To my knowledge there remains only one group that fits the bill. As we enter the next millennium, the originators of Rock and Roll, "Bill Haley's Comets", continue to thrill audiences all over the world with their exhuberance, enthusiasm and sheer professionalism in providing us with 100% authentic 1950's Rock and Roll.
This is clearly evident on the guys latest CD "Still Rockin' Around The Clock". Because after all these years the music is still fresh, exciting and vibrant as ever. Time has certainly not dimmed the capabilities of this remarkable group of musicians. If you need any proof of the previous statement, take a listen to any of the tracks on this new CD and I defy anyone not to be impressed by the playing of Joey, Dick, Franny, Marshall, Johnny and Jacko.
The album kicks off with the immortal "Rock Around The Clock" with vocal provided by Englishman Jacko Buddin who has been singing with the Comets for the past decade. It can't have been easy for Jacko, having to step into the late Bill Haley's shoes, and perhaps his quirky vocal inflections and sometime disregard for the original lyrics have not always helped. However this CD features his best work to date. And this die-hard Bill Haley fan found himself really enjoying Jacko's singing on all of the Haley numbers particularly "Birth Of The Boogie" and "Mambo Rock". As for "Rock Around The Clock" all the elements of the song remain intact, from the traditional guitar solo, to the barnstorming sax chorus at the end of the number.
This new CD is crammed full of glorious re-creations of those mid-fifties classics, "Shake Rattle & Roll", "Rock-A-Beatin' Boogie", and "The Saints Rock & Roll", the latter being extended to include a brief Johnny Grande piano solo.
But what helps to make any new Comets recording so refreshing is the inclusion of unfamiliar material alongside the familiar Haley hits. In this case, sax supremo Joey D'ambrosio treats us to his version of "Hey Baba Reba" throwing in some cool scat singing for good measure. His sax playing talents are also showcased on the remarkable instrumental "Joe's Rockin" where he even indulges in some technical trickery to provide us with duelling saxes! Joey sings and blows his horn on one of the Comets newer numbers too, "The House Is Rockin". This song also allows Johnny Grande to get an all too rare chance in the spotlight to demonstrate his piano playing skills. Johnny is the longest serving member of the band, having first joined Bill Haley's group in 1949.
The irrepressible seventy-eight year old Franny Beecher, whose nimble fingers pick out the notes on his guitar like he was a teenager (albeit one with 50 years playing experience!), treats us to his self-penned "Goofin Around". A guitar instrumental that was originally one of the highlights of the Comets second movie "Don't Knock The Rock". Mr Beecher is also called upon to lend his vocal talents on the introduction to "See You Later Alligator", just the same way he did, back in 1956.
Dick Richards, who is more usually to be found sitting behind his drum kit, always relishes the opportunity to grab the microphone and on this occasion takes us back to 1956 with "Let's All Rock Together".
And what of that first hit from forty-eight years ago? The song "Rock The Joint" is brought out, dusted down and thoroughly shaken up with a new arrangement the band have been featuring in their recent live shows. You can just picture Marshall Lytle climbing up onto his double bass and encouraging the audience to "Tear down the mailbox and rip up the floor!". The close of the number now features a reprise of "Rock Around The Clock". And that, I think, is where we came in.
Any new recording by the Comets is a major event. But one as good as
this deserves special attention.
For it proves that the Original Kings of Rock & Roll
are still at the top of their game. So, accept no imitations, ask for the
original and still the best . . .
Bill Haley's Comets!
