There aren’t any big surprises on this live recording from Commander Cody. Instead, we get a killer slab of Americana that runs the gamut from Zydeco to Rockabilly, Boogie Woogie and more modern sounds. It’s all energized and powerful. It’s quite an entertaining set. In other words, it’s just plain fun.
This review is available in book format (hardcover and paperback) in Music Street Journal: 2013 Volume 3 at lulu.com/strangesound.
Track by Track Review
Too Much Fun
This is a smoking hot rock and roll tune. It’s a great way to start the set in real style. There’s some smoking hot guitar soloing and everyone puts in inspired performances.
Riot in Cell Block # 9
There’s a little mini drum solo at the start here. Then they launch out into another killer rock and roll tune. We get a great retro keyboard solo in this thing.
Oh Momma Momma
They turn things to boogie woogie here. There is also a bit of Zydeco in the mix.
Lone Ranger
Here we get something that’s more of a straight forward rocker. That said, there are some elements that seem not that far removed from progressive rock at times.
River City's Jumpin
Rockabilly is the order of business here. And business is good.
House of Blue Lights
Straight ahead rock, there’s some cool keyboard soloing on this number. It’s got a bit of jazz meets rockabilly vibe at times.
Lightnin Bar Blues
While everything here is of equal quality, the style changes to more of a Grateful Dead kind of rock music. It’s a classy and classic sound and works very well.
Rock That Boogie
Here’s another killer rocker well rooted in old time music. Again the keyboard soloing is noteworthy, but so is the guitar soloing.
Hot Rod Lincoln
The Commander and Company take us on a fun ride on this reworking of an old classic tune. I like this version a lot. In fact, I might like it better than the original.
Beat Me Daddy Eight to the Bar This slice of old time rock and roll features little mini-solos from various members of the group as a showcase kind of thing. It’s classy and tasty.
Lost in the Ozone
Zydeco meets an almost Johnny Cash type of country music on this show-stopper. It’s a lot of fun and features some more killer performances all around.