April 2003
Lee Rocker Bulletproof This CD sounds good. The song writing and musicianship are great. It sounds very much like the Stray Cats, but with Rocker singing. Although I don't usually like the sound of steel strings, Lee Rocker's bass sounds great and is very clear on this disc. I especially like 'Evil', the first song. Bass players take note: the last song is a minute and a half of bass and only bass. web site leerocker.com November 2002 The Four Charms Flatland Boogie This is one great disc. Right away I knew it was good. About half way throught the second song 'Hit that Jive Jack' Jimmy Sutton takes it to another level with a long and smooth bass solo. His tone is excellent and his style is right up there with Willie Dixon and Bill Black. The sax and guitar fit very well together. The CD art was all done by Jimmy Sutton as well has promoting the CD on his own label, 'Hi Style Enterprises'. Recorded in 2000 this CD is great for anybody that likes Willy Dixon's style, Bill Haley and the Comets or swing. web site fourcharms.com October 2002 The Rizlaz London Sessions The Rizlaz are from Japan and have been together since 1998. The London Sessions is a 3 song EP that packs a lot of punch. Running at less than 8 minutes it is short and to the point. Japanese rockabilly at its finest. The recording has a modern rockabilly sound, is powerful and was obviously recorded in a professional studio. These guys have played Viva Las Vegas and the Rockabilly Rave. If they come to your town, don't miss the Rizlaz! web site shibuya.cool.ne.jp/rizlaz September 2002 Crazy Legs Right on Time From Brazil comes a rockabilly band that the local paper, Folha de São Paulo, gave four stars. The vocals seem to be a little strained, but I like the this CD. It reminded me of the Stray Cats with, at times, a guitar tone of the Hellbilly's (although this is no psychobilly album). I'd like to see more Brazillian bands doing rockabilly this well. Sonny Rocker is the bass player and does a good job keeping the songs interesting. web site crazylegs.com.br September 2002 Big Sandy and His Fly-Rite Boys Night Tide Big Sandy and His Fly-Rite Boys have done it again. This album is great! The first thing that I noticed about this album is that they recorded in stereo this time around. Big Sandy and the Boys tastefully blend Western Swing, Hillbilly Boogie, and Rockabilly in a unigue way. In my opinion this may be their best effort yet. Jeff plays all gut strings and the tone of his bass is superb, not to mention his techique. web site bigsandy.net August 2002 Cave Catt Sammy Love Me Like Crazy Cave Catt Sammy's second full legnth album is just about as authentic sounding as you can get. Recorded by Wally from Big Sandy's Fly-Rite Trio this cd is great. The bass has excellent tone on all fourteen songs. Listening to the musicianship, it's hard to believe that these guys are barely old enough to drink. Beau "Sammy" Sample plays a 1951 Kay M-1 Bass, gut strings with an Underwood pickup and is also a great singer songwriter. web site cavecattsammy.com August 2002 Dusty 45s Shackin' Up From Seattle comes a great band named the Dusty 45s. Their live shows should not be missed! Billy Joe Huels dominates the stage with great lead vocals, guitar and trumpet playing. Don't leave early or you'll miss the lighting of the trumpet. Shakin' up has eleven tracks made up of roots rockin' - rockabilly - boogie woogie. Kevin Scott does an excellent job playing bass on this album as well as live. I hope they come back to town soon. web site dusty45s.com January 2002 Lee Rocker Rockabilly Slap Bass Video This video covers basic bass set up and slap bass techniques.  Lee Rocker played with the Stray Cats in the 80s.  He goes over a couple of scales and demonstrates different how to play different feels, like swing and rockabilly. He also plays a few songs with the band that he was in during the time that he made this video (1995) Big Blue. Songs include:  Goin' To Kansa City, Big Blue Train, The Hucklebuck, Find Another Man and That's All Right Mama. Lee Rocker plays King Double basses and Steel Strings with a magnetic pick up. I had the chance to see Lee Rocker earlier this month, they mostly played old rockabilly covers.  Which was fine by me, the crowd loved 'em and Lee Rocker really tore it up. web site  leerocker.com This instructional video is 60 minutes long and available through homespun tapes. 1-800-33-tapes December, 2000 Hank III Rising Outlaw I had the chance to see Hank III in San Francisco last month, what a show!  The band sounded like I took a step back in time, and was witnessing Hank Williams senior.  Their second set was pure punk rock, well punk with a doghouse bass and a fiddle! Hank III covers most of the songs on this release and does a good job!  The bass sounds good and only gets buried on a few occasions.  This CD is a must have if you like Wayne Hancock and Big Sandy, pure Hillbilly music. Unfortunately a couple of songs start to lean towards today's commercial country pop, but I have a feeling the record label is to blame, especially after seeing the band live. Hank's website  Hank3.com November, 2000 Brian Setzer Orchestra Vavoom! Brian Setzer has established a name for himself in the rockabilly and swing scenes.  He has a 19 piece orchestra and puts a rockabilly feel in it.  This album has 2 Glen Miller covers, done well. Bassists Tony Garnier and Mark Winchester were used on this CD. The biggest highlight on this album is Brian Setzer's version of Caravan! This CD is not straight rockabilly, so if you want plain ole rockabilly you may not want it, but Brian Setzer is a great guitarist and this is a good CD. contact  Brian Setzer Orchestra November, 2000 Hillbilly Hellcats Our Brand  I couldn't wait to get my hands on this CD.  A fine 2nd release.  I think that I liked their first CD is a little better, but this one is still a must have for my collection.   Chuck writes some great lyrics.  The fist song Road Rage is a true sign of the times. Lance's bass playing is very inspiring. contact   Hillbilly Hellcats   November, 2000 Hillbilly Hellcats Rev it up with Taz  This CD is great!  Twenty songs recorded in 2 days.  Taz played really well with Chuck and Lance on this album.  If you like The Reverend Horton Heat you'll like this.  It's fast and still has a real rockabilly beat. Lance plays very well and the bass is plenty loud.  It never gets lost in the mix.  You must get this CD!                  contact  Hillbilly Hellcats

ABOUT US| INTERVIEWS | LESSONS | LINKS | MESSAGE BOARD | PICTURES | REVIEWS | TIPS