CD - Alligator Records 2006

Lee Rocker lives up to his stage name admirably in his latest release, Racin' The Devil. Born Leon Drucker in 1961, the dynamic electric and standup bass player of Stray Cats and Phantom, Rocker & Slick fame has released a rousing rocker. His Texas born guitarists, Brophy Dale and Buzz Campbell, provide astonishing picking modus operandi, as well as a tasteful blend of styles influenced by the likes of Scotty Moore, Brian Setzer, Dick Dale, Chuck Berry, and many others. The output is a fine mesh of American rockabilly, country and classic rock. Jimmy Sage, Rocker’s drummer for the past 8 years, rounds out this raucous quartet.

Though Lee Rocker’s musicianship needs no highlighting, as his playing ability has been a point of interest since he first started strutting his Stray Cat bottom melody, his voice is amazing throughout. All too often these days, as many classic rockers, blues players and so on, attempt to make do with what they have vocally, Rocker’s voice is exceptionally good.

The CDs opener, ‘The Girl From Hell’, is a powerful song, reminiscent of Phantom Rocker & Slick’s ‘Men Without Shame’. Rocker sings the humorous lyrics with potent finesse. An interesting cover of Stray Cats’ ‘Rock This Town’ follows, executed in a minor key, which is actually what separates it from the original. Rocker’s vocals are just as good as the Setzer original and the musicianship is outstanding. ‘The River Runs’ is a pleasant ballad in a soft driving Elvis mode. It’s one in a handful of Lee Rocker originals on the CD, proving his song writing talent is one to reckon with. ‘Say When’ is a Carl Perkins number. Both guitarists are at home in their own backyard here. The vibrant strumming and rockabilly solo picking would easily put a smile upon the face of the rockabilly pioneer. Jimmy Sage’s vibrant drumming struts the rhythm along nicely.

‘Ramblin’ is a country ballad, a fine storyteller. It’s the type of song that flaunts Rocker’s vocal ability, one that’s passionate and melodic. ‘Rockin’ Harder’ is a goodtime rocker in a 50s groove. The Chuck Berry-like solos midway are electrifying and entertaining. ‘Texarkana To Panama City’ is another in that Perkins mode, kind of reminiscent of ‘Everybody’s Trying To Be My Baby’. Think George Harrison on guitar. ‘Funny Car Graveyard’ has more of a Stray Cats sound than any other song on the CD. The fact that Slim Jim Phantom is listed as co-writer may have something to do with that. Rocker plays a nice standup bass solo midway through, nice bass lines throughout the song as well. The album closes with a swing instrumental, called ‘Swing This’. Each member shines on this one.

Racin' The Devil is an exhilarating and rousing CD. Every song has personality and style of its own. Lee Rocker is an exceptional musician, songwriter, and vocalist. The guitar playing of Dale and Campbell, as well as their tone, both rhythmically and when soloing, is incredible. Both are brilliant roots rock guitarists, and their interchanging arrangements on every track are creative and extremely listenable. Lovers of guitar music in general, as well as those of the rockabilly and American roots rock sound, will find the CD enjoyable. Play it at your next backyard barbecue. Everyone will love it.

Primarily a blues label, it’s undoubtedly a change for Alligator Records. As with good blues, I suppose, one just can’t look away from tasteful American roots rock.

Racin’ The Devil Track Listing
1. The Girl From Hell
2. Rock This Town
3. The River Runs
4. Say When
5. Race Track Blues
6. Ramblin’
7. Runnin’ From The Hounds
8. Rockin’ Harder
9. Texarkana To Panama City
10. Lost On The Highway
11. Funny Car Graveyard
12. Swing This

Lee Rocker: bass and vocals
Buzz Campbell: guitar
Brophy Dale: guitar, slide, and vocals
Jimmy Sage: drums

Alligator Records 2006

Links
Buy Racin' The Devil
Lee Rocker
Alligator Records