Virgil, Auteur à the rockabilly chronicle

Rattlers (the)

21 May 202422 May 2024

Reviews

The Rattlers – I Don’t Want You

Lost Moment LOM003 [1984]
I Don’t Want You – Hey Baby

Debut single for the Rattlers (Mark Carrington on vocals, Steve Davey on lead guitar, Nick Peck on slap bass and Graham Woodside on drums.) Both songs are originals.
A side is a good Rockabilly number with powerful slap bass and clean guitar, while B side shows some Psychobilly influences in the structure and the vocals.

The Rattlers – Scare Me to Death

Lost Moment Records – LMLP 001 [1984]
Scare Me To Death – Little Red – Mine All Mine – Kat Krept In – Hey Baby – Always Yours – Your my Baby – The Rattlin Boogie

The Rattlers were formed in the early 1980s around Mark Carrington (vocals), Nick Peck (double bass), Steve Davey (guitar) and Graham Woodside (drums). In 1984, the group signed with Lost Moment Records and, in the wake, released their first 45 rpm. Shortly after, the Rattlers released their first album under the guidance of Boz Boorer (Polecats). Musically, the Rattlers sound like the turbulent little brothers of the Polecats (for Carrington’s voice) and the Deltas for the energy. The influence of the emerging Psychobilly scene can also be heard on their cover of You’re My Baby (also covered at the same time by Guana Batz). The group does not hesitate to cover songs more associated with the Glam scene (Cat Crept In by Mud or Always Yours by Gary Glitter). The Rattlin Boogie is an excellent instrumental with a second Les Paul-influenced guitar that bears Boz Boorer’s mark. Even though the band has an excellent guitarist and a powerful bassist, it’s sometimes a little chaotic, even shaky, but it always remains new and exciting, which is what Rock’n’roll should always be.

The Rattlers – Take A Ride

Lost Moment Records – LMLP 007 [1985]
Shake Your Money Maker – Knife Edge Baby – Life In A Coffin – Bloo Zoot – Gona Rock – 007 Theme – Take A Ride – Mine All Mine – Bad Moon Rising – Blow Up Baby – She’s The One – Love Me – Bare Foot Nelly

For their second album, the Rattlers are now playing as a trio. Steve Davey and Graham Woodside have both left the band. Robert Clarke is now the Rattlers’ guitarist, and Mark Carrington has moved to drums while continuing to provide vocals.
But these changes in no way affect the group’s energy and ability to play and compose excellent Neo-Rockabilly numbers.
Additionally, the band is produced by Paul Stewart, who knows how to get the most out of the trio. The production is perfect. The stripped-down quasi-acoustic sound of the double bass and drums (almost played without cymbals) contrasts wonderfully with Clarke’s inventive electric guitar. The group gets closer to the Deltas on certain songs (Bloo Zoot, Shake Your Money Maker) to switch, the next moment, to an instant Psychobilly classic (Life In A Coffin) before moving on to a Rockabilly Pop song (Gonna Rock) which, with a bit of promotion could almost have been a hit. The trio also offers an excellent version of the 007 Theme, recorded at Stewart’s suggestion because the group lacked songs to complete the album. Along the same lines, Blow Up Baby was composed in the studio, with each group member contributing to the writing.
Many Psychobilly and Neo-Rockabilly groups, from Meteors to Swamp Dogs via Stage Frite or Voodoo Dolls, have covered Bad Moon Rising (Creedence Clearwater Revival). Still, the Rattlers’ version is undoubtedly one of the best. Unfortunately, like many other bands before them, in fact, all except the Cramps, the Rattlers fail to recreate the energy and urgency of The Phantom’s Love Me. The album ends with Barefoot Nelly, a hillbilly/skiffle with banjo.

The Rattlers – Never Say Die

Nervous 052 [1989]
Crazy Love CLCD6494
Gone Forever – Cruisin` Around – For Your Love – She`s The One – Savin` It All For You – Loaded Dice – Leavin` You Behind – Never Say Die – The Man With The Twilight Eyes – For You No More – Forbidden Love – October Moon – Never Catch Me Again

The Rattlers formed in 1984. the band released various albums, singles, ep’s before splitting a couple of years later. Nick Peck (slap bassist) joined Paul Roman (Quakes) in Paul Roman and the Prowlers for a short time but soon re-frormed the Rattlers, with Doug Sheperd on guitar (formerly in Something Shocking and one time member of the Rattlers for the stage) and Doug McCarthy on drums. A deal was concluded with Nervous Records and they recorded “Never Say Die” with Pete Gage in 1989.
This album is really excellent and though the previous one were good it’s by far a more accomplished work (I believe that Gage is no stranger to that).
The core of the album is made of a majority of self penned neo-rockabilly numbers very well written with tight arrangement and a special care on the vocal harmonies. Peck is a more than competent singer too. A couple of songs border on psychobilly like the title track (superb) and Forbidden Love. At the exact opposite October Moon and Leavin’ You Behind find the band in a jazzy-rockabilly style similar to the Nitros.
The original pressing is now long out of print but it’s been reissue on cd by Crazy Love records and is also available as mp3 download.

The Rattlers – Face The Fact

Raucous Records RAUC 012
Face the Fact – Running / I Feel Fine – Waiting for You To Call

After the resounding success of “Never Say Die,” the Rattlers continued their momentum with a new EP the following year. Produced by Boz Boorer (Polecats), the EP featured a new line-up with Alistair Dick on double bass, allowing Nick Peck to focus solely on vocals. The EP is well-produced and features fast-paced beats and catchy songs. “Face The Fact,” a composition by Boorer, showcases a melodic Neo-Rockabilly style, while “Running” leans more towards Psychobilly with its intense rhythm, raspy vocals, and contained rage.
Despite Peck’s somewhat imprecise singing, “I Feel Fine” works very well. It demonstrates how well the Beatles’ music lends itself to Neo-Rockabilly, following the likes of the Nitros, the Stringbeans, the Polecats, and Dave Phillips.
The EP concludes with “Waiting For You To Call,” driven by the lively drums of Doug Mc Carthy.

The Rattlers – Never A lost Moment

Lost Moment [1991]
Tear It Up – Mystery Train – She’s My Baby – Good Rockin’ Tonight – Rockhouse – Hey Baby – Ting-A-Ling – Little Red – Your My Baby – Walkin’ Whistlin’ Blues – I Don’t Want You – Mine All Mine – Dancin’ Doll – Your My Baby – Rattlin’ Boogie – Life in a Coffin – Take a Ride – Bad Moon Rising – Love Me – 007

What happens when a label wants to cash in on a band’s name? They gather early recordings (very early and much uninspired), poorly recorded live songs as well as a couple of outtakes and alternate takes and the result is a 20 song album that is barely audible. It’s a pity because the Rattlers were a good band and deserved a better treatment than this hastily made compilation. For hardcore fans only (but only them!).

