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Various Artists

Rockin’ Legends Pay Tribute to Jack White

Review by Gary Hill

I’ve never been a huge fan of The White Stripes or Jack White in general. So, I came into this thing pretty skeptical. Well, I have to say, I’m pleased. There is some great music here. Also, the whole retro packing on this is a great touch. I like most of this a lot. It’s definitely an unusual and very strong disc.

This review is available in book format (hardcover and paperback) in Music Street Journal: 2014  Volume 1 at lulu.com/strangesound.

Track by Track Review
In The Cold, Cold Night - Wanda Jackson featuring Shooter Jennings

The slow moving, dark atmospheric textures here are cool. The addition of the piano fills out the arrangement nicely. Jackson’s vocals work really well here and this is sort of like a space rock meets progressive kind of thing. There is definitely some psychedelia built into it, too.

I’m Shakin - Big Jay McNeely & Nik Turner
Here’s a smoking hot rock and roller. Nik Turner’s blowing saxophone really adds to the cut and it’s just a great retro number.
Salute Your Solution - Gary U.S. Bonds
The riff driving this makes me think of Judas Priest’s “Living After Midnight.” It’s another smoking hot hard rocker, though. This has lots of energy and is very tasty.
Steady As She Goes - Sonny Burgess & The Legendary Pacers
I love the slower, cool, retro rock sound of this thing. It’s got a great, gritty soulful feeling to it. It seems to have some zydeco in the mix in a lot of ways.
Trash Tongue Talker - Joe Clay & Cranston Clements
I love the killer retro rock and roll groove to this piece. It’s a lot more retro sounding than some of the other stuff here. It’s also one of my favorites.
Another Way to Die - Robert Gordon & Chris Spedding
This is an interesting one. It’s got a real hard rocking sound. I’m not sure why but I’m reminded just a bit of Alice Cooper at times on this.
Seven Nation Army - Knox, Walter Lure & W.S. Fluke Holland
Here’s another that’s quite modern in texture. It’s got a great alternative rock vibe and really has quite an indie feel to it.
Fly Farm Blues - Johnny Powers

The vocals on this are very much like Elvis Presley. The music is a crunchy roots rock jam. This is a smoking hot tune and one of the best of the set. Perhaps it’s important to note that I say that despite the fact that I’m not a big fan of Elvis Presley.

We re Going to Be Friends - Bobby Vee
Psychedelia, roots rock and indie alternative all blend on this cut. It makes me think of Lou Reed a bit in some ways. I’m just not blown away by this tune.
Blunderbuss - Rosie Flores
This thing is quite punk rock in nature. It’s also one of the most effective pieces of the set. I love the guitar soloing, but everything about it is great.
Fell in Love with a Girl - The Dirt Daubers
Distorted and very lo-fi, this is cool, but not great. It’s the most raw tune we’ve heard here.
You Don t Know What Love Is (You Just Do As You re Told) - Rejected Youth Nation featuring Cyril Neville
Somehow this makes me think of a cross between old school David Bowie and Bad Company. It’s a pretty effective tune that’s one of my favorites here. The guitar soloing is particularly noteworthy.
Top Yourself - The Denver Broncos UK
Mellow music, this is very much stripped back noisy indie music sounding stuff. It’s not terrible, but one of the weakest pieces here. That is, until the female vocals take over later. Then it takes on a bit of a cool psychedelic rock vibe. It’s still not one of my favorites even, then, but it’s better. From there it gets a bit more psychedelic yet.
Icky Thump - Los Straightjackets
This instrumental is one of my favorites. It’s got some guitar soloing that reminds me of a mix of The Byrds and Pete Townshend at times. Some killer psychedelic rock tones ensue later in the piece, too. It’s a great way to end the set.
 
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