![THAT BE-BOP-A-LULA CAT, GENE VINCENT]( "THAT BE-BOP-A-LULA CAT, GENE VINCENT")
THAT BE-BOP-A-LULA CAT, GENE VINCENT
(Virginia Records 357-1)
Subtitled "Rare & Unreleased Recordings 1963 - '71" Virginia Records released this new gem on the verge of the 35th anniversary of Gene's death as a Limited Collectors Edition (only 500 copies pressed). Most of these tracks have been released before on vinyl LP, EP and singles. If you are a collector like me, you will probably have some (or many) of them stashed away in your vault, but Virginia Records has gone through great lenghts to restore and remaster these rare tracks. Keep in mind however, that most of 'em are still NOT CD quality by todays standards.
Some recordings have not been released before, like the rehearsal and concert in Lyon (France), tracks 3 to 12, and the live tracks from the Corral Club, tracks 28 and 29. I'm glad to see "Distant Drums" is included, which was previously only released on a 12-inch EP by Strange Fruit. This Jim Reeves cover is a very fine example of Gene's fantastic voice.
The CD is accompanied by a 16-page CD size booklet with all the info about the tracks and Gene's tourdates in the late 60s and early 70s. I leave you with the tracklisting and Press Release, which I think says it all. A last word of warning though, if you are not a Gene Vincent collector, or just starting, you are better off purchasing a "Greatest Hits" compilation. This CD contains only rare songs and interviews, recorded either live, in the studio or for radio shows, and the quality varies quite a bit.
This Collectors Item can be ordered directly from Trans Alpinus:
transalpinus1@yahoo.com
PRESS RELEASE
Gene Vincent. The name conjures up one of the most definitive images from the rock 'n' roll era: Gene looking upwards as if in a trance, his black gloved hands wrapped firmly around the mike, one knee bent and the cripled leg stretched. Dressed in black leathers, with a huge chain around his neck, singing 'Be Bop-A-Lula' with an otherworldliness that was both intimidating and enthralling at the same time.
To commemorate the 35th anniversary of his passing, Virginia Records is celebrating his legacy with this new release, titled 'Gene Vincent: That Be-Bop-A-Lula Cat!', which contains 78+ minutes of rare and unreleased recordings from his final years. Near the end, Gene was fighting a losing battle against his personal demons, and no doubt he realized that. One of the few things that remained a constant in those last years was his commitment to his music. In an interview recorded just weeks before his death, he told journalist David Simmons: "Now politically, business-wise, husband-wise, I might be a no-good son-of-a-gun, but there's one thing I can do - I know my music. Can't mess me up on it, baby. Try it!".
Highlights on 'That Be-Bop-A-Lula Cat!' include an unreleased rehearsal and concert in Lyon, France (09-28-67) as well as the never-before released songs 'Sunday Morning Coming Down' and 'Corrine, Corrina' from a June 1971 gig in California. He instills both songs with all the Gene Vincent characteristics, and 'Sunday Morning Coming Down' in particular is a moving performance. Much the same can be said about Gene's version of the Jim Reeves hit 'Distant Drums', an unrehearsed performance recorded less than a forthnight before his death.
"I'm a rock 'n' roller and I'll die a rock 'n' roller", Gene told Ronnie Weiser in '71, and perhaps that credo goes some way in explaining his continuing popularity. Unlike Elvis, he never went Hollywood, and unlike Jerry Lee, he never went country. He stuck to what he loved best - rock 'n' roll. He was one of the prototypes of the rock 'n' roll lifestyle, and was one of the first to pay the ultimate price, an early grave. Gene Vincent was one of the main inspirations behind the punk revolution, with bands like The Sex Pistols clearly being inspired by his fatalistic 'dying-for-the-art' attitude and lifestyle.
All 29 tracks on 'That Be-Bop-A Lula Cat!' were digitally remastered using the latest state-of-the-art technology, and even those tracks that have been released before now sound significantly better. The 16-page booklet contains a generous amount of unpublished photos and memorabilia, as well as detailed liner notes. Only 500 copies will be pressed, so 'That Be-Bop-A Lula Cat' is bound to become a true collectors item.
Track Listing:
Saturday Club BBC Radio Show, Playhouse Theatre, London (U.K.), November 25th, 1963:
1. She She Little Sheila
2. Susie Q
Rehearsal at Salle Rameau, Lyon (France), September 28th, 1967:
3. Bird Doggin'
4. Say Mama (excerpt)
5. Long Tall Sally (excerpt)
6. I'm Going Home
7. Hi-Lily Hi-Lo
Recorded during the September / October 1967 French tour:
8. Gene Vincent's message to his U.K. fans
Recorded live at Salle Rameau, Lyon (France), September 28th, 1967:
9. Say Mama
10. Long Tall Sally
11. I'm Going Home
12. Hi Lily Hi-Lo
Recorded on October 6th, 1967:
13. Bi-lingual interview for Radio Suisse Romande, Geneva, Switzerland
(The complete interview, including 'Hi-Lily Hi-Lo' from the October 6th, 1967 concert at the Salle de la Rйformation in Geneva, Switzerland.)
Demo Recordings, Salem, Oregon, May 14 & 15, 1969:
14. Rainyday Sunshine
15. (Looking For The) Green Grass
16. Mr. Love
17. Roll Over Beethoven
Dave Lee Travis BBC Radio Show, Maida Vale Studio 4, London (U.K.), November 16th, 1969:
18. Pistol Packin' Mama
19. Be Bop A-Lula
20. Say Mama
21. Rocky Road Blues
San Francisco State College Folk Festival (U.S.A.), September 25th, 1970:
22. Sunshine
23. I Heard That Lonesome Whistle
24. Woman Love
Top Gear BBC Radio Show, Playhouse Theatre, London (U.K.), January 25th, 1971:
25. The Day The World Turned Blue
All Our Yesterplays BBC Radio Show, Aeolian Hall 1 - Studio 2, London, February 3rd, 1971:
26. Baby Blue
Recorded live at the Corral Club, Topanga Canyon, Ca. (U.S.A), June 6th, 1971:
27. Sunday Morning Coming Down
28. Corrine, Corrina
Johnny Walker BBC Radio Show, Maida Vale Studio 4, London (U.K.), October 1st, 1971:
29. Distant Drums
Reviewed by The BlackCat, 2006
Press Release used with permission
http://www.rockabilly.nl/reviews/thatbebopalulacat.htm