The Rattlers – Live in Europe

Jungle Noise – APECALL 004 [1990]
Rock On – She’s the One – You’re My Baby – Face the Fact – Running – Life in a Coffin – My Way – For Your Love – Twilite Eyes – Waiting for You – Loaded Dice – Bad Moon Rising – I Feel Fine – Forbidden Love – Friday on my Mind – I’m ready – Never Catch Me Again – Little Red – King Creole – Oh Boy

The Rattlers recorded this live album in 1990 with the four-piece line-up of the band, which is the trio of Never say Die with new member Al Dick on bass, allowing Peck to concentrate on vocals.
With 20 songs, it’s a good value for money, though the majority of them are played at the same tempo, which tends to be slightly monotonous after 12 songs. Eight songs are originals while the remaining twelve come from Johnny Cash, Buddy Holly, Eddie Cochran, Elvis, Creedence Clearwater Revival, the Easybeats, Garry Glitter, the Beatles and the Jackals, an American Rock’n’roll band that released one album on Nervous.
The sound is excellent, and the slap bass is very well recorded. It’s a nice addition to your Rattlers collection, though I prefer the studio recordings on which the vocals are better.

The Rattlers – Gangsters and loose Women

Count Orlock R.O.C.K. XII [1991]
Rock On – Change Your Mind – It’s All Over – What Have I Done? – The Chase – Ring On The Other Hand – Back Of My Hand – Through The Curtain – The Race Is On – Haunted Hill – Win Or Lose – Lux Luther Blues – She Don’t Love Me – Beat Out My Love – All The Tears – King Creole

With Gangster and Loose Women, the group moves from the neat Neo-Rockabilly of Never Say Die towards a lively and sometimes melodious Psychobilly. The compositions are quite good but, overall, lack a bit of variety both in rhythms and in sound.
Never Say Die benefited from Pete Gage’s presence and experience as a producer. He knew how to get the best out of the group, extending their style while renewing it. Here, the absence of a real producer (the album is produced by Sheperd, Peck, and the sound engineer) is cruelly felt.
Unfortunately, the songs all end up looking a bit similar, although some of the tunes stand out from the rest. We will note the excellent Lex Luther Blues (with harmonica), which recalls the first incarnation of the Rattlers, the acoustic and tuneful All the Tears (although a little weak in terms of vocals), the frantic and excellent The Chase (already released as a single) and a handful of others. But the album, which still contains sixteen tracks, ends up seeming long, which is a shame for a Rock’n’Roll album. The group would have been wiser to leave the often unnecessary covers (Rock On and King Creole being already present on the live album and Beat Out My Love that sounds terribly thin, especially compared to what the Cramps did of that same song) to have a tighter and ultimately more effective record.

Hociel Thomas & Lillie Delk Christian

20 May 202420 May 2024

Reissues

Hociel Thomas & Lillie Delk Christian – 1925-1928

Document – DOCD-5448
Hociel Thomas (1925-1926) gamblers dream – Sunshine baby – Adam and Eve had the blues – Put it where I can get it – Wash woman blues – Ive stopped my man – Deep water blues – Gwan I told you – Listen to ma – Lonesome hours - Lillie Delk Christian (1926-1928) Lonesome and sorry – Baby o mine (take a) – Baby omine (take b) – It all depends on you – Aint she sweet – My blue heaven – Whos wonderful! Whos marvellous? Miss Annabelle Lee – Youre a real sweetheart – Too busy! – Was it a dream? (waltz) – Last night I dreamed you kissed me – I cant give you anything but love – Sweethearts on parade – Baby – I must have that man

There’s a clear contrast in styles and quality between Thomas and Christian. Both tried (and sometimes succeeded) to create a hybrid of jazz-blues-pop, and both have benefited from the presence of Louis Armstrong’s cornet. The comparison ends here.
Hociel Thomas hailed from a family of musicians. Her father was a renowned pianist, and her aunt was none other than Sippie Wallace. Unfortunately, Thomas often sings in a key where she isn’t at ease, which results in her sounding tired and not very engaged and even top-notch musicians like Armstrong can’t transform more than average material into gold.
Lillie Delk Christian is more interesting vocally, and her material is far superior (I Can’t Give You Anything But Love, Ain’t She Sweet, I Must Have That Man). This probably explains why the band gives a better performance. Noone (clarinet) and St Cyr (guitar) enliven the December 12 session featuring My Blue Heaven and Miss Annabelle Lee with gutsy accompaniment and fine solos. Armstrong appears six months later for the June 26, 1928 session. This session features the best, Too Busy, a bouncing number with Armstrong scatting, and the worst of Christian, Was It A Dream, a waltz that doesn’t allow the Hot Four to express themselves.
The last recordings lack a bit of swing in the vocals but are saved by a good rendition of I Must Have That Man.
This selection is an excellent addition to anyone interested in Satchmo’s early years and work as a backup band. Despite some flaws and, Lillie Delk Christian’s sides have a certain charm and are appealing enough for a curious listener and anyone who digs Annette Hanshaw with whom she shares a common repertoire and style.

Find it here.

Note: two more Christian tunes (Sweet georgia Brown and Sweet Man) can be found on Vocal Blues & Jazz – Remaining Titles Vol. 3: (1921-1928)

Fred “Virgil” Turgis

Spook and the Ghouls

5 May 20245 May 2024

Reviews

Spook and the Ghouls – Whitechapel Murders

Nervous Records – NERD 043 [1988]
Reaper Grim – Demon Barber On Fleet Street – Vampira – Nightmares From Beyond – Love Me So – Let ‘Em Swing – Twisted Kind – Gallows Are Awaiting – Werewolf In Our Town – Dead Flesh Creeping – Bela Lugosi’s Dead – Live And Raw – Death Ride – Rocker

Spook and the Ghouls formed in the mid-1980s with Simon Badminton (vocals and double bass), Dave Kingdon (guitar), and Vic Greener (drums). The band’s outrageous makeup on the album cover tends to make them lose credibility. But it would be a shame to stop at this first sight because you would be missing out on an original group that stood out in the Psychobilly landscape of the second half of the 1980s.

Spook and the Ghouls develop a highly original style that is dark, grim, and very gloomy—in other words, gothic—but always melodic and in which the Rockabilly base remains very present.

The group’s success lies in their unique approach. Their music is not about being loud or aggressive. It’s about creating an unsettling, even oppressive atmosphere as if the singer is whispering a story directly into your ears. This aesthetic is perfectly captured in their cover of Bauhaus’s ‘Bela Lugosi’s Dead ‘. The guitar work is a journey through various sounds and textures, from rock’n’roll to garage (Vampira), with detours into Surf and Metal (Nightmares from Beyond). The few Rockabilly tunes, lighter and bouncy, may seem out of place, but they are surprisingly effective.

Ultimately, when the trio plays a more classic and predictable Psychobilly, it loses its personality and is less convincing (like on their cover of AC/DC’s Rocker). Fortunately, there are very few.

If you’ve only skimmed through this record or are open to discovering a different album, I urge you to give this hard-to-pigeonhole record a thorough listen. You might just find yourself drawn into the unique world of Spook and the Ghouls.

The Radioactive Kid

Big Sandy and the Fly-Rite Trio

7 April 20247 April 2024

Reviews

Big Sandy and the Fly-Rite Trio – Don’t Desert Me

Dionysus Records – ID074524
Don’t Desert Me / I’m gonna Leave

Big Sandy and the Fly-Rite Trio recorded this single in 1991, the year following the release of their first album and Bobby Trimble’s replacement of drummer Will B.
Side A is a beautiful medium Rockabilly. The B side is just as successful, a superb melancholic ballad highlighted by the voice of Big Sandy/Robert Williams and the delicate pickin’ of TK Smith. Both songs are from Williams’ pen. The 45 version was released on Dionysus Records, but there is a much rarer 78 rpm version that the group published on Jeems Records, its own label (Jeems 1085).

