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Non-Prog CD Reviews

Johnny Kidd

and the Pirates - Please Don't Touch! (vinyl and CD)

Review by Gary Hill

This is a great new set that features a vinyl record (10' 45 RP LP) along with a CD. It comes from Bear Family Records, so you know it's a quality product with extras. Those extras for this one include a post card and booklet. In terms of the music, I think the best material here is on the record, but there is plenty to like on the CD, too. Besides, that's a bonus. I really dig a lot of the more 60s styled guitar rock on this release, but there are other sounds at play on different tunes. All in all, this is another quality release. It should be noted that since the first 12 songs on the CD are the same as those on the record, I've included the same track reviews for the sake of consistency.

This review is available in book (paperback and hardcover) form in Music Street Journal: 2022  Volume 2. More information and purchase links can be found at: garyhillauthor.com/Music-Street-Journal-2022.
Track by Track Review
Record
              
Side 1
                  
Feelin'

This song has some of the main riffing from the group's big hit "Please Don't Touch," and even that line. This is a strong rocker, but perhaps a bit too much like that other one.

I Want That
A cool rock and roller, there is a lot of style and charm built into this thing.
Growl
A rock and roller with so much class, this is a lot of fun.
Shakin' All Over
I first heard this tune as performed by the Yardbirds. I really love their version. This original of the tune, though, is so tasty, as well. It has the killer riffing that makes it so cool. There are some great twists and turns on this. It's a lot of fun. It's a bit strange how it seems to fade out with the song still underway. 
Linda Lu
More of a stripped back rock and roller, this is entertaining, but not at the same level as some of the rest here.
I Can Tell
The guitar solo on this is incendiary. The tune has a great early 60s rock sound to it. It's another classy song.
Side 2
            
So What

I like this stomper quite a bit, but it's not one of the standout tunes. The piano is a lot of fun, though.

Hurry On Back To Love
The style and charm are escalated here. This is such a tasty number. It's a bit subtler and slower.
Restless
I love the guitar sound on this killer tune. There is a great echoey angle to this.
Please Don't Touch
I first heard this done by Girlschool and Motörhead. It's a great rocker there, and here. This has a definite retro (but contemporary at the time) sound. It captures much of the same magic as the version I'm used to hearing does. This is more melodic and less direct than the version Lemmy and company did, but you'd expect that.
Longin' Lips
More of a standard old-school rock and roller, this doesn't work as well for me. The guitar solo is pretty awesome, though.
CD
          
Feelin'

This song has some of the main riffing from the group's big hit "Please Don't Touch," and even that line. This is a strong rocker, but perhaps a bit too much like that other one.

I Want That
A cool rock and roller, there is a lot of style and charm built into this thing.
Growl
A rock and roller with so much class, this is a lot of fun.
Shakin' All Over
I first heard this tune as performed by the Yardbirds. I really love their version. This original of the tune, though, is so tasty, as well. It has the killer riffing that makes it so cool. There are some great twists and turns on this. It's a lot of fun. It's a bit strange how it seems to fade out with the song still underway. 
Linda Lu
More of a stripped back rock and roller, this is entertaining, but not at the same level as some of the rest here.
I Can Tell
The guitar solo on this is incendiary. The tune has a great early 60s rock sound to it. It's another classy song.
So What
I like this stomper quite a bit, but it's not one of the standout tunes. The piano is a lot of fun, though.
Hurry On Back To Love
The style and charm are escalated here. This is such a tasty number. It's a bit subtler and slower.
Restless
I love the guitar sound on this killer tune. There is a great echoey angle to this.
Please Don't Touch
I first heard this done by Girlschool and Motörhead. It's a great rocker there, and here. This has a definite retro (but contemporary at the time) sound. It captures much of the same magic as the version I'm used to hearing does. This is more melodic and less direct than the version Lemmy and company did, but you'd expect that.
Longin' Lips
More of a standard old-school rock and roller, this doesn't work as well for me. The guitar solo is pretty awesome, though.
Please Don't Bring Me Down
I dig the groove and vibe on this cut. The track has some trippy, echoey vibes to it. I'm reminded a bit of The Yardbirds on this. Of course, this predates that band.
Yes Sir, That's My Baby
This is fiery and kind of raw. It has almost a punky edge to it. It's a real powerhouse.
Magic Of Love
With more of a 50s rock and roll vibe, this is a good song, but not really a highlight. I do like the echoey guitar soloing.
You Got What It Takes
There is more of a pop rock and roll feeling to this. This is not bad, but there is a lot better music here.
Let's Talk About Us
I dig some of the energized parts of this, but it's another that's more typical of 50s rock and roll. I love the guitar solo on this number.
A Shot Of Rhythm And Blues

I really love some of the guitar work on this number. It's not a particularly unique song beyond that, but that guitar is enough to elevate this.

Big Blon' Baby
This 50s rocker is solid, but not all that special.
Weep No More My Baby
Here we get another more typical 50s tune. It's another that's again more of an "also ran."
If You Were The Only Girl
Now, this is a ballad that's a bit too sappy for me. I'm not a fan of this one at all. The backing vocals are particularly syrupy.
Vince Taylor & His Playboys - Brand New Cadillac
I dig the cool guitar rock vibe of this. The number is up-tempo and insistent. It rocks really well. This is so much fun.
Nero & The Gladiators - In The Hall Of The Mountain King
I love this. Of course the original classical piece is great, so a rock and roll rendition works well. There is a little spoken thing early, but otherwise this is an instrumental. My one complaint is that the song feels a bit distant and echoey.
The Tornados - Earthy
A guitar rocking instrumental, this another classy one. The organ lends something interesting, turning this into what you might get it you merged the Ventures with Booker T. And the MGs.
Bobby Stevens - Shakin' All Over
This cover of the earlier tune not a big departure, but it works well.
Vince Taylor & His Playboys - Shakin' All Over
More of a stripped back guitar rock concept is on the menu here. This is a classy version of the tune. It has a bit of a Ventures meets Yardbirds thing at play.
Tommy Bruce & The Bruisers - Shakin' All Over
There is a bit of Animals feeling here. The wailing sax is cool, and the gravely vocals are great.
Les Fantomes - Le Diable En Personne (Shakin' All Over)

This is a fascinating foreign language version of the tune. It has some classy guitar work.

Tino Serlet & The Blacks - Shakin' All Over
I love the rocking guitar sound on this killer version of the tune.    
Little Tony & His Brothers - You Got What It Takes
More of a contemporary pop song, this isn't really my sort of thing. It's bouncy and entertaining, but too vanilla for me.
Richard Anthony - You Got What It Takes
More of a mainstream doo wop styled rock and roller, this is solid.
Little Gert & The Streaplers - You Got What It Takes
This number works reasonably well. It's again on the doo wop side, but it's more pop-oriented than previous version was.
Johnny Hallyday - Oui, Mon Cher (I Want That)
I dig the jazzy groove on this number. The vocals are in French, and this oozes cool.
Otto Brandenburg - Hurry On Back To Love
Poppy, jazzy grooves are on the menu here. This is intriguing, and a big change, but not on the same level as a lot of the other stuff here.
 
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