Hub Caps - 3rd Base

Hub Caps - 3rd Base
Enviken Records

Track Listing:
1. Betty Lou
2. Little Linn
3. Mary Lou
4. I Want U
5. Cindy
6. Sweetheart
7. Warpaint
8. Island Bop
9. Hot Rod Racing
10. Long Blond Hair
11. Tiger
12. I Like It Like That
13. Pretty Little Baby Love
14. Quicksand Love

The Hubcaps are a Swedish band formed in 2001 by Johnny Valentine (guitar and vocals) and Ricky James (slap bass). Dutch drummer Igor Slootman joined the band in 2005 to form the trio they are today. I haven't been aware of their previous releases but their latest on the excellent Enviken label is a blast.

This is pure rock 'n' roll energy and there isn't a weak track on offer. Most of the fourteen songs are original with a couple of great covers. The opening track is a belting rockabilly number in the Pearly Lee category, and if it's as good live as Billy Lee's was then the band are on a winner. There's a few flat out stompers in the style of Jack Baymoore, particularly Little Linn.

They've obviously spent a couple of terms at the School of Dave Edmunds, as his influence looms large on two superb tracks, I Want U and Pretty Little Baby Love. Cindy kicks off in Warren Smith mode before turning into a mid tempo beauty and Island Bop is just so damn hypnotic. The covers of Quicksand Love, Warpaint and Long Blond Hair are great, although they don't quite match Shaky on Tiger.

A wonderful release that's amongst the best modern CD's of the year. Brilliant.

Shakin' Stevens - The Epic Masters Box Set

Releleased: 13. November 2009
Format: Box-Set 10 CD's
Label: Sony Music

The Most Definitive CD Release From Shaky To Date..

All Tracks remastered 2009 !

"The Epic masters has finally arrived and without a shadow of a doubt it is truely stunning. Housed in a superb box, complete with mini album replicas and inner lining notes, a 20 page booklet and fully remastered, we get the nine main epic album releases with a bonus cd of 12" remixes. Cd 1 through to 10 is take one! It's cd debut, followed by this ole house, shaky ( 1st time on cd in the uk), give me your heart tonight (again 1st time on cd in the uk), the bop won't stop, lipstick powder & paint (1st time on cd), let's boogie, a whole lotta shaky, there are two kinds of music...rock 'n roll and a cd of 12" versions.

Many rare tracks and b-sides etc are included on the matching releases which just adds to the importance of this release. These tracks have been overlooked by Shaky himself and many of them have new tweaks and arrangements. This means something new and fresh to listen to for the fans.

The booklet contains great info and pictures of the discography that will take you down memory lane in the old days of vinyl.

The price of this box is a snip for the 147 tracks and love that has been poured into making this the ultimate Shaky experience.

If you think you've heard all these albums before then think again. This is a truely unique experience as you discover the retro sound all over again as never heard before"

At long last Epic give the Uk`s top charting artist of the 1980`s (4 number one singles) the box set he deserves and Shaky had a hand in compiling it too.

Personally a few more alts/unissued would be better than the 12" mix album, which is missing the great Viz sleeved I Might 12" (the only one I ever bought!!), great to get Apron Strings my fav flip at last
Mewwy Cwissmuss Evwyone

Flip

Tracks:

Disc 1: Take One!

1.Lovestruck
2.Hot Dog (Album Version)
3.Is A Bluebird Blue?
4.That’s All Right
5.Without A Love
6.Shame Shame Shame
7.Shotgun Boogie
8.I Got Burned
9.I Guess I Was A Fool
10.Ah, Poor Little Baby
11.Little Pigeon
12.Do What You Did
13.Apron Strings (Bonus Track)
14.Treat Her Right (Bonus Track)
15.No Other Baby (Bonus Track)
16.Endless Sleep (Bonus Track)
17.Fire (Bonus Track)
18.Spooky (Bonus Track)

Disc 2: This Ole House

1.Hey Mae
2.Baby If We Touch
3.Marie Marie
4.Lonely Blue Boy
5.Make It Right Tonight
6.Move
7.Slippin’ And Slidin’
8.Shooting Gallery
9.Revenue Man
10.Make Me Know You’re Mine
11.This Ole House
12.Nobody
13.Two Hearts Two Kisses (Bonus Track)