Fred ”Virgil” Turgis

Miss Mary Ann / the Ranch Girls and the Ragtime Wranglers

5 April 20247 April 2024

Reviews

Miss Mary Ann & the Ragtime Wranglers – Danger Moved West

Home Brew Records – Sonic Rendez Vous SRV059 [2013]
Danger Moved West – Little Ole You – You Made A Hit – Strange Things – The Blues Come Around – Honey – Fine Tuning Buddy – I Ain’t That Strong – Do You Wanna Rock – So You Think You’ll Come Back – Knock Knock Rattle – Falling For You – Make The Most Of It – I’ve Got Leavin’ On My Mind – Blue Days Black Nights – I Can’t Stop Lovin’ You

Miss Mary Ann and the Ragtime Wranglers danger moved west

Sometimes, bands or artists are such a part of your musical landscape that you tend to take them for granted. Take Miss Mary Ann for example… I bought the debut album of this lady and her faithful Ragtime Wranglers when it came out nearly 20 years ago and since, I know that once in a while I’ll have my dose of Miss Mary Ann, Ranch Girls, Ragtime Wranglers or the three in the same time. Of course, I knew they were good, even extremely talented but it struck me while listening to their latest effort, like the first time I discovered them. I suddenly realised that the rockabilly (in the large meaning of the term) scene would be a much sadder place without them.
First you have Miss Mary Ann. Unlike many others of her counterparts, she’s not affected by all those mannerisms you often find, especially with female singers. She never tries to sound mean (I suspect it’s not in her nature anyway) or to fake what she’s not. She just sings frankly, sincerely and with passion and that’s all. She goes easily from hillbilly bop to rockabilly, from rock’n’roll to jazz tinged stuff like on “Make the Most of it” penned by Dave “Pappy” Stuckey who also wrote the liner notes by the way. And when she sings harmonies with Raina Thompson, the new Ranch Girl, oh my, you’re just shaking nervously in anticipation for the new Ranch Girls album (or at least for the next time you’ll see them on stage). Icing on the cake, she also writes her own material. Her six self penned songs blend perfectly with the likes of Hank Williams, Buddy Holly, Ray Smith, Wayne Walker and more, if you please! Then you have the Ragtime Wranglers who always deliver the goods. Joe Sixpack draws from his bottomless bag of riffs while Huey Moore and Sietse Heslinga set the perfect rhythm. You even have Carl Sonny Leyland who guests on piano on a couple of tracks (including “Honey” an original he penned).
I know that you must think “there must be something wrong; I bet this album comes in an ugly cover!” Not even that! It comes in a superb gatefold digipack (and in vinyl format too) designed by Pieter Dorrenboom.
Take my advice, run to your music store, whether it’s on the web or in your city, and do yourself a favour, you won’t regret it!

Miss Mary Ann & The Ragtime Wranglers – Rock It Down To My House

Sonic Rendezvous Records SRR33
Rock It On Down To My House – Easy Does It – I Got Stung – Don’t Wait Up – Tell Me Who – Forget About The Past – Ooh La Baby – I’ll Be Your Slave – Watch Dog – That’s The Way I feel – Don’t Lie To Me – I Can’t Quit – Sweet Sugar Booger – What Am I Doing Here – Don’t Stop The Music.

Miss Mary Ann - Rock It Down To my House — Miss Mary Ann – Rock It Down To my House

This is the second solo album from Miss Mary Ann also known as one half of the famous Ranch Girls from Netherland. And like the Ranch Girls she’s backed by the Ragtime Wranglers. But the comparison with her other outfit stops here. If the Ranch Girls’ repertory is made upon harmonies, duets and western swing/hillbilly, Miss Mary Ann goes for a more rocking sound. And the opening track leaves no doubt about that. You’re going to rock and bop ’til the end of night and guest Carl Sonny Leyland on piano will help you to loose some weight on the dance floor. “I Got Stung” and “I’ll be your slave” (man, what a program) are in the same vein while “Tell Me Who” brings a little swing. To slow down the pace and let us take our breath there’s some honky tonk and country tunes to the mix : Faron Young’s “Forget About The Past” features the steel-guitar wizard himself, none other than Jeremy Wakefield and so does George Jones’s Dont Stop The Music. Her interpretation of Marty Robbins’ “I Cant Quit” where she seems both desperate and resigned is simply superb. I’ve always thought nobody could top Robbins on that, but right now I have serious doubts. And the smooth instrumentation of the Ragtime Wranglers reinforces that feeling. This cd is not only a pleasure for your ears, it has been beautifully designed by Mighty Sam and comes in a superb digipack.

Fred “Virgil” Turgis

Miss Mary Ann / The Ragtime Wranglers / The Ranch Girls – Selections 1993-2008

Sonic Rendezvous Records SRV055
Hang On Folks – Mama’s Here – Rock-a-bye Baby – I Got Stung – Baby Of Mine – Flying Saucer Boogie – I Ain’t Worried About Tomorrow – Rock It On Down To My House – My Adobe Hacienda – Homebrew Hooch – Kokomo – What Am I Doing Here – Hey Doll Baby – Kaw-liga – Groovesville – Don’t Lie To Me – Hi De Ank Tum – Flipsville – Sweet Thing – If You Don’t Somebody Else Will

Wether it’s with the Ranch Girls, Mary Ann’s solo act or the Ragtime Wranglers on their own, this bunch of guys and girl has conquered the world with their mix of hillbilly harmonies, rockabilly and early country (when this word still meant something).
This album is a celebration of the band’s first 15 years and gathers songs from most of their releases. I can hear you say: “Great! a best-of, but we already own the albums”. Sure, but there’s more than one reason to buy this cd.
First it comes in a deluxe digipack in DVD format, beautifully designed with lots of photos inside. I see I grabbed your attention. Then you have a couple of tunes from not so easy to find 7″ (Kaw-Liga, Flying Saucer Boogie…) which should be enough to convince you, but you also have unissued live demos (Hi De Ank Tum), outtakes from their second album (My Adobe Hacienda, Rock A Bye Baby), two live songs recorded on the Radio that makes you regret they didn’t release a live album too (Sweet Thing and If You Don’t Somebody Else Will), and icing on the cake six tracks entirely remixed , giving them a fuller and a better sound.
At the end, this cd is far more than just a best-of, it’s almost a brand new album, sure to gain them new fans and please old ones like me, who, 15 years ago fell in love with the sound of the Ranch Girls and the Ragtime Wranglers and never stopped digging them since.
Fred “Virgil” Turgis

The Ranch Girls and the Ragtime Wranglers – Can You Hear It??

