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Buddy Holly

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Buddy Holly - Hollybilly
Buddy Holly – Hollybilly

Buddy Holly – Hollybilly, 1956: The Complete Recordings

El Toro ETCD 1012
Disc One
Baby, Won’t You Come Out Tonight? – Love Me [With Studio Chat] – Don’t Come Back Knockin’ – Midnight Shift – Blue Days, Black Nights – Rock Around With Ollie Vee [Fragment] – Rock Around With Ollie Vee [July 1956 Version] – Because I Love You – Changing All Those Changes [Clovis Demo Version] – I Guess I Was Just A Fool – It’s Not My Fault – I’m Gonna Set My Foot Down – Rock-A-Bye Rock – Girl On My Mind – That’ll Be The Day – Ting-A-Ling – I’m Changin’ All Those Changes [Fragment] – I’m Changin’ All Those Changes [Nashville Version] – Modern Don Juan – You Are My One Desire [False Start] – You Are My One Desire – Rock Around With Ollie Vee [November 1956 Version]
Disc Two
Honky Tonk [Undubbed Lubbock Demo] – Good Rockin’ Tonight [Undubbed Lubbock Demo] – Brown-Eyed Handsome Man [Lubbock Demo] – Bo Diddley [Lubbock Demo] – Rip It Up [Undubbed Lubbock Demo] – Blue Monday [Undubbed Lubbock Demo] – Blue Suede Shoes [Undubbed Lubbock Demo] – Shake, Rattle & Roll [Undubbed Lubbock Demo] – Ain’t Got No Home [Undubbed Lubbock Demo] – Holly Hop [Undubbed Lubbock Demo] – Bo Diddley [Undubbed Clovis Demo] – Brown-Eyed Handsome Man [Undubbed Clovis Demo] – Have You Ever Been Lonely?#1 [Undubbed Lubbock Demo] – Have You Ever Been Lonely? [Fragment] – Have You Ever Been Lonely?#2 [Undubbed Lubbock Demo] – Gone [Fragment] – Gone #1 [Undubbed Lubbock Demo] – Gone #2 [Undubbed Lubbock Demo]

Someday, if all the legal issues are resolved or most likely when his recordings fall into the public domain, someone will release an ultimate and definitive Buddy Holly boxset. In the meantime we’ll enjoy this reissue of his early material recorded in 1956.A storming gig by a young boy from Memphis called Elvis convinced the young Buddy Holly that his future was in rockabilly, not in hillbilly and precipitated the end of his partnership with Bob Montgomery. CD 1 contains the full session recorded for the first time under Holly’s name in Nashville (later issued on album by Decca under the name “That’ll be the day”) completed with studio chats, fragment of unissued takes and false starts. Also presents on this first cd are the demos made with Norman Petty at Clovis and released here without those lame overdubs made by The Fireballs. The second cd is made of home-recordings when Buddy was back in his hometown of Lubbock. This raw sides of Buddy Holly playing covers of Elvis, Carl Perkins, Chuck Berry, Big Joe Turner and Clarence Frogman Henry as well as “Have You Ever Been Lonely” (no less than four takes are included here) and the country hit “Gone” are a thrilling testimony. Two instrumentals (Holly Hop and Honky Tonk) were recorded on that informal sessions and they show a guitarist gaining in confidence. Later overdubbed, the takes present are the original masters. The booklet is interesting, well done with the singles reproduced inside. These are essential recordings and we can only hope El Toro will continue the job with the following years.

Buddy Holly - Not Fade Away
Buddy Holly – Not Fade Away

Buddy Holly – Not Fade Away, 1957: The Complete Recordings

El Toro ETCD 1016
DISC 1: 1.I’m Lookin’ For Someone To Love 2.That’ll Be the Day 3.Last Night – (Undubbed Original Version) 4.Maybe Baby – (First Version) 5.Last Night 6.Words Of Love – (Demo) 7.Words Of Love 8.Mailman, Bring Me No More Blues 9.Not Fade Away – (alternate take) 10.Not Fade Away 11.Everyday 12.Ready Teddy 13.Valley Of Tears 14.Tell Me How 15.Buddy’s Hone Call To Paul Cohen OF Decca Records 16.Go Boy Go – (KDAV Demo, with Gary Dale) 17.Gone – (KDAV Demo, with Gary Dale) 18.Go Boy Go – (Norman Petty Demo, with Gary Dale) 19.Golden Rocket, The – (Norman Petty Demo, with Gary Dale) 20.Gone – (Norman Petty Demo, with Gary Dale) 21.I Overlooked An Orchid – (Norman Petty Demo, with Gary Dale) 22.On My Mind Again – (with Billy Walker) 23.Viva La Matador – (with Billy Walker) 24.Whole Lot Of Lovin, A – (Take 1, with Jim Robinson) 25.Whole Lot Of Lovin, A – (Take 2, with Jim Robinson) 26.Whole Lot Of Lovin, A – (Take 3, with Jim Robinson) 27.Whole Lot Of Lovin’, A – (with Jim Robinson) 28.It’s a Wonderful Feeling – (with Jim Robinson) 29.Starlight – (Original With Echo, with Jack Huddle) 30.Believe Me – (Original Without Echo, with Jack Huddle) 31.Starlight – (with Jack Huddle) 32.Believe Me – (with Jack Huddle)
DISC 2: 1.Peggy Sue – (alternate take) 2.Peggy Sue 3.Listen To Me 4.That’ll Be the Day – (Promotional Recording) 5.That’ll Be the Day – (Promotional Recording) 6.Oh, Boy! – (Undubbed Original Version) 7.Oh, Boy! 8.That’ll Be the Day – (Promotional Recording) 9.I’m Gonna Love You Too 10.Send Me Some Lovin’ – (Original Undubbed Demo) 11.It’s Too Late – (Original Undubbed Demo) 12.Send Me Some Lovin’ 13.It’s Too Late 14.Man From Texas – (with Jim Robinson) 15.Honey, Honey – (with Gary Dale) 16.Look To the Future – (with Gary Dale) 17.By the Missio Wall – (with Fred Crawford) 18.Wreck Of the Old ’97 – (with Carolyn Hester) 19.Scarlet Ribbons – (with Carolyn Hester) 20.Sugartime – (Take 1, with Charlie Phillips) 21.One Faded Rose – (with Charlie Phillips) 22.One Faded Rose – (Take 1, with Charlie Phillips) 23.Sugartime – (with Charlie Phillips) 24.One Faded Rose – (with Charlie Phillips) 25.Humble Heart – (with Sherry Davis) 26.Borken Promises – (with Sherry Davis) 27.Moondreams – (with Norman Petty Trio/The Picks) 28.Moondreams – (instrumental, with Norman Petty Trio) 29.Moondreams – (roses, with Norman Petty Trio)
DISC 3: 1.You’ve Got Love 2.Maybe Baby 3.Empty Cup, An (And a Broken Date) 4.Rock Me, My Baby 5.That’ll Be the Day – (Unidentified Live Fragement) 6.That’ll Be the Day – (Live On Ed Sullivan) 7.Peggy Sue – (Live On Ed Sullivan) 8.Interview With Ed Sullivan 9.Little Baby 10.You’re So Square (Baby I Don’t Care) 11.Look At Me 12.Mona – (Rehearsal) 13.Mona – (Take 1) 14.Mona – (Take 2) 15.Mona – (Take 3) 16.Peggy Sue – (Live On Arthur Murray) 17.Don’t Do Me This Way! – (First Version, with Rick Tucker) 18.Patty Baby – (with Rick Tucker & the Picks) 19.Don’t Do Me This Way! – (with Rick Tucker & the Picks) 20.Promotional Spot For Bill Randle #1 – (with Bill Randle) 21.Promotional Spot For Bill Randle #2 – (with Bill Randle) 22.Promotional Spot For Don Passerby #1 – (with Don Passerby) 23.Promotional Spot For Don Passerby #2 – (with Don Passerby) 24.Promotional Spot For Don Passerby #3 – (with Don Passerby) 25.Promotional Spot For Don Passerby #4 – (with Don Passerby) 26.Interview With Red Robinson – (with Red Robinson) 27.Promotional Spot For Red Robinson 28.Interview With Freeman Hoover – (with Freeman Hoover) 29.Promotional Spot For Interview With Freeman Hoover – (with Freeman Hoover) 30.Interview With Dale Lowery – (with Dale Lowery)
El Toro pursues its superb work of reissue of Buddy Holly’s complete recordings. Three cd’s have been necessary to gather every sides Buddy Holly played on in 1957. The amount of work is impressive both from Holly and 50 years later from the label. 1957 was the year of “That’ll Be The Day”, “Words Of Love”, “Peggy Sue”, “Maybe Baby” and many more… In addition to those classics you’ll find demos (a rough one of “Words Of Love”), early versions (an interesting take of Maybe Baby in its early stage of conception), alternative takes (Peggy Sue, with 4 takes you can assist at the creation of Mona), every known live appearances (That’ll Be The Day and Peggy Sue on the Ed Sullivan Show). The undubbed versions are also present giving back those jewels their original splendour. Hardcore fans would be pleased to find a couple of interviews and promotional recordings for DJ’s with new lyrics adapted to the radio stations. A touching moment is to hear Buddy Holly’s phone call to Paul Cohen of Decca records about his contract. The rest of the sides are made of artists Buddy Holly and the Crickets backed, mainly hillbilly boppers but also pop and country tunes and even a Cha cha. As anecdotic as they could sound they are none the less essential to understand the evolution of the band and reveal a relatively unknown side of the boys. I’m waiting for the 1958 package eagerly.
Fred “Virgil” Turgis

