Product Description:
ROCKABILLY BLUES consists of previously unreleased songs from his sessions for Rounder Records.
Personnel includes: Sleepy LaBeef (vocals, guitar); Cliff Parker, Bobby Keyes, Duke Levine, E.J. Ouellette (guitar); Buddy Spicher (fiddle); Scott Billington (harmonica); Jo-El Sonnier (accordion); Earl Poole Ball, Harry Duncan, Dave Keyes (piano); Phil Breeding (acoustic bass); Henry Strzelecki, Paul Bryan, Russell Keyes (electric bass); Lisa Pankratz, Rick Nelson, D.J. Fontana (drums).
Producers: Ken Irwin, Scott Billington, Jake Guralnick, Peter Guralnick.
Compilation producer: Scott Billington.
Engineers include: Jerry Shook, Paul Mufson, Bob Kempf.
Recorded between 1980 & 1996. Includes liner notes between Scott Billington.
Digitally remastered by Laurie B. Flannery (Northeastern Digital, Southborough, Massachusetts.
At the time of ROCKABILLY BLUES's release in 2001, Sleepy LaBeef was not only, at six foot seven, the tallest living Sun rockabilly star, but by far the best. LaBeef's music just keeps getting better and better as he ages.
This collection of previously unreleased '80s Rounder recordings emphasizes his blues side, with definitive performances of Muddy Waters' "Mannish Boy" (uniquely suited to LaBeef's sonorous baritone), Jimmy Reed's "Bright Lights, Big City," and Sonny Boy Williamson's "Bottle Up and Go." Rock and country ringers include blistering versions of two Little Richard classics and a revival of "Make Room for the Blues" by rockabilly cult figure Skeets McDonald. This is roadhouse music of the highest order.
Entertainment Reviews:
CMJ - 2/26/01, p.13
"...A collection of previously unissued, leftover tracks from his sessions for the Rounder label....most cuts showcasing [his] acumen for his second love, the blues..."
JazzTimes - 5/01, p.118
"...Focuses on [his] bluesy side with juicy renditions of Jimmy Reed's 'Bright Lights, Big City,' Little Richard's 'Long Tall Sally' and 'Rip It Up'..."
Tracks:
