Quick Hit : Jeff Beck and the Big Town Playboys – Crazy Legs

Jeff Beck plays the first notes on the album and we’re in Gene Vincent territory. CB ate up the “Catmans” music so when Beck and the Big Town Playboys released this album I was all over it. I found out that the album was more of a nod to Vincent’s Blue Cap guitar player, Cliff Gallup. One of Beck’s heroes.

Beck and the Playboys go to town on this one. It’s a rockabilly, Gene Vincent, Cliff Gallup party. This is feel good, fun stuff. The band is feeling the ghosts from the source. They really have the Vincent sound down to a tee. I don’t like picking favorites but Gene was my favorite (Maybe Buddy and Jerry Lee also) from back when this music was scaring the shit out of people.

   

CB and a buddy were a two man Gene Vincent revival. We were up against punk, disco and other types of music that was popular at the time.. Listen to the ‘Catman’ cut and hear all that good stuff going on in that song. My buddy and me weren’t the only people digging Gene. We were in good company, Beck, The Stray Cats, Shakin Pyramids, Robert Gordon, Emelda May, Ian Dury among others.

Jeff is doing the same thing we are, except he’s not writing about the music he digs, he’s playing the music that moved him. Does Beck show off on this one? Yes he does but so would I if I could play like him. I think in his mind he’s saying “How’ m I doing Cliff?”. I think he would be impressed. This album didn’t stop me from listening to the originals but it has me dividing my time between the then and now. Great stuff from JB and The BTP

So slick the hair back (whatever is left for some of us) jump in or on your ride and take a trip with Beck, the Big Town Playboys, the Catman, Cliff and the devil.

Your head will start boppin, feet tappin and knees shaking.