Scotty Moore: All The King's Men

SWET DOD2-2 (CD)

Sweetfish Records

In 1997 Scotty Moore entered the studio carrying his guitar for the first time in many years. The guitarist for the king of rock and roll had hung up his pick in favor of a recording engineer/producer cap years before. Joining him was old friend and rock'n'roll drummer extrodinaire D.J. Fontana. Not to be stopped, Scotty called Reggie Young, guitar player for the Bill Black Combo, and asked him to gather up the original line up of that swinging band for a cut on the record, too. (Bill Black, Elvis' bass player, died of a brain tumor in 1965 after cutting a few great LP's of his own.) Also joining the king's men on the project are such rock luminaries as Keith Richards, Jeff Beck, Ron Wood, Cheap Trick and a host of others. Looking at the line-up of this recording is enough to let you know there is a great potential for some world-class music. I am glad to report that the cover credits deliver everything they promise.

Scotty Moore is, perhaps, the most overlooked player in the history of rock and roll music. He has worn the hat of engineer, producer and manager, but his guitar technique and the amazing sound he achieved back in 1955 -at what some would call the birth of rock and roll music- is what has influenced virtually every player to come down the pike since. Listen carefully and you will hear musical quotes of his solos scattered like wind-blown autumn leaves on albums from artists as diverse as John Lennon, Ry Cooder, John Fogerty and Paul Simon. Scotty Moore's sound is as fresh today as it was all those years ago. And all those years ago it was enough to change the face of music history!

This compact disc is an HDCD recording. This is my first experience with HDCD. If they all sound like this I could become a convert. These little silver things aren't so bad after all! I was convinced of this fact seconds in to the first cut - Deuce And A Quarter - with Keith Richards and The Band. Keith's voice, what there is of it, has fine presence and great detail. Levon Helm adds smoky harmony and backing. DJ and Stan Lynch keep the tune moving with a beat that is guaranteed to have your feet tapping. These guys sound like they are having fun!

The Mavericks, featuring the voice of Raul Malo, join Scotty and DJ for the next cut I Told You So. This tune had me dancing across the living room, surprised wife in tow. What a great tribute to the king this is - music that is, at once, both contemporary and an ageless memory of what once was (or could have been).

The Bill Black Combo appears on track 4 Goin' Back To Memphis . This is my favorite track on the disc (not easy to choose, there are a few). Moore's rich guitar work plays well as he cuts up with Reggie. Bobby Emmons adds some fine organ riffs. This is bluesy rock and roll at its simple best. Michael Leach's rock steady bass work adds a foundation that lets DJ Fontana and fellow drummer Jerry Thomas stretch out a bit. Simply superb!

All of the 11 cuts on this disc are fun, fun, fun. While not a demo disc in the audiophile sense of the phrase, this recording makes no excuses. The multi-tracked music offers plenty of air and 'palpable presence.' Instrumental lines are well separated and the tonal balance is very nice. I could imagine hearing any of these cuts performed live at a nightclub and hearing pretty much what I hear here.

The final cut on this CD is a barn-burner. Ron Wood's rock ravaged voice starts an ode to the fallen Mr. Black and company with the words "From the heart, you know there are three unsung heroes." I am sure Bill is smiling somewhere. I know I am right here, listening to this. Do get this album, its too good not to have. This may be the ultimate cruising music. Let us all hope that Scotty Moore decides to enter the studio, axe in hand, more often.

Many thanks to Joe Cornwall of Impact Acoustics for sharing his music reviews with us.