Post by gregg on Aug 15, 2008 23:15:13 GMT -5
By 1973, CRASH was hitting on all cylinders. He had had 7 hits on the Billboard charts, and 5 had gone top 10. The country world was taking notice of this former rock ‘n’ roller from Greensboro, North Carolina. The title of his 1973 album proudly proclaimed CRASH as “Mr. Country Rock” and that said it all.
‘TILL THE WATER STOPS RUNNIN’
The album opens with this track which gave CRASH his sixth top ten hit in just over 2 1/2 years. It stalled at number 8 on the Billboard charts in the fall of 1973. I must confess that it was this song that made me a life-long CRASH addict. Yep, I was a teenage boy many years ago, and I promised and swore not to muss a little blonde’s hair, too !! lol From the excellent fiddle work to the inventive “drip drop” background vocals, this track is unforgettable. ESSENTIAL LISTENING !!!
HONEY LOVE
This song proves that the albums title was indeed correct. CRASH is able to make this Clyde McPhatter classic all his. A couple of years ago, Ronnie McDowell covered this tune, and I think it’s safe to say that Ronnie is also a fan of CRASH’s.
This one by CRASH is SUPERB !!!
SHE’S MINE
This short (2:09) track gives former Crickets member Tommy Allsup a place to lay down some excellent Bass work. CRASH also gives a fine vocal performance on this one as well.
I’M IN LOVE AGAIN
Not many people would dare tackle a number by New Orleans’ Fat Domino and turn it into country-rock. However, we’re talking about a remake by MR. COUNTRY ROCK. So, does it work ? Can CRASH and Ron Chancey make it heir own ? You Bet they can. This one is a MUST HEAR !!!
EVERYBODY LIKES IT
Talk about bringing out the fiddles. This song (which closes side one) is a fiddle-fest. The back cover lists four fiddle players on this album, and there is no doubt they all get a workout on this one.
SLIPPIN’ AND SLIDIN'
In the 1950’s, Elvis covered Little Richard’s Tutti Frutti and Long Tall Sally on his first two albums. So, why shouldn’t CRASH cover Little Richard on his fourth album ? Oh, yea it’s 1973 NOT 1956. However, in 1973 Elvis was in Hawaii recording his TV special and CRASH was taking this Little Richard cover UP the charts to number 14. That’s why, from start to finish, this cover is as good as it gets - especially the echo enhanced line “Ain’t gonna be your fool no more.” If you don’t think this one is smokin’, you should know that Little Richard’s version stalled at number 33 on the pop charts in 1956. Go, CRASH !! ESSENTIAL LISTENING !!!
HOLY COW
The fiddle players must still be resting after their workout on "Everybody Likes It." No worry - Lloyd Green to the rescue. His steel guitar work shines through on this one. His steel guitar makes this track more like Hillbilly-Rock rather than Country-Rock. It’s not my cup of tea, but since its CRASH it's still better than most.
SWEET MAGNOLIA BLOSSOM
It looked like CRASH was going to start off 1974 with his first Billboard number one hit. That’s because during the last week of January in 1974 this infectious country-rocker climbed to number 3 before running out of gas. There is a small play on words there - if you know the song... Don’t wory - CRASH was a mere five months away from that first number one in Billboard. Here’s a hint - a great many stations wouldn’t play “that dirty song”, but it was number one for two weeks. Oh, before I forget - This song (SMB) is a MASTERPIECE !!!
PEGGY SUE
Buddy Holly was from Lubbock, Texas and was greatly influenced by country music. In fact, a former member of his backing group the Crickets plays electric bass on this track. Therefore, this track should be magic - Right ? Well, in my opinion, not really. CRASH does a fine job on the vocals, but should someone try to make touch-ups on the Mona Lisa.... ? Uh, NO !!! There’s no need for that, and no need to try to touch-up this one either. Sorry, CRASH.
WHOLE LOT OF SHAKIN’ GOIN’ ON
At first listen, one might think that this is a taste of CRASH live in concert. However, upon listening to the CD (for this review) with headphones, I can clearly hear Ron Chancey count in the musicians and background singers - who provide the whoops and hollers. I must say that even though this is a simulated live track, it does liven things up and leaves you wanting more. This album closer could have been the fourth hit off the album had it been released. THIS IS HOTT STUFF !!!
