V/A – Sicily Is Rockin’!!
Heytone Records – HT001
Al And The Dirty Shakers – Dirty Shakers / Dale Rocka & The Volcanoess – One More Chance / Marco J & The Jaywalkerss – You’re So Nic / Robbie Dee – Love or Trouble / Vince And The Moon Bopperss – Summer Love / Halfchicken – The Moon And Me / Dale Rocka & The Volcanoes – Two Tone Shoes / Louisiana Reed – Pretty Baby / Al And The Dirty Shakers – Lover’s Moon / Jaguar & The Savanas – Riding Against The Wind / Halfchicken – Killing Time / Vince And The Moon Boppers – The One I Love / Robbie Dee – Sweety Bee / Marco J & The Jaywalkers – The Best That I Can
Sicily is Rockin’!! is an excellent compilation featuring eight Sicilian bands showcasing the island’s richness and diversity.
Al and the Dirty Shakers kick things off with a superb, aggressive instrumental that immediately sets the mood. Their second track, equally good, is reminiscent of Pat Capocci.
Dale Rocka and the Volcanoes can now be considered veterans, but their thoroughly traditional rockabilly, to our great delight, shows no sign of mellowing.
Like Dale Rocka,
Vince and the Moon Boppers have been around for quite a few years now. So much so that we’ve become accustomed to the band’s quality that we’re hardly surprised anymore. That’s a shame. Bands who play rockabilly with such impeccable taste are rare. “The One I Love” is as wild as a forgotten Meteor single (I think Willie Lewis of Rock-A-Billy Records would have loved to record these guys), while “Summer Love” is a medium-tempo rockabilly with hints of Johnny Horton.
If you’re in the mood for jump blues, Marco J and the Jaywalkers are the band for you, whether it’s “You’re So Nice” with its impeccable, subtly piano-driven groove, or “The Best That I Can” with its juicy horns, not to mention that Johnny Guitar Watson-esque guitar.
Half Chicken plays in a fairly similar style, though with a slightly more pronounced rock ‘n’ roll edge.
Propelled by a solid double bass, Louisiana Reed‘s “Pretty Baby” strikes the perfect balance between rockabilly and jump blues, much like the Paladins before them.
I don’t know if the waves are good for surfing in Sicily, but in any case, Jaguar and the Savanas, with their reverb-drenched instrumental, are ready to provide the soundtrack for all the surfers on the island.
I’ve saved the best for last. On a record featuring only good bands, it could seem unfair to pick one, but Robbie Dee is a phenomenon (and a great discovery for me). Not only does she confidently sing her two excellent compositions (Love or Trouble, an uncompromising rocker, and the swingier Sweety Bee), but she also recorded all the instruments herself. Someone please get her to record an LP!
As you can see, this compilation, which offers a truly diverse range of styles, is essential.
Fred “Virgil” Turgis