Disc 3: Shaky

1.Mona Lisa
2.You Drive Me Crazy
3.I’m Knockin’
4.It’s Raining
5.Don’t She Look Good
6.Green Door
7.Don’t Bug Me Baby
8.Don’t Tell Me Your Troubles
9.I’m Gonna Sit Right Down And Write Myself A Letter
10.This Time
11.Baby You’re A Child
12.Don’t Turn Your Back
13.Let Me Show You How
14.I’m Lookin’
15.You And I Were Meant To Be (Bonus Track)

Disc 4: Give Me Your Heart Tonight

1.Josephine
2.Give Me Your Heart Tonight
3.Sapphire
4.Oh Julie
5.I’ll Be Satisfied
6.Vanessa
7.Boppity Bop
8.Don’t Tell Me We’re Through
9.Shirley
10.You Never Talked About Me
11.Too Too Much
12. (Yeah) You’re Evil
13.Que Sera, Sera
14.I‘m For You (Bonus Track)
15.Thinkin’ Of You (Bonus Track)
16.Don’t Be Late (Miss Kate) (Bonus Track)
17.Lawdy Miss Clawdy (Live) (Bonus Track)

Disc 5: The Bop Won’t Stop

1.The Bop Won’t Stop
2.Why Do You Treat Me This Way?
3.Diddle I
4.Don’t Be Two Faced
5.Livin’ Lovin’ Wreck
6.A Rockin’ Good Way (To Mess Around And Fall In Love) (Duet With Bonnie Tyler)
7.Brand New Man
8.Cry Just A Little Bit
9.As Long As
10.A Love Worth Waiting For
11.Love Me Tonight
12.It’s Late
13. It’s Good For You (Baby) (Bonus Track)
14.Your Ma Said You Cried In Your Sleep Last Night (Bonus Track)
15.A Letter To You (Bonus Track)
16.Come Back And Love Me (Bonus Track)

Disc 6: Lipstick Powder And Paint

1.Lipstick Powder And Paint
2.Bad Reputation
3.Don’t Lie To Me
4.I’m Leaving You
5.The Shape I’m In
6.Don’t Knock Upon My Door
7.Turning Away
8.Love You Out Loud
9.As Long As I Have You
10.With My Heart
11.Ain’t It A Shame (You Win Again)
12.So Long Baby Goodbye
13.Teardrops (Bonus Track)
14.You Shake Me Up (Bonus Track)
15.Breaking Up My Heart (Bonus Track)
16.I’ll Give You My Heart (Bonus Track)

Disc 7: Let’s Boogie

1.Come See About Me
2.Forever You
3.A Little Boogie Woogie (In The Back Of My Mind)
4.Because I Love You
5.What Do You Want To Make Those Eyes At Me For?
6.The Hits Keep Coming - Live Medley ’86: Cry Just A Little Bit / You Drive Me Crazy
/ A Rockin’ Good Way (To Mess Around And Fall In Love) / Give Me Your Heart
Tonight / A Love Worth Waiting For / Green Door / I’ll Be Satisfied / A Letter To You /
Shirley / Oh Julie / It’s Late / Marie, Marie / It’s Raining / Hot Dog / Teardrops / This
Ole House
7.Tell Me One More Time (Bonus Track)
8.If You’re Gonna Cry (Bonus Track)

Disc 8: A Whole Lotta Shaky

1.What Do You Want To Make Those Eyes At Me For?
2.How Many Tears Can You Hide
3.Jezebel
4.Sea Of Love
5.True Love
6.Just One Look
7.Oh Julie
8.Do You Really Love Me Too
9.I’m Gonna Sit Right Down And Write Myself A Letter
10.Hello Josephine
11.Woman (What Have You Done To Me)
12.Heartbeat
13.Tired Of Toein’ The Line
14.Mona Lisa
15. Feel The Need In Me (Bonus Track)
16. If I Can’t Have You (Bonus Track)
17. If I Really Knew (Bonus Track)
18. Come On Little Girl (Bonus Track)
19. Jezebel (7” Re-Mix) (Bonus Track)

Disc 9: There Are Two Kinds Of Music – Rock N Roll

1.Love Attack
2.I Might
3.Yes I Do
4.You Shake Me Up
5.Tell Me
6.Tear It Up
7.My Cutie Cutie
8.The Night Time Is The Right Time
9.Pink Champagne
10.If I Lose You
11.Queen Of The Hop
12.Rockin’ The Night Away
13.Love Attack (Single Version) (Bonus Track)
14.Love Won’t Stop (Bonus Track)
15.Radio (Bonus Track)
16.Radio (Acoustic Version) (Bonus Track)
17.Oh Baby Don’t (Out-Take) (Bonus Track)