Bob Luman

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Bob Luman Red Hot
Bob Luman Red Hot
Bob Luman – Red Hot

Bob Luman – Red Hot 1956-1957

CD+DVD
ETCDVD 10011
All Night Long (Imperial 8311) – Red Cadillac And A Black Mustache (Imperial 8311 – undubbed) – Amarillo Blues (Imperial unissued) – Wild-Eyed Woman (Imperial unissued) – Blue Days, Black Nights (Imperial unissued) – Red Cadillac And A Black Mustache (Imperial 5705 – overdubbed) – Red Hot (Imperial 8313) – Whenever You’re Ready (Let’s Fall In Love) (Imperial 8313) – Your Love (Imperial 8315 – overdubbed) – Make Up Your Mind, Baby (unissued first take) – Your Love (unissued first take) – Make Up Your Mind, Baby (Imperial 8315 – cool version) – Your Love (undubbed take) – Make Up Your Mind, Baby (Imperial 8315 – wild version) – Stranger Than Fiction (Texas demo – Rollin’ Rock 45-028) – You’re The Cause Of It All (Texas demo – Rollin’ Rock 45-028) – That’s Allright (Texas demo – Rollin’ Rock EP 034) – Hello Baby (Texas demo – Rollin’ Rock EP 034) – In The Deep Dark Jungle (Texas demo – Rollin’ Rock EP 034) – Let ‘Er Go (Texas demo – Rollin’ Rock EP 034) – Let It Happen (unissued Texas demo) – No Use In Lying (California demo)- That’s Alright (California demo) – Hello Baby (California demo) – The Shadows – The Creep (Bob Luman’s band – California demo) – The Shadows – Shadow Rock (Bob Luman’s band – California demo) – The Shadows – Jumping With The Shadows (Bob Luman’s band – California demo) – This Is The Night (Carnival Rock soundtrack)- All Night Long (Carnival Rock soundtrack) – The Creep (Carnival Rock soundtrack) – David Houston with The Shadows – One And Only (Carnival Rock soundtrack) – David Houston with The Shadows – The Teenage Frankie And Johnnie (Carnival Rock soundtrack)
Slowly but surely and with an impeccable taste, El Toro makes its place in the world of reissues and is now a label you have to count with. After Buddy Holly, Pat Cupp and Johnny Burnette, the new legend to receive the El Toro treatment is Bob Luman. Well what can I say about Luman? If you’re on this website and read this lines I can, without making a big mistake, assume that you are a rockabilly fan. An wether you know Luman or not, this cd is a must have for you. You have the complete recordings made by Luman in 1956-57 with some of the finest rock’n’roll musicians like earl Palmer, James Burton and James Kirkland. From early demos, with one of the best rock’n’roll song of all times “Deep Dark Jungle“, to his Imperial classics (Red Hot, Red Cadillac and a Black Moustache, All Night Long), with alternate takes, dubbed and undubbed version and unissued stuff, this is the most comprehensive set about Luman available on the market if you except expensive boxsets but this one has the advantage to concentrate on his rock’n’roll/rockabilly years. And if you still hesitate (which seems impossible but…) El Toro has included the DVD of Carnival Rock, a rock’n’roll movie, starring Luman, The Platters, The Blockbusters and David Houston.
Fred “Virgil” Turgis

