet Hearted Woman

A while ago Pete Gage released his new album "Sweet Hearted Woman" (available on his website https://www.petegagemusic.com/). I'm just the lazy bugger these days, so it's just now that I'll say a few words about the CD. A word of caution: I'm a Pete Gage fan. My words are not very objective. Just wanted to make this very clear.

One reason I like Pete's releases is the fact, that he doesn't work the same paths as he did with Dr. Feelgood. This is completely different and if you want pogo in the pit and your eardrums shattered, you better subscribe to a Norwegian folkdance channel. This here is yours truly sitting at home, choosing a dram of the best single malt in the house, sitting down, feet up and just enjoying a CD. It's relaxing and goes extremely well with a Bowmore (25 years) or an Ardbeg (10 years). You're losing track of time, especially if you have this on automatic replay.

What you get is some of the best songwriting this side of the musical spectrum. The songs meander between Blues and Jazz and convey a mood that's thoughtful and inverted. I say this on purpose. Yet this is not depressing, somehow you get to think about the meaning of life (42, in case you didn't know) and your mind drifts off a bit. I've very seldom heard an album which has such a physical attraction. You're involved with all your senses. And the musicianship is first rate.

Pete has just the voice to carry these songs and they are on the right side of justifying repeat listening. All these tracks have been written by Pete himself and it's a stellar performance of his. However, the other players are top notch as well. Just let me mention Sean McBride, who gives a certain interesting patina to the songs. But then, I'm deep into Jazz (amongst other things). The soundquality is just great. I don't think this is a recording that's been fiddled with until all life escapes from the tracks. Another one where you have to open your wallet, otherwise you're going to miss some great music.

Cheers

Devon

Rockanites - Great Shakes - #197

Rockanites - Great Shakes

The last I knew about Tuomas' whereabouts was my review in post #193 (Jolly Roger). He has found a new stomping ground with the Rockanites. This is a brandnew combo and, of course, hails from Finland. World capital country of Rock'n'Roll and Rock-a-Billy. No, make this a large slice of the music scene in general. The important part!

Let me think, I might have to rewrite this again. Where's Noise, Improvisation, Industrial and the like from Finland? I believe, there might be a hole somewhere. But it's Rock'n'Roll/Rock-a-Billy we're concerned with here. The band is made up of three individuals:

Tuomas - Vocals and Guitars
Janne - Drums
Sami - Bull Fiddle Bass (hey guys, you just lost me there, I will have to look this up)

What you get here is an offer of nine songs, clocking in at just under the half hour mark. And, once again, I'm very much impressed by a band from Finland, not a single cover version here. Not that this is a bad thing in itself, but lots of Neo Rock'n'Roll/Rock-a-Billy bands play it safe and release albums without a single original idea. Not these guys. Tuomas must have worked some overtime, as eight of the nine tracks are his, with Janne (I assume it's Janne) being listed for one song.

My brain is running in circles, I have half an idea whose parents "My Grain-O-Salt Baby" are. This is just one of these thoughts that you can't pinpoint and it drives you nuts. An excellent piece with a nice retro feeling from a bygone era. It's really old-fashioned, I can't help it. Excellent track, no doubt about it. "Mopin' 'bout Your Man" echoes a certain song as well, but I assume this owes more to the style than an actual blueprint. What I want to say is, you're feeling instantly at home with all of those nine selections.

Now that I have listened to the CD for about the 30th/40th time (I kid you not!), some words about Tuomas' singing. Somehow, I think he hits the nail right on the head. His voice is very much suited to the tracks (and not just because he wrote most of them). His voice is such, that you can sit through repeat listens without getting tired. Do I hear some Mick Green influences on guitar? Yes, I do. "Feelin' Horny Tonite" is such a case. Learned from the best, did you?

Janne seems to be a rock solid drummer, but his playing is always in the service of the songs. Not a show-off like so many, just bolting the band to the floor and giving directions. You can actually hear how the band is being ... it's like a railroad train huffing and puffing and Sami, the man on the bass, is oiling the wheels and shifting coal on the steep ascent. Those three guys are really clicking.

The CD was recorded in April 2016 in Helsinki. I'm not sure you can buy this album in any shop outside of Finland, but you can contact the band on their Facebook website, I'm sure you can work something out, so you're soon the proud owner of "Great Shakes".

Uh, and don't forget the Pin-up Girl on the cover and at the back of the booklet. Just sayin'

Cheers

Devon

Red Elvises - Grooving To The Moscow Beat - #196

Red Elvises - Grooving To The Moscow Beat

I found this CD only today in one of my local record shops and I'm asking myself, where have I been all those years? Never heard of the Red Elvises despite the fact that this release dates from 1996 and they seem to have released quite a number of albums. Looks like I'm the only one who was not aware of this band.

Strange little CD this is. You get everything from Rock-a-Billy to Tango and Country (and a lot in between). There's a bit of Russian influence present, or should I say, probably fake Russian influence? It's a bit tongue-in-cheek but not overtly so. Although you might be tempted to compare them to the Leningrad Cowboys, albeit on a small scale, you're entirely off track. There are a few guests on this release, so that gives the whole listening experience a full bodied sound. And by the time you've made it to the last song, "Romantic Junk", you're hooked.

There's even a website at www.redelvises.com

Cheers

Devon 

Riyoko Takagi - The Debut! - #195

Riyoko Takagi - The Debut!