Homebrew Records HB6 / Hayden’s Ferry Records 22032 [2001]
Can You Hear It – Tennessee Saturday Night – Be Gone – Hang On Folks, Here We Go -Seashore – O.k. You’re My Baby – I Ain’t Worried About Tomorrow – Between the Devil and the Deep Blue See – Harmonize – Don’t Lie To Me – City Boy – You’ve Got Everything – Baby Of Mine – Hillbilly Jive With a Boogie Beat – Sugar Booger

Can You Hear It is the third long play by the Ranch Girls and the Ragtime Wranglers. Still with Miss Mary Ann at the helm, this one features the new Ranch Girl Mary Lou, who replaced Esther (aka Lil Esther) who had already replaced Caroline.
Except for this, there’s no big changes and one will be happy to find the brand of stuff one can expect from this excellent band, mostly from the pen of Miss Mary Ann.
Can You Hear it, the tile track, is full of Collins Kid exhuberance and fun. Red Foley’s Tennessee Saturday Night is turned into a fast paced swing with questions and answers by Mary Lou and Mary Ann and features Carrie Luz Rodriguez on fiddle. Next is Be Gone, a plain rockin’ tune. Hang On Folks, Here We Go is a two parts harmony version of Miss mary Ann’s song previously recorded on her solo EP. Hard to chose which one is the best (and glad I don’t have to).
Mary Lou proves to be a solid songwriter too with Seashore that sees the return of one thing I particularly like in the Ranch Girls: the accordion. Also of her composition is the very good City Boy with fiddle.
Back to the rockin’ Collins style with OK You’re my Baby. Jimmy and Johnny’s I AInt Worried About tomorrow follows on which they added a bit of Rumba beat . The accordion makes a welcome return with Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea (not the jazz standard) which is pure hillbilly gold. You’ve got Everything is a solid hillbilly boogie with steel guitar played by Jimmy Roy (Ray Condo, Big Sandy, Jimmy Roy’s Five Star Hillbilly).
Baby of Mine was the song that really hooked me and made me crazy about the Ranch Girls on their debut album and I was glad to find a brand new version on this album. This one features a prominent mandolin instead of the accordion. It’s different, are as the slight variations in the vocals, but equally great.
The album ends with two covers : Reece Shipley’s Hillbilly Jive with a Boogie Beat (that perfectly sums up what the Ranch Girl are) that features none other than Deke Dickerson on vocals and twin guitar and the Marcus Brothers’ Sugar Booger.
Needless to say that the Ragtime Wranglers – Sietse on drums and percussion,Patrick on double bass, Jerome on acoustic and electric mandolin and Joe on acoustic and electric guitar – are as usual perfect, swingin and boppin’ when it’s needed and blending perfectly with the vocals.
Another killer from our favorite European hillbillies !
Fred “Virgil” Turgis

Miss Mary Ann & the Ragtime Wranglers – Hang On, Folks, Here We Go

Goofin’ Records – GOOFY 588 [1998]
Hang On Folks, Here We Go / Hey Little Dreamboat, Flyin Saucer Boogie

In 1998, Miss Mary Ann, always accompanied by the Ragtime Wranglers (Jelle Van Hatten, guitar; Sietse Heslinga, drums; Patrick Hemelrijk, double bass; and Erik Van Beek, steel guitar), took a break from the Ranch Girls to record this very pleasant EP. Side A is a composition by Mary Ann, and on side B, we find Hey Little Dreamboat (Rose Maddox) and Flyin’ Saucer Boogie (Eddie Cletro, who also accompanied Rose Maddox on Hey Little Dreamboat). There is no big departure in terms of sound compared to the Ranch Girls except for the obvious fact that Mary Ann sings alone and not in harmony. This gives a slightly more Rockabilly/Rock’n’roll tone than Hillbilly, although the rural bop touch is present, if only through Van Beek’s steel guitar.

The Ranch Girls and the ragtime Wranglers – Hillbilly Harmony

Goofin Records – GRCD 6071 [1996]
Move Over Rover – I Wanna Wanna – Make Up Your Mind – Sure To Fall – Rock-A-Bye Baby – Travelling Blues – Rock’n Roll Polka – Buzzin’ Around – Oh, Monah – Seven Lonely Days – Pal Of My Lonely Hour – Mad At You – Hopin’ That You’re Hopin’ – Hey, Sheriff – Roundup Of Fun

Except for the label and the bass player, not much has changed betwen the first album and this one. You’ll find on this platter the same brand of hillbilly boogie, close harmony with a dose of Rockabilly that you liked on Rhythm on the Ranch. Another little change is that you’ll find more western swing influences with the Mc Kiney sisters’ Pal Of My Lonely Hour and Buzzin’ Around, an instrumental penned by the band’s steel guitar player.
The girls seem also more confident in their vocal talent and explore new manner of singing. I particularly like how they trade intricate vocal lines in some sort of canon (listen to Seven lonely Days to hear a fine example of what I’m telling about.)
All in all a solid second album thta makes more than confirming the very good impression made by the first.
Fred “Virgil” Turgis

The Ranch Girls and the Ragtime Wranglers – Kaw Liga

Home Brew HB002 – [1995]
Kaw Liga – I’ll get Him Back

Excellent single in the wake of the band’s debut album with a cover of Hank Williams (via the Davis Sisters) Kaw Liga and the Davis Sisters’ I’ll Get Him Back.
Limited edition of 1000 copies.

The Ranch Girls and the Ragtime Wranglers – Rhythm on the Ranch

Longhorn Records, Holland ‎– LHC 502 [1994]
Gotta Git Goin’ – Baby Of Mine – I’m Done, I’m Through – Go Away Don’t Bother Me – Hi De Ank Tum – Hey, Doll Baby – I Gotta Know – Hot Rod – Peepin’ Eyes – Hillbilly Gal – Crazy – Foggy Mountain Top – Wildwood Flower – Fiddle Diddle Boogie

Rhythm on the Ranch is the Ranch Girls’ debut album. The Ranch Girls are a hillbilly duet formed by Mary Ann and Caroline and backed by the Ragtime Wranglers a fine aggregation of musicians containing members of the Greyhounds and the Bugaloos.

Their sound mixes hillbilly harmony vocals reminiscent of the Davis sisters (whom they cover three songs Gotta Git Goin, Foggy Mountain Top and Fiddle Diddle Boogie) or any of the other « sisters » bands of the same style (Dining, Miller…) with the joyful exuberance of the Collins kids (present here with Hot Rod and Go Away Dont Bother me) sprinkled with some Rose Maddox and a bit of bluegrass too with Charlie Feather’s Peepin’ Eyes.
Each girl takes a solo spot, Caroline with Wanda Jackson’s Gotta Know and Mary Ann with a moving rendition Patsy Cline’s Crazy.
Shaun Young of High Noon fame is the author of « I’m Done I’m Through » performed here in full honky tonk style with appropriate steel guitar (and talking about High Noon, Sean Mencher introduces Fiddle Diddle Boogie).
Joe, the guitar player, penned Hillbilly Gal and Mary Ann contributed by far my favourite song of the album, the excellent baby of Mine perfectly arranged with accordion.

The band is simply perfect with a tight rhythm section and includes some guests on steel, fiddle and mandolin, and Joe Sixpack’s Maphis inspired guitar licks are the last piece of this superb musical puzzle. They shine throughout and give all their best on the instrumental Wildwood Flower.
Fred “Virgil” Turgis

The Ragtime Wranglers – 15 Smoking tracks

Home Brew Records/Sonic Rendez-Vous SRV057
Harissa / Firewater Stomp / Thunder Reef / Red Rod Race / Sin City Serenade / Resaca / The Sky’s Gone Out / Amor Perdido / Mojo Bag Bop / Mexican Standoff / Driving All Night / Lullaby For Louis / Buck ‘n’ Rich / The Chicken Room / Smoke ’em Out

