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Non-Prog CD Reviews

Johnny Burnette

And the Rock 'n Roll Trio (vinyl)

Review by Gary Hill

I haven't heard this artist before. The retro sounds here vary from more hard rocking to 50s pop styles. It works best for me when it has more of an edge. This record from Bear Family is a 10" 33RPM disc on blue vinyl. It comes with a cool postcard. Everything the label puts out is class, and this is no exception.

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
Side 1
                  
Honey Hush

I dig the cool old school rock and roll sound on this, but the recording seems a little raw to me.

Lonesome Train
A blues rocker, there is almost a punky edge to this number. I love how the guitar just keeps dancing around for the full duration.
Sweet Love On My Mind
Old school rock and roll with a bouncing kind of energy, this is another strong tune. I love the bass work on this, but you can't ignore the guitar, either. This is just a fun romp that's packed full of cool.
Rock Billy Boogie
I really the guitar fills on this energetic rocker. As strong as some of the earlier songs were, this really ups the ante.
Lonesome Tears In My Eyes
The guitar wandering around is the best part of this song. There is an almost island feeling to this in some ways. The vocals make me think of Elvis Presley a little. This cut has a real contemporary pop vibe to it.
All By Myself
Now, this rock and roller is all class. It has a great rockabilly groove to it. It's energized and a lot of fun.
Side 2
                     
The Train Kept A-Rollin'

This is a song that I first heard by The Yardbirds and then Aerosmith. This version is tastefully raw and hard rocking. It's all class and so cool. I think I might actually prefer this to those other versions. There is something more authentic about it.

I Just Found Out
Now, this countrified balladic cut is another thing. I don't really care for this one at all. I find the little stutter approach on the vocals to be annoying.
Your Baby Blue Eyes
With some driving bass, this is more like it. This feels a bit like something The Stray Cats would do. It has a real fiery energy and drive to it.
Chains Of Love
A slower, balladic cut, this has some country in the mix, but also some blues. I dig the piano work on this thing. The track as a whole doesn't hit all that well for me, but that piano and jazzy blues guitar jamming really work.
I Love You So
This is more of a contemporary pop ballad. It's a bit too precious for my tastes.
Drinking Wine Spo-Dee-O-Dee
Now, this cool rocking groove is a great to end things in style. It rocks and rolls and really entertains. It's nothing Earth-shattering, but it's a lot of fun and very well done.
  
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