Turbula
Online since August 2002
Music

Still one cool cat

Reviewed November 2007

Black Cat Bone
Black Cat Bone
By Lee Rocker

Alligator Records: 2007

To hear sound clips or learn more about this release, Turbula recommends viewing its Amazon.com entry.

While former bandmate Brian Setzer, who was the distinctive lead vocalist for the Stray Cats, is most closely identified with that band and their hits, it's actually bassist Lee Rocker who's stayed most true to the band's original sound. No forays into big band or swing for Rocker – he's always stayed close to the roots music that made him a small fortune.

On his second release for indie blues label Alligator, Rocker continues to turn out top-rank rockabilly, blues, roots rock and old-time rock 'n' roll. Nine solid new songs from Rocker's pen, another from his guitarist, Buzz Campbell of San Diego, an imaginative reworking of Dylan's "One More Night" plus a solo standup acoustic bass workout and a cover of Leon Payne's "Lost Highway" make this a solid listen start to finish.

Rocker also continues to improve as a singer album to album. Blessed with a strong voice, he's starting to develop the same cocksure confidence in front of the mic that he's always had on that big ol' double bass.

Review by Jim Trageser. Jim is a writer and editor living in Escondido, Calif., and was a contributor to the "Grove Press Guide to Blues on CD" (1993) and "The Routledge Encyclopedia of the Blues" (2005).



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