Cleopatra Records

****

Veteran rock ’n’ roller Linda Gail Lewis’ latest album sounds exactly like … Linda Gail Lewis. And that’s glorious. There’s no quit in her. At 77, she’s still a powerhouse, dominating the stage and the studio, her voice and her mission statement still as strong as ever. This country rocking honky-tonk queen serves up such a hot platter here that you’ve already heard the whole thing before you know it’s over. She wears her influences heavily on her sleeve. With a golden vintage rock’n’roll vibe, she toes the line between ‘old school’ and modern with ease as she and the crack musicians, led by rockabilly guitar hero Danny B. Harvey and Stray Cats’ drummer Slim Jim Phantom, deliver vintage nuggets for the modern world. Our generation’s rock & roll chameleon, Linda delves into her own personal record collection and then throws in a handful of new originals, that all become simultaneously utterly her own, weaving in her dynamic, rollicking piano skills with fiery arrangements while still reflecting that sepia-tone-tinted musical era. The record’s throwback appeal is made all the more delicious because we know that as much as Linda Gail Lewis remains rooted in the past, she’s allowed her sound to move forward. This is the place to start for timeless rock’n’roll!

Linda Gail’s sound has always been big thanks to that voice, but with a fresh approach, the experience of hearing her is fully immersive, with piano, drums, and guitars giving these recordings a louder, more widescreen scope. She repurposes Them’s Baby Please Don’t Go as a pummelling, in-your-face rock anthem, then gets more experimental with the off-kilter bluesy Friday’s Child, her sensual moans still straddling the line between passion and grit. Train Kept A-Rollin’ is so energetic that it feels more like a live recording than a studio one. This travels on a pounding piano terrain, its rhythmic melody is jammier and offers up the potential to be a live showstopper. In similar style, though not quite as frantic, Flipsville, is the contagious blend of country and rambunctious rockabilly that is beautifully delivered.

She offers a change of pace with the self-penned I Knew That You Were Leaving, a moving and emotional tribute to rock’n’roll legend Jerry Lee Lewis, her late brother.  An absolute highlight, Linda Gail’s sincere delivery is accentuated by the superb musicians backing her up. A robust, bluesy vocal sound, a country-swing beat, and driving honky-tonk piano, a bit of a twisted rockabilly edge are all on display in Seven Long Years. With hard-driving songs like Give Me No Lip and Funnel Of Love, this is a proper sawdust-kicker set. Music that shines as brightly as anything Linda Gail Lewis has ever done. It’s notable as well that the album ends with Boogie Woogie Showdown with a whoop and a holler, an obvious indication that all involved were pleased with the results.

www.lglmusic.com

November 2024