Ronnie Hayward

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Ronnie Hayward - Tail Shaking
Ronnie Hayward – Tail Shaking

Ronnie Hayward – Tail Shaking

El Toro Records – ETCD 2033
Whiskey Flavored Kisses – We’ll Get High -You Can’t Tell me Why – Ronnie’s Blues – Pink Wedding Gown – One Way Ticket – No More For You – Mean Streak Mama – Lonesome Feeling – Quit My Cryin’ – I Don’t Lie It – Honey I’m – Connie lou – Adrianna – Beggin’ Time – 90 Miles An Hour
This cd from Ronnie Hayward is actually a very welcome reissue of material that was previously only available on vinyl ( “Somewhere Out There” on Tail Records, hence the title) with four unreleased tracks from a later session. For this four tracks a drummer joined the trio. You’ll find no slick production here, Ronnie’s music, a fine blend of rural blues, rockabilly and hillbilly bop, is raw and unadulterated. “Whiskey Flavored Kisses”, one of the four unreleased tune, appears here in a very different version than the one on “Too Many Chiefs”, without the slide guitar and with the emphasis put on the rhythm section : heavy strumming acoustic guitar and simple and effective drums and just one stroke of electric guitar in the middle. Simply brilliant. “We’ll Get High” sounds a bit like “Domino” with obsessive guitar and heavy slap bass. Changing mood, “You Cant Tell Me Why” has a kind of a rumba beat into it. Don’t be fooled by the name, “Ronnie’s Blues 5” is not a blues but more a uptempo hillbilly tune with Ronnie’s howlin’ vocal. “No more for you” is a country weeper with harmony on the refrain while “Mean Streak Mama” reflects Hayward’s blues side. Sure this guy in not always in tune, but the lack of exactness is highly compensated by the intensity of his interpretation, even through the stereo one can feel his presence. Isn’t that the most important with this type of music? Fans of Johnny Burnette’s Rock’n’Roll trio will enjoy “Quit My Cryin’” with its “Rock-Billy Boogie” beat. “Honey I’m” is rather different than the other one, more modern if that word has some kind of signification for a Ronnie Hayward’s album, with drums rolls that put a constant tension in the song. “Beggin’ Time” is quite close to the original version and Hank Sow’s “90 Miles An Hour”, which is originally quite soft, could be compared to the best of Wayne Hancock. This comparison is not only valid for this song, both share something really simple, something that makes great artist, something called personality.
Fred “Virgil” Turgis

Rockin’ Bonnie & the Rot Gut Shots

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Rockin' Bonnie - Cocktail Jubilee
Rockin’ Bonnie – Cocktail Jubilee