This is the second all instrumental album for Miss Mary Ann’s backing band, the Ragtime Wranglers, and if you’re too lazy to read the full review here’s what you need to know: it’s a killer!
It opens with the surf tinged “Harissa”, an ode to this North African sauce with sax. I couldn’t help but think it would make a fantastic double-sider with Los Straitjackets’ “Casbah”. With the intro played on the tom-tom, “Firewater Stomp” carries an Indian mood (a bit like Kaw-Liga) and features the one and only Jeremy Wakefield on steel guitar. Next is “Thunder Reef”, the sole cover of the album (from the pen of Bobby Fuller): a solid rocking and surfing number with great drums break. “Red Rod Race” is a rockabilly track that comes complete with car sounds and would have made Bob Keane, boss of Del-Fi, happy. Pictures of desert, setting sun and such other things come to mind while listening to “Sin City Serenade”, a cool atmospheric tune with accordion and muted Mexican trumpet. “Resaca” (hangover in Spanish) has a kind of film noir groove with a Latin beat and a superb tenor saxophone part. And don’t forget Miss Mary-Ann contribution on vocals. If Tarantino doesn’t pick this one for his next movie he’s a dumbass. “The Sky’s Gone Out” is simply perfect or perfect in its simplicity with just the acoustic guitar, a double bass and a mandolin. More Latin fever with “Amor Perdido” which is a mix of twang guitar and mariachi trumpet. How could you resist? Mojo Bag Bop is a rockin’ blues that’ll remind you of John Lee Hooker’s Boogie Chillun with a rockabilly beat. If good, The Mexican Standoff is not very original. More interesting is “Drivin’ All Night” that makes good use of the reverb. “Lullaby For Louis” follows. It’s a gentle waltz that sees the return of the accordion in the background. They couldn’t have done it nice, Louis is a lucky baby. Wakefield returns on “Buck’n’Rich”, a tribute to Buck Owens and Don Rich ‘and incidentally a tribute to the good old Fender Telecaster). “The Chicken Room” sounds like Link Wray (Run Chicken Run) meets the Ventures. “Smoke ‘em Out” closes the album with Joe Sixpack in full Larry Collins/Joe Maphis mode (don’t forget they’ve backed the Collins Kids many times) duelling with Jeroen Jongsma on mandolin.
Icing on the cake, this album comes in a beautifully designed digipack. Pleasure for the ears, beauty for the eyes.
Fred “Virgil” Turgis

The Ragtime Wranglers – Groove A Tune

Sonic Rendez vous Records SRR 22
Low Man On A Totempole- Groovesville- Homebrew Hooch-. Groover’s Bop- I Can’t Stand It- Blue Smoke- Town Hall Shuffle-The Manhunt- Guydid- Get My Bread- Hop Scotch- Black Mountain Rag- Bronco Boogie-West Indies Groove

Do we still need to present the Ragtime Wranglers, this Dutch band who foams the world stages since the beginning of the Nineties with the Ranch Girls and Miss Mary Ann but also backing some of the genuine rockabilly stars (Curtis Gordon, Hardrock Gunter, Sid and Billy King, the Collins Kids, Larry Donn, Marvin Rainwater, Frankie Miller and Jack Earls) and more recent artists (like Sage Guyton and Jeremy Wakefield of Lucky Stars). However this “Groove a Tune” is their first album as a “real” band if one does not take account of two instrumentals “The Rocking Gypsy” and ” Road Stop ” published on a Ranch Girls’ EP in 1995. That 14 instumentals album (in LP or Cd) is an additional demonstration of the combo skills lead by the always phlegmatic Jelle Van Atten – more known under the nickname of Joe Sixpack – (guitar, steel-guitar) with Sietse on drums and percussions and Huey Moor on the double bass.
I can hear you thinking for yourselves: “a whole album of only instrumental ones! what a wound!” But you’re wrong, that doesn’t have anything unpleasing when it is played with as much talent and sincerity. The three rogues helped of some guests take you along for a musical journey through their tastes -comparable with those which Biller and Wakefield organize-with some covers but also a majority of self-penned ones, moreover Jeremy W. is invited on two tracks! Flavors and colours are multiple but always of good quality. There will be of course some country and western with references to Joe’s great inspirers as Jimmy Bryant (“Low Man One A Totempole” which opens the album) Merle Travis (his “Blue Smoke”) and Joe Maphis (“Town Hall Shuffle”). There‘s bluegrass (“Homebrew Hooch” with the mandoline of Joroen Jongsma who belongs to several folk formations like “Valleys Dish” “The Watchman”, “The Very Girls”) and stroll as “Groovesville” in an “exotica” style with the atmospheric steel of JW and “Get My Bread”. The rockabilly sounds are also part of the album (“Groover’ S Bop”) and even surfing music (“I Can’t Stand It” with organ) and some powerful rock ‘n’ rollers as “The Manhunt” which walks on the Link Wray side and “Guydid” reminds me of Cochran). It wouldn’t be complete without some sun of the Caribbean with the swaying “West Indies Groove”. But there are some more for you to discover…believe me, the trip is worth paying!!!
Long Tall

The Ranch Girls (Miss Mary Ann and Caroline)

Lil Esther Mary Ann — Lil Esther with Miss mary Ann when she replaced Caroline in the Ranch Girls around 1998-1999

The New Ranch Girls (Miss Mary Ann with Raina Thompson)

Frantic Flintstones

1 April 202415 July 2024

Reviews

Frantic Flintstones

Gavin “Chuck” Harvey was born in 1963. His interest in music was sparked by listening to bands like T-Rex, Slade, and The Sweet. At fifteen, he discovered Punk music, with The Clash having the most significant influence on him. The open-mindedness and genre-mixing of Joe Strummer’s band, including elements of Reggae and Ska, would later be reflected in the music of the Frantic Flintstones. They also covered songs like Jimmy Jazz and Bankrobber.
Harvey formed his first band, Mute, where he played bass, albeit not very well according to his own assessment. He then became the vocalist for a Punk/Surf group called What’s This Fish? After discovering the Psychobilly genre, he met Toby ‘Jug’ Griffin, the drummer for Coffin Nails, and this led to the formation of the Frantic Flintstones (initially named the Flintstones). The initial lineup consisted of Chuck, Rick (guitar), Clive Howling (bass), and Griffin on drums. After their first concert in October 1986, Chuck left What’s This Fish? to fully focus on the Frantic Flintstones.
In early 1987, Toby joined the Meteors and left the group, followed by Ric. Chuck then recruited Monkey Gunning, the drummer of What’s This Fish, and Neil ‘Nodger’ Smith. 1987 was a busy year for Chuck and the Frantic Flintstones, as they made a name for themselves on the scene. During this time, Ginger Jones replaced Howling on double bass, but his tenure was short-lived once Chuck met Gary “Gaz” Day. The bassist had advertised his services in Sounds after his first group, the Mysterons, disbanded. Chuck and Gaz hit it off immediately. This lineup (Chuck, Gary Day, Andy Gunning, and Neil Smith) marked the beginning of the group’s recording career.

Bedrock!

Raucous Records RAUC002 [1987]
Bedrock – Hot Head Baby – Let’s Go Somewhere – Sugar Daddy

In July 1987, the Frantic Flintstones entered the South Hill Park studios in Bracknell under the supervision of Mark “Swordfish” Hunt to record five tracks, including the four featured here and “Alley Cat King.”
All the elements that would define the trademark sound of the Frantic Flintstones were already present: wild vocals from Chuck Harvey, energetic slap bass by Gary Day, and simple yet effective guitar. The recording included three fast-paced Psychobilly tunes and a slower track, “Sugar Daddy,” to close.
A total of 1,500 copies were pressed: 1,000 with a printed sleeve and 500 with a white sleeve.

