Rockabilly is decidedly out of vogue currently, so now is a good time to get hip to it. Actually, since the 50's, rockabilly has never really been cool. Revivalists the Flat Duo Jets (who rule) have recently gotten some coverage due to Jack White's recommendation, but they haven't been a band for a decade. When the most visible band in a genre is a retro group that's already broken up, you're looking at a pretty dead scene. Psychobilly occasionally almost achieves more mainstream success, but psychobilly is pretty fucking lame. It plays up the more cartoonish aspects of rockabilly and generally misses what makes the genre so great. OG Gene Vincent hits all the marks, and The Lost Dallas Sessions features some lo-fi and live recordings that do a good job of conveying the genuine badassery of Gene's brand of rockabilly.Gene Vincent is the sort of artist who sounds like he has to channel himself through his genre, whereas the jackasses who make psychobilly put on rockabilly like it's a costume. Psychobilly kids are from your high school drama department. Did you think your high school drama department had any concept of "cool?" "Avenue Q is totally edgy! I listen to 80's pop, isn't that unique and fun?"
Not. a. fan.
Meanwhile, Gene Vincent is able to reach a level of artistic accomplishment through this particular style that hints at multiple layers of influence and expression. You can hear all the way back to gospel, and you can hear all the way into the Velvet Underground. Dude transcends, and his complete immersion in the music he's playing destroys any kind of resistance you might have going into this whole "I think I'll check out rockabilly" thing. He always strikes the right balance of having a sense of humor, but playing it straight enough to sell it and bring out the darker, more ominous qualities of the music. The best example of this is "Cat Man" which is on a sweeeet rockabilly box set called "Rockin Bones."
Cat Man
That one tune completely decimates about 99% of rock songs. The fact that is was recorded in the mid-50's makes it an even stronger contender for most rockin' song ever committed to wax. Here're some choice tracks off of The Lost Dallas Sessions (Buy it) to give you an appetite for the destruction Gene Vincent brings. These are studio outtakes, live recordings, and home demos from 1957 and '58.
Blue Jean Bop (Live)
My Love (In Love Again)
Lotta Lovin
(Click here to continue reading...)
Posts