Final Thoughts...
As I said earlier, this is the album that made me a believer. If you wanna turn someone on to CRASH’s talent, play this one. Play it loud. It rocks !! **** 1/2
‘TILL THE WATER STOPS RUNNIN’
The album opens with this track which gave CRASH his sixth top ten hit in just over 2 1/2 years. It stalled at number 8 on the Billboard charts in the fall of 1973. I must confess that it was this song that made me a life-long CRASH addict. Yep, I was a teenage boy many years ago, and I promised and swore not to muss a little blonde’s hair, too !! lol From the excellent fiddle work to the inventive “drip drop” background vocals, this track is unforgettable. ESSENTIAL LISTENING !!!
HONEY LOVE
This song proves that the albums title was indeed correct. CRASH is able to make this Clyde McPhatter classic all his. A couple of years ago, Ronnie McDowell covered this tune, and I think it’s safe to say that Ronnie is also a fan of CRASH’s.
This one by CRASH is SUPERB !!!
SHE’S MINE
This short (2:09) track gives former Crickets member Tommy Allsup a place to lay down some excellent Bass work. CRASH also gives a fine vocal performance on this one as well.
I’M IN LOVE AGAIN
Not many people would dare tackle a number by New Orleans’ Fat Domino and turn it into country-rock. However, we’re talking about a remake by MR. COUNTRY ROCK. So, does it work ? Can CRASH and Ron Chancey make it heir own ? You Bet they can. This one is a MUST HEAR !!!
EVERYBODY LIKES IT
Talk about bringing out the fiddles. This song (which closes side one) is a fiddle-fest. The back cover lists four fiddle players on this album, and there is no doubt they all get a workout on this one.
SLIPPIN’ AND SLIDIN'
In the 1950’s, Elvis covered Little Richard’s Tutti Frutti and Long Tall Sally on his first two albums. So, why shouldn’t CRASH cover Little Richard on his fourth album ? Oh, yea it’s 1973 NOT 1956. However, in 1973 Elvis was in Hawaii recording his TV special and CRASH was taking this Little Richard cover UP the charts to number 14. That’s why, from start to finish, this cover is as good as it gets - especially the echo enhanced line “Ain’t gonna be your fool no more.” If you don’t think this one is smokin’, you should know that Little Richard’s version stalled at number 33 on the pop charts in 1956. Go, CRASH !! ESSENTIAL LISTENING !!!
HOLY COW
The fiddle players must still be resting after their workout on "Everybody Likes It." No worry - Lloyd Green to the rescue. His steel guitar work shines through on this one. His steel guitar makes this track more like Hillbilly-Rock rather than Country-Rock. It’s not my cup of tea, but since its CRASH it's still better than most.
SWEET MAGNOLIA BLOSSOM
It looked like CRASH was going to start off 1974 with his first Billboard number one hit. That’s because during the last week of January in 1974 this infectious country-rocker climbed to number 3 before running out of gas. There is a small play on words there - if you know the song... Don’t wory - CRASH was a mere five months away from that first number one in Billboard. Here’s a hint - a great many stations wouldn’t play “that dirty song”, but it was number one for two weeks. Oh, before I forget - This song (SMB) is a MASTERPIECE !!!
PEGGY SUE
Buddy Holly was from Lubbock, Texas and was greatly influenced by country music. In fact, a former member of his backing group the Crickets plays electric bass on this track. Therefore, this track should be magic - Right ? Well, in my opinion, not really. CRASH does a fine job on the vocals, but should someone try to make touch-ups on the Mona Lisa.... ? Uh, NO !!! There’s no need for that, and no need to try to touch-up this one either. Sorry, CRASH.
WHOLE LOT OF SHAKIN’ GOIN’ ON
At first listen, one might think that this is a taste of CRASH live in concert. However, upon listening to the CD (for this review) with headphones, I can clearly hear Ron Chancey count in the musicians and background singers - who provide the whoops and hollers. I must say that even though this is a simulated live track, it does liven things up and leaves you wanting more. This album closer could have been the fourth hit off the album had it been released. THIS IS HOTT STUFF !!!
Final Thoughts...
As I said earlier, this is the album that made me a believer. If you wanna turn someone on to CRASH’s talent, play this one. Play it loud. It rocks !! **** 1/2