Frantic Flintstones – A Nightmare on Nervous

Nervous Records NERCD034 [1988]
Hellfire – Monte Carlo or Bust – 44 – Please Cool Baby – Oh Baby oh Yeah – Alley Cat King – Gone Gone Well Gone – Red Chevy – Ring ring ringin’ – What the Hell – Sugar Daddy – Frantic Flintstones – Safe Surf* – Shake Your Honey Maker* – Old Jack Joe* – Jack the Ripper* – Whisky Bottle Baby* [*CD bonus tracks]

After the success of their debut EP, Roy Williams of Nervous Records approached the Frantic Flintstones to record an album. The band reunited with Mark Hunt and recorded “A Nightmare On Nervous” in December 1987 and January 1988, with a release planned for March of the same year.
In a certain aspect, “A Nightmare On Nervous” can be compared to an early Johnny Cash album. By that, I mean these guys turned their weaknesses into strengths. With a guitarist who was far from a virtuoso, they built their songs around Chuck’s distinctive voice and a solid rhythm section featuring the powerful Gary Day on bass. However, some songs, though good, like “Sugar Daddy” and “Monte Carlo and Bust,” could have been shorter by a minute. Nevertheless, this album is full of classics with different styles: early psychobilly (What The Hell and Alley Cat King), neo-rockabilly (44, Red Chevy), and even a wild rockin’ blues (Billy Fury’s “Since You’ve Been Gone” renamed here Gone Gone Well Gone).
The CD version featured five bonus tracks, some recorded later with Gasty on bass: two covers played the Flintstones way, “Shake Your Honey Maker” and “Old Black Joe,” “Safe Surf,” a semi-instrumental (Safe Surf repeated a dozen times doesn’t count as lyrics, does it?), “Jack The Ripper” (not Screaming Lord Sutch’s song), and an excellent original “Whisky Bottle Baby,” previously known in a live version on the “Live & Rockin’” album.“, and an excellent original “Whisky Bottle Baby” previously known in a live version on the “Live & Rockin’” album.

Frantic Flintstones A NIghtmare On Nervous

Frantic Flintstones – Rockin’ Out

Link Records – LINK LP 051 [1988]
Rockin’ Out – What The Hell – One Night Stand – Hot Head Baby / Chuck Blows A Fuse – Rockin’ Bones – Let’s Go Somewhere (Rockin’) – No One Stays

The Frantic Flintstones had a successful first album, but it was too long. The following year, they returned with a new label (Link Records), a new guitarist (Jon “Pug” Peet, ex-Mysterons with Gaz Day), and a new mini-album. The shorter length (eight tracks) suited the group better. Surprisingly, the album opens with a Jazzy Fever-style instrumental with a muted trumpet, but something doesn’t quite match the atmosphere: Gaz’s overpowering double bass, which seems invested with a life of its own. The group quickly transitions into a new frenzied version of What the Hell. The future classics follow one after the other. The group has found its balance with this new lineup between Chuck’s rich voice, Gaz’s furious double bass, and Pug’s economical yet precise guitar. As the first side of the record ends, the listener barely has the strength to turn the record over, yet the group launches into Chuck Blows a Fuse, a furious instrumental. Three superb compositions follow, two of which were written during the Mysterons era (No One Stays and House Of Rockin’ Bones), and it’s already over. The Frantic Flintstones have an impressive discography, but this record alone would have been enough for Chuck and his band to make their mark in the Psychobilly genre.

Frantic Flintstones – Yahbahdahbahdoo!

KIX 4 U 2229 [1989]
Alley Cat King – Bed Rock – Hot Head Baby (2nd Version) – Let’s Go Somewhere – Sugar Daddy – Hot Head Baby (1st Version)

This mini-album contains the tracks from the first EP. It also includes a second version of Hot Head Baby, which is not very different from the first version. Additionally, it features the initial version of Alley Cat King, which was recorded during the same sessions. This version has a rawer, almost garage-like sound and approach. The band later refined the song for ‘A Nightmare On Nervous,’ resulting in the masterpiece we know.

Frantic Flintstones – Not Christmas Album

Link Records – Link LP 072 [1989]
Frantic – Wider Road To Hell – Honey Maker – Necro Blues – Oh Little Town Of Bedrock – Gone Gone Well Gone (Harp Mix) / Alone Again/Round Mountain – Just Because – Santa Bring My Baby Back To Me – Santa Claus Is Back In Town – Blue Christmas – Ole Black Joe

The year 1988 was coming to an end, and the Frantic Flintstones showed no signs of slowing down. With their new double bassist, Gasty from the Blue Ridge Rockets (along with Martin “Griz” Smith, also from the Blue Ridge Rockets on drums for some tracks), they went into the studio to record what would eventually become the “Not Christmas Album.”
The group expanded its musical range with the help of guest musicians, including saxophone, slide guitar, banjo, and harmonica. The album kicks off with a cover of Prince Buster’s “Madness,” appropriately renamed “Frantic.” The combination of sax and double bass creates an explosive sound.
The album alternates between slow, menacing parts and sudden accelerations, showcasing a return to top form for the Psychobilly genre with “Wider Road To Hell.” “Shake Your Money Maker” by Elmore James is transformed into a psychotic blues that perfectly suits Chuck and his band. “Necro Blues,” also recorded under the title “Jack the Ripper,” leans more towards the Rockabilly/Hillbilly side.
“Oh Little Town Of Bedrock” starts as a gospel song (“Oh Little Town Of Bethlehem”) before transitioning into a furious new version of “Bedrock.”
Chuck and his band then deliver a new version of “Gone, Gone, Well Gone” (originally Billy Fury’s “Since You’ve Been Gone”), which features an extended bluesy intro with a harmonica.
“Alone Again” begins slowly in a country blues atmosphere, accentuated by the slide guitar, before ending with a festive rendition of “Round Mountain.”
Next, the album features an excellent version of “Just Because” with saxophone. Still in a Presley mood, the Frantic Flintstones cover three Christmas classics played by the King, including an excellent bluesy rendition of “Santa Claus Is Back In Town.”
The superb and eclectic album concluded with “Ole Black Joe.”

Frantic Flintstones – s/t

Raucous Records – RAUC 009 [1989]
Old Black Joe – Alcohol Buzz / 44 – Just Because (HillBill)

This excellent EP was recorded with the same lineup as the one found on the Not Christmas Album (Chuck/Pug/Gasty/Andy). Old Black Joe, also found on Not Christmas Album, is a wild, Psychobilly version of the classic previously recorded by Jerry Lee Lewis, Crazy Cavan & the Rhythm Rockers and Demented Are Go(among others). Alcohol Buzz is more in a Blues/Rockin’ Blues vein, which allows Pug to perform an excellent and lengthy solo. The third track is a new version of 44, superior to the one recorded on Nightmare On Nervous. This essential EP closes with a “hillbilly” version of Just Because, on which Chuck takes his best Cousin Jody voice.

Frantic Flintstones – Live’n’Rockin

Link Records – LINK LP 098 [1989]
Alone Again – Round the Mountain – What The Hell -. Shake Your Moneymaker – No One Stays – Rockin’Bones – Necro Blues – Hang Ten – Bedrock – Old Black Joe – Gone Gone Well Gone – Playschool Baby – Just Because -. Whisky Bottle Baby – One Night Stand – Blue Christmas

The Live and Rockin’ series on Link was mainly a poorly recorded (and often poorly played) affair. One notable exception was the Frantic Flintstone live album recorded during the Rocking Out tour in November 1988. Despite being recorded just after the departure of ace bass player Gary “Gaz” Day(replaced by Gasty from the Blue Ridge Rockets), it finds the Flintstones in top form, playing classics one after another. The songs come from Nightmare on Nervous, Rockin’ Out, and, for the large part, Not A Christmas Album, recorded a couple of weeks after this gig.