Disc 10: 12” CD

1.Cry Just A Little Bit (Luongo’s Mix)
2.Breaking Up My Heart
3.A Little Boogie Woogie (In The Back Of My Mind) (Boogie Mix)
4.Come See About Me (Extended Re-Mix)
5.Feel The Need In Me (Dance Mix)
6.How Many Tears Can You Hide (Dance Mix)
7.Jezebel (Monster Re-Mix)
8.Love Attack (Extended Version)

REVIEW TO FOLLOW

Flip remembers Mickey Gee

In memory of Wales` greatest guitarist - Mickey Gee

Earlier this year I sadly attended the funeral of the Welsh guiatr great Mickey Gee in Cardiff, many musicians were there including Shaking Stevens, Geraint Watkins, Andy Fairweather Low, John David, Terry Williams,John Lewis and Ian Calford, Mickey had provided immaculate Fender bending to all these guys, he`d played with Ian`s dad the late Cal Ford and the Brakemen.

He was a valued part of Edmunds Rockpile and played on the great Carl Perkins Rockabilly Session tv show. He also played with Tom Jones, Lulu, Joe Cocker,Bill Wyman as part of Willie and the Poor Boys and the great 70s rockabilly band Memphis Bend recording a brillaint album on UA that sadly has not been issued on cd and was an important part of the Shaky sound during the 80s chart hits years. When ill health hit him in the 90s he turned down many lucrative jobs/tours preferring to turn up in the local pubs and clubs of Cardiff and sitting in.

A few years back much to my surprise BBC Wales tv acknowledged that music started before Tom Jones by putting this prog out reunting Edmunds, Geraint, Mickey, Andy, etc and one of the many highlights was Mickey`s version of the great Chuck Berry blues rocker Betty Jean (given the wrong title on youtube BTW).

There's an old b& w clip of the pre fame Tom Jones in rocker mode doing What`d I Say and Chills n Fever on tv, look carefully at the young guitarist with hair it`s Mr Gee!

My fav memory of Mickey is of him blowing up his amp doing a Burnette rab classic as his set opener, much of a delay ensued as a roadie went off in his van to find another amp, eventually he set up the new one, Mickey played the Burnette intro and the new amp blew up!

I also love the story about Chet Atkins dressing room where Chet was holding court to all these modern guitar gods when Mickey shyly entered the door, most of the stars looked at this shy bald bloke and wondered who the gatecrasher was. Chet spotted him and called him over to sit next to him and got them both guiatrs whilst they ripped thru the Reed/Atkins classic The Claw, much jaw dropping ensued in the room, I bet they're still jamming up there.

Sadly missed, a wonderful part of my collection is devoted to Mickey.

Occasional Bootleg Series No. 7 - Shakin’ Stevens, BBC Radio 1

Shakin’ Stevens & The Sunsets - First Gear, BBC Radio 1

Lead Vocals - Shakin' Stevens
Back-up Vocals - Paul Barrett
Lead Guitar - Robert "Carl" Peterson
Bass - Steve Percy
Drums / Vocals - Rockin' Louie*
Tenor Sax - Paul "Duane The Fink" Dolan
Piano - Trevor "The Hawk" Hawkins

Tracks: Yakety Yak, I'll Try, Leroy, Forty Days, Cast Iron Arm, Lights Out, Train Kept A Rollin', Down Yonder We Go Ballin' (lead vocals by Rockin' Louie), Hawkins Mood (instrumental)

These tracks were recorded for the BBC's infamous Radio One sessions, a special Rock 'n' Roll program called "First Gear", which ran for two hours each Saturday for a couple of weeks only to give John Peel a break from his normal "Top Gear" evening show. Johnny Moran was the presenter of the show which was produced by John Walters and went out on Saturdays between 3pm and 5pm from August 8th until August 29th 1970. Other artists in session on this short series included: Marty Wilde, Bert Weedon, Billy J.Kramer and Fleetwood Mac with their Buddy Holly covers.

Shakin' Stevens and the original line-up of the Sunsets recorded their session at the BBC’s Maida Vale Studios in North London on 15th June 1970, and they were broadcast over two weekends on 15th and 22nd August. The BBC have long confirmed that the session was still in their archive, but to date have yet to release it. It’s about time they did so officially, together with the other stuff he did for them like the Stuart Colman sessions for It’s Only Rock ‘n’ Roll in ’76, ’77 and ’79.

