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‘Bring it Back Again’

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(Brian Setzer – Lee Rocker – Slim Jim Phantom – Jonnie Barnett)

This song was co-written with Jonnie Barnett (real name Jonathan Barnett Kaye – 1946-2002) and was recorded for “Blast Off ” (first song of side B) and relesased as a single backed with a live version of Runaway Boys for the 7″. The 12″ and cd also feature I Fought the Law.
It peaked at #35 in the US Rock charts and #64 in UK.
More infos about the different releases here.
Jonnie Barnett was a singer and songwriter who started his career as a solo guitarist opening for Cheech and Chong, Frank Zappa, Eric Burdon of The Animals, Ronnie Milsap, Dion, Tom Rush, Hank Williams Jr. and others. For the last 18 years of his life, he became a well known songwriter on the Nashville music scene. He wrote songs for Etta James, Johnny Adams, Dobie Gray, Clay Walker, Hank Williams Jr., Eric Burdon, Irma Thomas, Dan Penn and many more.
“Bring It Back Again” was performed live during the 1989 tour, the 2004 reunion tour, some dates in 2007 and during the 2008 farewell tour (and this time Lee sang it lead).
Lee Rocker also performs this one during his live shows.

Stray Cats - Bring it Back Again 7"bring-it-back-again-B

Stray Cats – Bring it Back Again 7″

‘Rip It Up’

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A cover of the Little Richard’s hit penned by the team Robert Blackwell and John Marascalco.
In 1956 the song went number one on the R&B Best Sellers chart for two weeks and number seventeen on the pop chart. Bill Haley, Gene Vincent, and Elvis Presley also recorded it in the 50’s. Buddy Holly demoed the song too and one can assume that this is Holly’ version that inspired the Stray Cats cover
‘Rip It Up’ was first played during the early days of the band (Tomcats era) and briefly revived during the first four shows of their 1982 tour (in support of Gonna Ball) with a piano and a saxophone (Mel Collins) but quickly dropped out of the setlist.

‘Gina’

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 Second single from “Blast Off” written by Larson Paine & Bobby Paine and produced by Dave Edmunds.

Stray Cats - Gina -EMI
Stray Cats – Gina -EMI

Though it seems specifically written for the Stray Cats by the Paine Brothers this song had a long journey before ending on the band’s fith album.
It was first recorded in 1981 by Chuck E. Weiss on his debut album (the Other Side of Town) and by Eddie and the Subtitles, a punk rock band from Orange County on their album « Skeletons in the Closet » (produced by Bobby Paine).
Then, three years later in 1984, Josie Cotton recorded it for her second album “From the Hip” also produced by Bobby and Larson Paine. Eventually, the Stray Cats finally covered it in 1989 for “Blast Off” and slightly adapted the lyrics. They accentuated the Buddy Holly feel with Slim Jim adding a tom to his drumkit to emulate a Jerry Allison pattern.
It remained a favorite of their live set, being sometime performed acoustically.
“Gina” was released on vinyl and cd single with Two of A kind on b-side and a live cut of Stray Cat Strut for the maxi version. It also included a poster.

Thanks to Jari Reinikka for the info about the Chuck E. Weiss’ version.

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