Frantic Flintstones – The Nightmare Continues… Demonic Verses…Chuck’s Revenge

Link Records LINK LP 109 [1989]
Smack Smack – Dog Rip – Bone Rest – Twisted Retard – Rasppin’ Grasses – Burned ‘N’ Turned – Dustbin Case – Five Clawed Talon – Angel – Lost Love – Astral Cowboy – Waste of Life

After releasing a few high-end Psychobilly albums still very much influenced by Rockabilly and Neo-Rockabilly, the Frantic Flintstones released “The Nightmare Continues” in 1989. The album was recorded in June of that year and featured Andy Celbo on drums, along with Jon Peet and Gasty. The result was somewhat surprising. While Chuck’s distinctive voice remained recognizable, the entire album had a very dark tone. The heavy and powerful sound was supported by one or more distorted guitars, giving the impression that the Frantic Flintstones had merged with Demented Are Go. This overall sound was quite successful in blending Psychobilly Gothic with the style of the Frantic Flintstones. However, the length of the album made it somewhat repetitive, homogenizing the sound and making all the songs end up sounding similar.

Frantic Flintstones – The Raucous Recordings – Vol. 1

Raucous Records – RAUC LP003 [1990]
Bedrock – Hot Head Baby – Let’s Go Somewhere – Sugar Daddy – Alley Cat King – Ole Black Joe – 44 – Shakin’ – Alcohol Buzz – Hang 10 – Oh Baby Oh Yeah – Hot Head Baby – Phone Call – Raging Sea – B.M.X. – Just Because

This compilation includes some early recordings of the Frantic Flintstones. On the A-side, you’ll find the hard-to-find two EPs released by Raucous. This selection is complemented by Alley Cat King, recorded during the sessions for the first single, and Shakin’ (a cover of Shake Your Money Maker by Elmore James).
Side B is home to six live tracks. While the exact date and personnel for these recordings are unclear, they were likely captured at the group’s early stages. The sound quality may not be perfect, and the group’s playing may be somewhat rough. Still, there’s a unique aspect to these tracks: not only can you hear two rare songs (Gene Maltais’ Raging Sea and B.M.X.), but some seem to be played with electric bass, adding an interesting twist to the group’s sound.

Frantic Flintstones – Schlachthof Boogie Woogie

Link Records LINK LP 129 [1990]
Drugs in the Valley – Holy Sisters – Playschool Baby – Absolution – Endless Sleep – Hang 10 – Trips – Pantman – Breakout Mania – Gonna Miss Ya! – Sexy Red Number – West of London – The Race Is On – Legion Song – D.S. – Pantman

It is challenging to release multiple albums in a short time while maintaining consistent quality. The album Schlachthof Boogie Woogie, which was released in 1990, demonstrates this. While it contains some good songs, it also has a significant amount of filler. The album lacks coherence and suffers from the absence of a solid musical lineup behind Chuck and Jonny Pug. The tracks vary in style, ranging from the acoustic rendition of “Drugs In The Valley (Peace In the Valley)” to “Holy Sisters,” which recalls “The Nightmare Continues.” In between, there is another version of “Playschool Baby” (this time with fiddle, perhaps in an attempt to sound like Demented Are Go?), skabilly track “Endless Sleep,” tunes with a laid-back feeling like “Trips,” a massacre of a classic song (“The Race Is On”), and useless instrumentals like “Breakout Mania” or “Pantman” (aka Batman) with which we are presented in two versions. Not only does it lack coherence, but the execution is also uneven (e.g. the double bass on “Sexy Number” sounds very weird). One highlight is “West Of London,” an adaptation of John Denver’s “West Virginia,” but the group later recorded a superior version for “Cuttin’ A Fine Line.”

Frantic Flintstones – Well Gone In Europe

Kix4U KIX 3358 [1990]
Ole Black Joe – Alcohol Buzz – 44 – Honey Maker – Necro Blues – Gone Gone Well Gone – Let’s Go Somewhere – The Race Is On – Legion Song – Cryin’ Eyes (Country Mix – Broke Up (f/mushrooms Mix) – Endless Sleep (Skankabilly Mix)

The Frantic Flintstones released many albums often with the same songs. In the end, you keep wondering if you have another best-of of slightly different versions. This is what happens with “Well Gone In Europe.” Except if you’re a total and absolute completist, you can live without that one.

Frantic Flintstones – Take A Hike

Kix 4 U KIXCD3363 [1991]
Your Cheatin’ Heart – Dream On-Blue – Just A Dream – Sweet Nothings – So Sad – Little old Lady – Necro Blues – Burned’n’Turned – Rockin’ Bones – Frantic – Honey Maker – Gone Gone Well Gone – Blue Xmas – Santa Bring My Baby Back – Santa Claus Is Back In Town – Old Black Joe – Dream On-move

Even though the sound quality is quite good, this album is far from essential. Out of the 17 songs contained in this album, seven come from “Not Christmas Album,” three are re-recorded versions of Flintstones classics (Burned and Turned, Rockin’ Bones, Necro blues), and in the remaining seven new tunes, Dream On is featured two times (a slow one and a fast one). That said, the latest versions are excellent, the unissued tracks are great, the group is in fine form, and the Frantic Flintstones have released far worse than this album.
It’s a good album, but it’s more for completists.

Frantic Flintstones – Rockin’ With…

Rumble Records – GANG 011 [1991]
Tom Dooley – Gotta Know – Brown Eyed Girl – Therapy

Out of the four songs that constitute this EP, only Therapy is unissued, the other three being lifted from Cuttin’ A Fine Line. It’s a Doo-Wop tune with only Chuck, a vocal accompaniment by the band, and a light piano. You never know what to expect with the Frantic Flintstones, and that’s why they are great!

Frantic Flintstones – Cuttin’ A Fine Line

Rumble RUMBCD009 [1991]
Chilled bones – You’re the one who done it – Sweet Marilee – Jungle love – Time of day – You got me rockin’ – Tom Dooley – Gotta know – Brown eyed girl – Boneshaker baby – Slowly killing me – Don’t want you baby – Drug squad – West of London – Love me – Am I that easy to forget

Released at the dawn of the nineties for the German label Rumble Records (Scum Rats, Rockabilly Mafia, Punishers, etc.), “Cuttin’ A Fine Line” finds the band in superb form and marks the return of Gaz Day on bass with Rich Taylor on drums (Nitros), Pug still on guitar and of course the unmistakable voice of Chuck Harvey. This excellent album (one the very best ever released by the band) mixes classic psychobilly numbers (Chilled Bones, Don’t Want You Baby that features Gaz on lead vocals), blues (Time Of A Day), first-class rockabilly (You’re The One That Done It, Sweet Marilee, Gotta Know), skiffle (Tom Dooley) and some country songs like West Of London and Drug Squad that deals with one of Chuck’s favorite subject. The selection is rounded with two acoustic numbers (Elvis’Love Me and Am I That Easy To Forget), with only Pug and Chuck announcing their following album, the all-acoustic Skin Up, Chill Out, Just Buskin’ Through.