Rockin’ Bonnie & the Rot Gut Shots – Cocktail Jubilee

El Toro ETCD3024 {2009}
Bell Bottom Boogie – Gotta Honky Tonk – What Am I Worth – Kitty Kat Corner – All Of This – Burnin’ – I’m Hurtin’ Again – I Love Booze – I Wanna Make Love – I Heard About You – I Start Messin’ Around- Juke Box Blues – Papa Boogie – Bring Along Your Lovin’ – Time’s A Waistin’
The debut album of this young Italian lady was one of the good surprise of 2009.
 Backed by a bunch of well know faces who happen to be brilliant musicians too (including Nuno from the Boppin’ Boozers on slap bass, Max from the Starlighters who wrote six originals- on guitar and steel guitar, Manuel from Hot Tubes on drums and Jerry on piano from too many bands to mention here).
The band takes great advantage of Jerry’s pounding piano and opens the set with the fantastic Bell Bottom Boogie. The core of the set is made of hillbilly and hillbilly boogie, some very rural (I Heard About You), others with fine bluesy licks (I Wanna Make Love), but you also find country waltz with harmonies (All Of This close to the early Ranch Girls stuff), wild rock’n’roll with Jerry in full Jerry Lee mode (Burnin’), rockabilly (I’m Hurtin’ Again, Kitty Kat Corner), jazz (I Love Booze) a bit of western swing (Papa Boogie).
As said before the musicianship is top notch, but that’s Sabrina (Rockin’ Bonnie)’s voice that steals the show. She rocks like Lorrie Collins, has the country flair of Patsy Cline and shares with June Carter the same fun and abandon.
Highly recommended.

Fred “Virgil” Turgis

Mr Whiz – I Wanna Go

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mrwhiz2_small El Toro
I Wanna Go – High Class Weddin’ – Leave That Junk Alone – Dark Swamp – City Lights – Million Dollar Gang – Otro Corazón – When I Left El Paso – When Love Calls On You – I Wanna Be A Millionaire – All My Life Is Gone
This good surprise comes from Spain as the slight accent of Klaus Villarrel (singer and double bass player) reveals. This trio (guitar, light drums mostly played with brushes and double bass) plays an excellent brand of roots music they call hillbilly swing and it suits them well. They mix influences from Hank Williams (All My Life Is Gone) to Johnny Burnette (Million Dollar Gang is a wild rocker in the vein of Train Kept A Rollin’) and Charlie Feathers. In between you find City Light, a bluegrass influenced number with two parts harmonies and “When I Left El Paso” that reminds of the great Marty Robbins with lyrics (by the way the lyrics are included) like “But at night bad luck came to my life / When a fight started my knife had to shine / the blood in my hand and his body on the flor / the sheriff’s son is dead and my soul went down” . You’ll also find some Johnny Cash with the cover of “Leave that junk alone” and his trademark boom-chica-boom rhythm is featured on “When Love Calls On You“. The name of the band comes from guitar virtuoso Jerry Reed, and guitar player José Casarejos does justice to this name especially on the swingin’ hot number “I Wanna Be A Millionaire“. Another highlight is “Dark Swamp”, a haunting number not that far from neo-rockabilly, with lyrics close to “Endless Sleep“or even “Johnny Remember Me“. With only eleven songs (9 self penned tunes), Mr Whiz offers a tight album with no filler and are another proof of the good heath of the Spanish scene.

Fred “Virgil” Turgis

The Western Aces – Introducing…

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westernaces_small El Toro 3021
Ice Cold Water -Same Old Cell – Drinkin’ Man’s Boogie – Seeing Double – Tell Me Why (we Can’t Be In Love) – Leave That Junk Alone -Hep Cat Baby -Four Walls And A Table – Oh Boy – Mean Mean Mama – Old ’32 – I Was There When It Happened.
This is the debut album for this British band, but Phil (Tennessee Rhythm Riders) and Mark (The Ricardo’s) are now well known characters on the scene, and brothers Gordon and Dave Doel were in the Young Savages. With a sound as authentic as you can get, a set of solid originals you’d swear they come from an old 78’s, and well choosen covers (Glenn Barber, Merle Kilgore, Johnny Cash), they offer a solid and highly enjoyable mix of hillbilly, rockabilly, boogie and western swing. Supported by a tight rhythm section, the guitar and the steel shine throughout. Another strong point is that, not only three of them can write songs, but the same three (Dave Doel, Gordon Doel, Phil Morgan) sing which gives to this album a welcome diversity. This is their first, let’s hope it won’t be the last cause this guys have a lot to offer to anyone who has good taste in music!
Fred “Virgil” Turgis
PS – See also the Doel Brothers

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