Rating: **** (4 stars)
Title: The Bunch Rock On
Company: Carthage
Catalog: CPG-4424
Year: 1983
Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+
Comments: 1983 reissue
Available: 1
Price: $10.00
Former Fairport Convention alumis Trevor Lucas was apparently the brains behind this project. Following the break up of Fortheringay, Lucas focused his attention on production work. His original goal was to gather up a bunch of friends and test out the recording facilities at the newly built Manor Studios. What started out as a chore turned into a spirited set of classic rock tracks. While you've probably hear every one of the dozen songs hundreds of times before, outside of the original versions, its doubtful you've heard them performed with as much enthusiasm and such a sense of playfulness. We've seldom heard an album that sounds so much like a party. It's also interesting to hear these folkies show they could rock out with the best of the competition. Doubt that comment? Check out their roaring cover of "Willie and the Hand Jive"! Highlights include Richard Thompson's cover of "My Girl the Month of May", Sandy Denny's "Love's Made a Fool of You" and the beautiful Denny and Linda Peters duet on Buddy Holly's "When Will I Be Loved". Simply said, this is an album that's continually on our turntable (actually our CD player since we burned a copy).
"Rock On" track listing:
1.) Crazy Arms (Ralph Mooney - Chuck Seals) - 2:45
2.) That'll Be the Day (Buddy Holly - Petty - Allison) - 2:00
3.) Don't Be Cruel (Blackwell - Elvis Presley) - 2:55
4.) The Loco-Motion (Gerry Goddin - Carole King) - 2:57
5.) My Girl the Month of May (Dion De Mucci) - 2:08
6.) Love's Made a Fool of You (Holly - Montgomery) - 3:11
7.) Willie and the Hand Jive (Johnny Otis) - 3:35
8.) Jambalaya (On the Bayou) (Hank Williams) - 3:25
9.) When Will I Be Loved (Phil Everly) - 3:12
10.) Nadine (Chuck Berry) - 3:19
11.) Sweet Little Rock 'n' Roller (Chuck Berry) - 3:47
12.) Learning the Game (Buddy Holly) - 2:05
Released by A&M, original copies of the album included one-sided flexidisc with a bonus track, drummer Gerry Conway taking an enthusiastic stab at "Let There Be Drums".
The album was reissued by Carthage Records in the mid-'80s.