Don't ask me! No idea how I came across Riyoko Takagi and her debut album "The Debut!". All I can say, once I checked out videos on the internet, I knew that I was dabbling in a "musical" genre, that's not really mine. Forgettable and mediocre music, somewhere between cheap Dance stuff, that you actually believed was stone dead since at least 1996 and Easy Listening, Japanese style.

Not knowing what to say about this "music", I better talk about her videos. Except, there's not much to say either. Ms Takagi seems to perform almost everytime showing her two sales points (covered by a bra) to the public. O.K., she's definitely good looking, but she (probably) overdid it on surgery. Less is sometimes more, actually.

The video is kind of funny though. There's almost nothing else for the camera to show but her breasts. Nowadays the "sex sells" videos seem to be the fashion of the day, but this here is ... well, I've seen a few Japanese music videos that exploit the female gender in a way you wouldn't see in a video around here, not that I can come up with any.

The CD comes with a DVD as well, so, it's your choice. Just don't expect any revelations regarding music. You've been warned. I like the package!

Cheers

Devon

Steve Hooker - Duende Blues - #194

Steve Hooker - Duende Blues

Frankly, I'm done with reviews (mostly), as you can see from the frequency this blog is being updated. I'd rather enjoy LPs and CDs on my own (and going to gigs), than let the world know what I think about something. Not that the world cares, btw. However, every now and then music lands on my tt/in my player that's worthwhile losing a few words about. Not that it sinks like a stone in deep water. Steve Hooker's new one is a record that deserves such a push.

I admit, I'm a Steve Hooker fan since way back when. Actually must have been before I saw him live at the Sommercasino in Basel in the year of our Lord 19andsomething. His latest release is a seven song offer (I believe the two remixed songs have been issued earlier - I'm just too lazy to search for the MCD). What you get here is Steve Hooker at full throttle. Quite the way you associate the music with the man. Always on Rockabilly's edge.

... you still with me?

The only downside is the short playing time of this CD. At just over 25 minutes not really a full evening's worth of entertainment, unless you count repeat playings as a way of extending the enjoyment (and believe, you will). Steve Hooker came up with a couple of excellent songs, not a dud in there. As a matter of fact, the album had me caught right from the start. I believe, it took me all of three seconds to get into the groove.

As long as Steve Hooker and others release new music, all is not lost. So, it's even more important that you keep artists like him afloat. Buy this CD (PIMPHOUSE CD2) and if you can make it, go to see the man in person at one of his gigs. I've just been playing this now for the fourth time in the last two hours. Yes, that's how good this one is.

Cheers

Devon

Jolly Roger - Third Strike - #193

Jolly Roger - Third Strike

Between general lazyness and the fact that I switched from a Windows system to a Mac (and you all know what that implies), I'm forgiven for being late. Very late in fact! I got this CD back in March 2015 and it's been on my desk ever since, being played on the small stereo system I have at my computer working place at home.

There's some Jolly Roger in my collection, but what caught my ear with this release was the fact how Rockabilly the album is. Modern/classic Rockabilly, not the watered down version you hear nowadays every now and then and yet, not the barely dusted off stuff from yesteryear either (not that I have anything to say against a good 50's Rockabilly platter - in this case, a CD). And Tuomas is right about the sound, excellent. Not polished to death and then some, just excellent recording with a clean and crisp soud.

What do you get here? 12 original tracks and they're all keepers! And for the romantics out there, there's a ballad to be found here as well. While I write this, "For Now And Never Again" has just started and this is the one ... usually it's either Rockabilly or bust, but this is good enought to make the cut. Strange, the track makes me go and fetch a Port Charlotte Cask Strength Single Cask Malt Whisky. Bear with me, I'm back in a minute!

62.7 % of peat and smoke makes a grown man cry (of joy and happiness). In general, this disc goes for a very entertaining 36+ minutes of your valuable time and I can't single out certain tracks. Tuomas, who's not with the band anymore, has nevertheless taken the mike on three songs. However, not to prefer any singer over the other, K.T., Ande and Tuomas do their part on their respective tracks and this is very competent singing. In ancient times, K.T. Kotila was with Jolly B Good, hence maybe the wordplay. And another former member of the latter makes an appearance here, although "only" in the form of the song "Shame What You Do", where Teppo Nättilä has a composing co-credit.

If you're even remotely interested in today's Rockabilly scene and if you think, some of the best Rock music comes straight out of  Finland, then this here is for you. I can tell you one thing though, the CD is not going to show up in your local record shop (if you live outside Finland, that is). Try your luck with ande.niem@gmail.com (this is the address that's printed in the booklet). I suppose you can work something out.

I'll follow this up with a more detailed review on my website. But at the rate I'm going right now, don't expect anything before 2016. In the meantime, I'll keep this slab of plastic ready to pop into the CD player whenever the urge hits me.

Cheers

Devon

Sven-Åke Johansson - Konzert für 12 Traktoren - #192

Sven-Åke Johansson - Konzert für 12 Traktoren

Here's one I recently discovered: Sven-Åke Johansson's "Konzert für 12 Traktoren" (Concert for 12 Tractors). Being the Avant-Garde buff that I am, this, of course, quite fascinated me (and I do have some strange records in my collection).

If you want to check it out, this masterpiece (no pun intended, seriously) can be heard here in all its glory

https://trostrecords.bandcamp.com/album/konzert-f-r-12-traktoren

Available as a DL or on Vinyl.

Cheers

Devon