Francine

Francine – Shake My Bones

My Way WAY 1203 [1989]
Shake My Bones – Sweet Lovin / Little Girl of Mine – Alley of Sorrow

Francine was formed in 1987 with Pete Salomaa on bass, Mika Jokinen on vocals and guitar, and Esa Nurminen on drums. The name of this Finnish band was inspired by the song “Francine” by ZZ Top. After recording a demo, Tude Usvalla joined the band on drums in 1989. Jari Paksuben completed the lineup when he joined Francine on rhythm guitar, and Mika switched from electric to double bass.

The band quickly gained recognition and was offered a contract by My Way Records. This led to the recording of their debut EP, which was released in the fall of 1989.

The title track is a fantastic Neo-Rockabilly song reminiscent of Stray Cats and Polecats with modern touches similar to Long Tall Texans. “Sweet Lovin’” is a softer, more melodic, and almost acoustic track with a swinging rhythm and a jazzy touch. “Little Girl Of Mine” may be less original, but the punchy double bass and jerky rhythm will please fans of the genre. The EP concludes with “Alley Of Sorrow,” a superb Jazzy Rockabilly track that can be likened to “The Best Way To Jive” by the Wild Ones and “The Midnight Special” by the Nitros.

Official website.

Francine – Fire 

My Way Records – WAY 1205 [1990]
Little Girl Of Mine – Till The Day I Die – I’m On Fire – By The Light Of The Moon – Dreamin’ – These Boots Are Made For Walkin’ – Two Fools – Sweet Lovin’ – I’ll Keep My Feet On The Ground – Midnight Train – Hit The Road Jack

Between Shake My Bones and Fire, released in February 1990, the band’s lineup remained unchanged: Jari Paksunen (acoustic guitar), Pete Salomaa (double bass), Tude Usvaala (drums), and Mika Jokinen (vocals and lead vocals).
The album features eleven tracks (the CD includes the EP Shake My Bones and a fifth song as a bonus), including three covers: I’m On Fire (Bruce Springsteen), These Boots Are Made For Walkin’ (Nancy Sinatra), and Hit The Road Jack (Ray Charles). The other tracks were composed by either Salomaa or Jokinen.
What makes this album original and what sets it apart from many albums released at the same time is its acoustic tone. The songs in their form borrow from Neo-Rockabilly, sometimes tinged with melodic pop (Two Fools), but the instrumentation remains mainly acoustic. The bass is highlighted, without necessarily being slapped, and the drums are often played delicately with brushes. This light instrumentation allows Francine to give a more jazzy touch to certain songs (Til The Day I Die, which includes superb vocal harmonies, or Dreamin and its subtle rhythm). The same goes for their cover of Hit The Road Jack which, as a fair reward, is in turn inspired, whether it be the backing vocals or the attack of the guitar solo, by Stray Cat Strut. As for the other two covers, I’m On Fire owes as much to the Guana Batz version as to the original, and These Boots, with its powerful double bass, is one of the best covers of this song.
Speaking of slapped double bass, the fan will enjoy listening to the intro of Little Girl of Mine, halfway between Move Baby Move and Restless. As with the excellent Sweet Lovin’, these are different versions, better produced and with a fuller sound, than the ones that appear on the EP. There is also a superb syncopated rhythm and excellent drum and double bass work on By The Light Of The Moon. We find two fast Rockabilly songs, the galloping I’ll Keep My Foot On The Ground and Midnight Train (a composition contrary to what one might believe), driven by a powerful double bass.
 Fire is an album mastered from start to finish, benefiting from a very good production that highlights the instruments, all very well-balanced. In short, a success!