For now we have to do with this, and although it might not be from the master tapes, it’s still very listenable, with just a bit of snap, crackle and pop. You really get a feel for what a dynamic band they were. The sax and piano are prominent in the mix and they generate excitement throughout. Numbers like Yakety Yak and Leeroy explode and must sounded great blasting out of the airways nearly forty years ago.

The sound quality dips at the beginning of Conway’s I’ll Try, but it can’t detract from Shaky’s brilliant delivery. Hearing this in hindsight it’s no surprise that Shaky was to become a massive star a decade later. He oozes sex and drools over the words, a master craftsman even this early in his career.

When Mac Rebennack wrote Lights Out, this type pof treatment must have been everything he hoped for – just what the doctor ordered if you see what I mean. Shaky’s vocals and Trefor Hawkins’ pumpin’piano give Jerry Byrne's original a run for it’s money. Carl Peterson’s guitar is either restrained or low in the mix for most of the set, but the shackles are off for the thunderous version of The Train Kept A Rollin’. It’s probably the best and wildest thing here, a version that the Burnette boys would have been proud of. An absolutely priceless piece of rock ‘n’ roll history that deserves a wider audience. These songs were recorded at the time for the Legend album, but this live glimpse is essential. As the man once said - Baby That Is Rock ‘n’ Roll.

Although the youTube clip that follows is slightly later than this bootleg, it shows how great Shaky and the Sunsets were. 9 minutes of breathless, no-frills rock 'n' roll. The second clip comes from Let's Rock and although the Sunsets are no longer with him, it's worth a look to see Shaky's stage manner. Check out the mic action on Billy Fury's Don't Knock Upon My Door.

Geraint Watkins - The Celtic Cajun

Geraint Watkins is the embodiment of the journeyman musician. He'sthe perfect guy to have in your touring band, he's always engaging onstage, full of good humour and to top it all, he's a damn good player.His work on piano and accordion has been heard on more tracks thanyou'd imagine, as well as being an integral part in the careers of twoother fine Welshmen, Dave Edmunds and Shakin' Stevens. I know we're a bit incestuous here and there's a lot of in-breeding, but Geraint has managed to work with a few foreigners as well!!

Born Geraint Meurig Vaughan Watkins in Abertriwr, South Walesin February 1951 his music career began in the early 70's with localWelsh language bands as well Buck Dancer, Juice on the Loose andRed Beans & Rice. He did a session for Stuart Colman's It's Rock 'n'Roll radio show and was included on the second volume of the show'salbums. Similarly, Charlie Gillett's Honky Tonk radio show and Demosalbum. He made a name for himself as a fine session player and overthe years has worked with such artists as Rory Gallagher, AndyFairweather Low, Sting, George Harrison, Status Quo, Eric Clapton,The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Paul Young, Mark Knopfler, The BluesBand and Box Of Frogs (featuring ex-Yardbirds). As well as Edmunds and Stevens he's also played on many a rockin' album including CarlPerkins, the Stray Cats, Frankie Ford, Restless, Matchbox and yet another Welsh band, the great Crazy Cavan & The Rhythm Rockers.He played on the five albums by the good-timey roots/cajun pub band,The Balham Alligators.
Recent times have seen him work with Nick Lowe, Van Morrison andBill Wyman's Rhythm Kings. As well as all this he's also released a coupleof solo albums, the first one, GW and the Dominators coming out in 1978.Anyone who caught Johnnie Allan's great shows in 1992 couldn't havefailed to be enthralled by Watkins. He was part of a blinding backing bandand really seemed to enjoy himself on backing vocals on Running Bear.He was also a part of the superb Carl Perkins and Friends RockabillySpecial. With ten guitarists on the go, GW still manages to keep his rolling piano up in the mix. Apart from the Balham Alligators, his most prolific timehas been as a member of the Refreshments. If the UK had it's own A-Team of musicians, Geraint Watkins would be the equivalent of Pig Robbins orFloyd Cramer. There aren't many Dave Edmunds produced sessions where he doesn't call on Geraint, even flying him to Texas for a Fabulous Thunderbirds album. As an aside, I was just playing Honeyboy Hinkling's Wonderful Night and the woman opposite me said, "that sounds like Dave Edmunds with that squeezy thing". I didn't say she was bright! But she did recognise the accordion of our man Geraint, so it does prove the point. I must confess to not having any of his solo releases but I've got two self explanatory bootlegs called The Sessionman Vol's 1 and 2. They perfectly demonstrate how his piano and accordion can bring a new dimension to a song, adding just the right amount of sparkle.
Here's a butcher's dozen to tap your feet to:
Dave Edmunds - Run Rudolph Run or Dear Dad - GW's piano plays theJohnnie Johnson to Dave's CB.
Shakin' Stevens - Oh Julie - almost a cajun rocker thanks to GW's accordion.
Crazy Cavan - Both Wheels Left The Ground - stomping JLL piano poundingfrom GW, and CC and the boys follow suit. Brilliant.
Southside - Don't Lie To Me - great GW boogie intro.
Nick Lowe - True Love Travels On A Gravel Road - to be honest GWis fairly restrained on the organ here, but what a version.
Memphis Bend - Choo Choo Ch'Boogie - driving accordion.
Refreshments - Veronica - I love Ronnie Dawson's version but this kicksass as well.
Mason Ruffner - Baby I Don't Care No More - sounds as much like DaveEdmunds as DE sounds like Chuck Berry!!
The Balham Alligators - Gotta Have Money - does ever have a boring session?
Honeyboy Hinkling - It's Over - nice moody piece with some tasty brass andguitar.
Willie & the Poor Boys - Saturday Night - GW takes the vocals on a stonkingversion of the Roy Brown rocker.
Juice On The Loose - The Blue Flames Boogie - hot rocking boogie babywith GW in fine fettle.
Stray Cats - Look At That Cadillac - last but not least. GW works in fineunison with Mel Collins' sax. A romp.