Frantic Flintstones – Skin Up, Chill Out, Just Buskin’ Through

Rumble RUMCD018 [1992]
Hello Marylou – Blue Moon of Kentucky – Will the Circle be Unboken – You Are my Sunshine – Tom Dooley – I Can’t Help it – Born to Lose – Goodnight Irene – It’s Hard to be Humble – Love me – Drugs in the Valley – Take me Home, Country Roads – I Gotta Baby – Am I That Easy to Forget

The only thing predictable with the Frantic Flintstones is that they are unpredictable. In this record, released initially on Rumble Records in 1992, the band, with only Chuck and Pug remaining, opted for an acoustic session. The mood is very laid-back, and the repertoire consists of covers of classic rockabilly and hillbilly tunes from artists such as Hank Williams, Mac Davis, John Denver, Ricky Nelson, Elvis, Johnny Cash, and The Carter Family. Although these are new versions, some of these songs have been recorded by the band before. This collection may not entirely represent the typical style of the Frantic Flintstones, but it is definitely a great addition to any music collection.

Frantic Flintstones – Flesh’n’Fantasy/My Woman Is A Leach

Tombstone Records – Tomb CD 2006 [1992]
My Woman Is A Leach – J.B. Boogie – Will The Circle Be Unbroken – So Close To Heaven – Out Of My Face – Lock Me Up – Fruit Batz – Don’t The Moon Look Lonesome (Lupo) – Sweet Nothings – Gone To The Dogs – Drugged Up Fool (Bonus Track) – Stiffies (Bonus Track) – Devils Rain (Bonus Track) – Fantasize – Fantasize You (Bonus Track) – Sub-Sic-Mental-Menial (Bonus Track) – Tom Dooley (C.D.B.) (Bonus Track) – Necro Blues ’91 (Bonus Track)

On this album, the Frantic Flintstones are Chuck, Pug, Jonny Bowler on double bass, and Rich Taylor on drums. You can also hear Gaz on three tracks from a previous session and Graeme “Captain Drugbuster” Grant.
The album starts with the excellent “My Woman Is A Leach.” After a neo-rockabilly interlude on the Rumble label, the Frantic Flintstones delve into more psychobilly sound, similar to The Nightmare Continues. This is followed by an instrumental that isn’t particularly original but showcases Jonny Bowler’s double bass skills. The next track is a rendition of the Country classic “Will The Circle Be Unbroken,” played over an almost Rocksteady beat. “So Close To Heaven” and “Don’t the Moon Look Lonesome” are two blues-tinged songs that highlight another, more demonstrative side of Pug. “Out Of My Face” is a typical Frantic Flintstones song, alternating between slow and fast parts. “Lock Me Up” is an unusual mix of Rockabilly and Samba on a House beat, which almost works, but the group abandons the track halfway through, leaving the rhythmic loop playing for too long.
The album continues with a pair of Psychobilly tracks (“Fruit Batz” and “Gone To The Dogs”) and a more Neo-Rockabilly tune, “Sweet Nothings.” Then, it moves onto a series of “bonus tracks.” The first is “Don’t Be Cruel,” transformed into “Drugged Up Fool,” which is neither original nor very good. More interesting are the three songs (“Stiffies,” “Devils Rain,” “Fantasize – Fantasize You”) on which Gaz Day plays and were produced and produced by Boz Boorer. These tracks represent the darker side of Frantic Flintstones, reminiscent of Nightmare Continues. “Sub Sic Mental Menial” is reminiscent of Demented Are Go (“One Sharp Knife”), with Chuck’s voice played backward. The album ends with “Tom Dooley” and “Necro Blues,” the latter coming from “Take A Hike.”
In the end, the album contains good songs, although none reach the status of the group’s classics. Still, “Flesh’n’Fantasy”/“My Woman Is A Leach” lacks the direction and homogeneity to rise to the rank of its illustrious predecessors.

Frantic Flintstones – Rock it Boy

Rumble RUMBCD024 [1993]
Marylou – You Call Everybody Darlin’ – You Ain’t Nothing But Fine – I Cant Trust Me In Your Arms Anymore – Carry Me Back To Old Virginia – Blues Stay Away From Me – Blue Moon Of Kentucky – Your Cheatin’ Heart – I’m Walkin’ – Sweet Baby Doll – Will The Circle Be Unbroken – So CLose To Heaven – Jimmy Jazz – Love For A Nutter – Broken Heart

Initially released in 1993, this is the third Frantic Flintstones album for the German label Rumble Records. And like “Cuttin’…” and “Skill Up…” it has a strong rockabilly flavor. The line-up for this one is Chuck, Pug, Johnny Bowler (Get Smart, Guana Batz) and Scag. Although the album lacks original songs, Chuck’s charismatic leadership and the solid backing band make up for it. The band covers songs by artists such as Jerry Lee Lewis, hence the presence of a piano, Ricky Nelson, Rockin’ Sydney, Johnny Burnette/Delmore Brothers, and Hank Williams. They also deliver an excellent rockabilly version of the Clash’s “Jimmy Jazz.” The album also includes different versions of previously released tunes, such as “Blue Moon Of Kentucky,” “Will The Circle Be Unbroken,” and “Your Cheatin’ Heart,” accompanied by backing vocals.
Additionally, “Love For A Nutter” is a demo recorded with Alan Wilson, foreshadowing the following albums (X-Ray Sessions and Jamboree) and the start of a fruitful collaboration.
However, Bowler’s lead vocal on “Broken Heart” is not among the Frantic Flintstones’ highest moments.
The album has been reissued on the British label Raucous Records with a slightly different cover.

Frantic Flintstones – Jamboree

CDMPSYCHO15 [1993]
Detroit Dirtbox – Love For A Nutter – Your Time Is Up – Mean Mean Woman – Diablo – Stay With Me – Sweet Georgia Brown – Lunatics (Are Raving) – Busted – Mindkill – (To The Devil)A Son – Oh 898 – Candyman – He’s Waitin’ – Sad N’ Lonely – Suspended – Chop-Chop, Slash Slash – Honey Child – Hey Chuck – Detroit Bloodbox

Produced by Alan Wilson of the Sharks, who also plays most of the guitar parts, with former bassist Gary Day back in the line-up, Jamboree is one of the three best albums the Frantic Flinstones ever made and probably the richest in styles approached.
Wilson is an outstanding guitar player and songwriter. His collaboration with Chuck Harvey is just perfect.The album features a variety of musical styles, from the surprising jazzy solo in “Diablo” to the country tune “To the Devil A Son,” and even a waltz in “Sad’n’Lonely”. It’s apparent that they had fun exploring various kinds of music.
The album also includes guest appearances. Detroit Donny plays harmonica on the bluesy instrumental “Detroit Dirt Box”, and on the cover of Roy Orbison’s “Candyman,” Sonny West plays some guitars and sings The Sonics’ “He’s Waitin’.” Wilson sings “Mindkill,” a song he co-wrote with Hodges. This song can be seen as the first song recorded by the Sharks reformation. It is during these sessions that Gaz Day convinced Alan Wilson to reform the group with him on bass.
The album features psychobilly, of course, with”Your Time Is Up,” which is reminiscent of “What The Hell” on their debut album, “Sweet Georgia Brown” (not the jazz standard), and the great “Love For A Nutter,” although I do prefer the rawer sounding demo version issued on “Rock It Boy.” Add a bit of rockabilly (“Honey Child” and “Mean Mean Woman”)
If you still wonder why the Frantic Flinstones are so great, just ask yourself who could sing a song about a psycho killer better than them, like a sixties pop ballad.

The Radioactive Kid

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