REVIEWS FEB/MAR 2022 REVIEWS FEB/MAR 2022 REVIEWS FEB/MAR 2022 their energetic take on it. Early In The Morning by Louis Jordan gets some overdue recognition next, and has a low-down New Orleans feel to it. Keeping it in Louisiana, the next classic is the song Fortune Teller, by Allen Toussaint, covered by the Stones back in 1964. This fine collection is rounded off with a powerful version of Howlin’ Wolf’s How Many More Years, on which Fran and the band give their all. This selection of blues tunes is well worth a listen and Fran Pegg is certainly a name to look out for. STEVE BANKS
FRANK RICHARD ROUGH ENOUGH INDEPENDENT This is a man with an amazing back story which would at first sight seem to point more toward a documentary or, maybe, a book. Richard moved close to Woodstock to check out the vibe of Dylan etc, received his first guitar lesson from 60’s legend Tim Hardin and was also arrested at an anti-Vietnam war demonstration. Having spent around 50 chequered years on the road playing in various bands and performing solo in bars and clubs etc he once opened for Richie Havens and received a rave review from no less than the Washington Post. Incredibly this is his recording debut and is made up of a few original songs, a few borrowed from friends and a few covers. All These Blues is a trad song with Richard singing, playing acoustic guitar and harmonica and it sounds altogether wonderful. The approach is essentially acoustic throughout the album with additional sympatico backing from
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dobro, mandolin, bass, keyboards and backing vocals. His evocative voice is weary, travel worn and infused with road dust, and he uses it really well to tell his rootsy tales of life as a wandering minstrel. Peter Coyote’s descriptive road song Dead End aptly captures the mood of Richard’s lonely travels. 1-900 Mary is a haunting, atmospheric tale of urban depression, drug culture and missing home and loved ones. John Prine’s witty Some Humans Ain’t Human is a gentle sardonic offering, and the self-penned River Girl Blue is a sad tale of lost love with Richard’s crumpled vocal adding to the tension. A brave and intriguing cover of Bob Dylan’s Knocking On Heaven’s Door gets updated with lyrics about gun culture and the horrors of climate change. I thoroughly enjoyed this album and look forward to hearing more and to the book and film. DAVE DRURY
FRANKIE LYMON AND THE TEENAGERS THE SINGLES AND ALBUMS COLLECTION 1956-61 ACROBAT MUSIC This double CD pulls together a selection of both individual and “teenagers” recordings made between 1956-61, including all the U.S.A and U.K. Pop and R&B chart hits and selections from two albums; namely, At The London Palladium and rock’ n’ roll. Frankie Lymon was a phenomenal singer who was just fourteen when he had a number one hit in both the USA and UK with Why Do Fools Fall In Love, a song he co-
wrote. On this collection of sixty-two tracks this song is the standout song and one I never tire of hearing. All the material sits comfortably in the R&B category although there are some strong DooWop influences, where Joe Negroni’s baritone vocal contrasts well. This music was the forerunner for the later rock’n’roll explosion led by Elvis Presley. As often happened at this time once an artist had a hit record the follow ups tended to be very similar sounding releases and this can be clearly heard with the follow up single, I Want You To Be My Girl, although the regular use of Jimmy Wright’s Orchestra did beef up some of the later songs. When the hits dried up Frankie recorded several well-known covers which included Jailhouse Rock, Silhouettes and Waitin’ In School, all good records but they didn’t touch the original versions. Frankie had a very short carer as he passed away at the age of just twenty-five in 1968 but he has left a legacy of some exceptional songs and performances that have been showcased well in this release, which comes with a detailed twenty-page booklet. A stimulating collection
that highlights where the foundation for rock ‘n’ roll came from. ADRIAN BLACKLEE
GEORGE ENSLE BE A BETTER ME PUFF BUNNY RECORDS Over 11 tracks of acoustic roots music, the singer-songwriter George Ensle paints many attractive sonic portraits, of modern life, love and the travails that ensue. With a sound palette of acoustic, 12 string, and resonator guitars, piano, banjo, upright bass, cello, violins and a massed gospel choir, the songs occupy the same musical ground as early Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen, and although there is nothing here to raise the tempo, no grandstanding, screeching solos, and no songs that go over the 5 minutes it is a very pleasant listen. Be A Better Man, and $1.65 which start the album could have been hectoring, lecturing songs, but here they are delivered as an acceptance of life, and its unfairness. All the musicians that play on the album are clearly talented,
JON SHAIN & FJ VENTRE
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