Mickey Gee - RIP

THE GODFATHER OF THE ROCKABILLY TAFIA

Today the world lost one of the great rock ‘n’ roll guitarists when Mickey Gee passed away after suffering from emphysema. It’s a sad day for music in general and Wales and rockabilly in particular. His passing will probably go criminally unnoticed by the outside world but for us lucky enough to have appreciated him, the loss is immense. Born in Cardiff in the 40’s, Mickey Gee was like a generation of teenagers who fell in love with the guitarists from across the pond like Carl Perkins.

The 60’s saw him backing Tom Jones as part of the Squires, as well as one of Lulu’s Luvvers and he even had a spell with Joe Cocker. Don’t blame him for that though – you gotta pay the bills! He was influential in the sounds of Love Sculpture and Rockpile and sang and picked for the tragically short-lived Welsh band Memphis Bend. Everyone will have heard his playing on the early Shakin’ Stevens hits and who hasn’t grooved to his hypnotic playing on Dave Edmunds’ I Hear You Knockin’. Highlights of his career had to be the wonderful Carl Perkins tv special where Mickey traded licks with the likes of Clapton and George Harrison and Dave Edmunds’ New Years Eve MTV Party as 1986 turned into 1987 with Edmunds and Gee trading licks with Brian Setzer and Carl Perkins. I can’t remember what I was doing that night but I bet you everyone at that gig remembers. Always so unassuming, he just stood to the side and played in his easy, flowing style – steeped in the tradition of the rock ‘n’ roll he loved. This guy was a genius, the Welsh flags should be flying at half mast tonight. Rest In Peace Mickey, those that believed, truly believed. If you were Dave Edmunds’ favourite guitarist, that was good enough for me.

MEMPHIS BEND – GOOD ROCKIN' TONITE
UAS 30036 1977

Musicians: Micky Gee - Guitars,Vocals. Lincoln Carr – Bass. Tom Riley – Drums, Vocals. Additional musicians: B.J.Cole - Pedal Steel Guitar. Mick Weaver – Piano.
John Jenkins – Piano. John David – Bass.

Produced by the band and John David at the legendary Rockfield Studios in Monmouth, South Wales, Good Rockin’ Tonite is one of the finest tributes that a British band has paid to the American originators. A mix of straight ahead rockabilly and some Hank Williams’ covers, the band play with great respect for the originals but with their own splash of flair. Mickey Gee is astounding throughout, with flying fingers making new classics out of old favourites Red Hot and If You Can't Rock Me. Sun pervs can drool at the covers of Mystery Train and one the albums best numbers, a high-stepping wade through the Big River that Cash would've loved. If you think Jerry Lee's Folsom Prison Blues was funky (and it was!) you'll be changing your boxers during this one. There's a real pep-in-the-step to Hank's Setting The Woods On Fire where Mickey and BJ Cole sound like everything Nashville wishes it was. I love BR549 but they can only dream of being this good. I think everyone would agree that the glorious version of Tennessee is better than Carl Perkins’ original, just listen to that guitar – it’s splashed in more Tennessee than the lyrics.

Shaun Mather
22 January 2009.