Feathers, C - Charlie Feathers - Live In London CD

Charlie Feathers
Live In London
Kamaric Music KAMCD 001
5018901000123

Tracks:
1.Intro
2.Folsom Prison blues
3.Peeping eyes
4.Tear it up
5.Too much alike
6.Gone gone gone
7.Everybody's lovin' my baby
8.Charlie chats to the audience
9.One hand loose
10.Tongue tied Jill
11.Will the circle be unbroken

An excellent gig, with Charlie ably backed up by The Firebirds and Bubba Feathers. A great atmosphere on this CD, and an insight into the mind of one of Rockabilly's true greats.
Charlie Feathers was the 'Tip Top Daddy'; the true rockabilly artist. He reminds his audience on this CD: 'I'm A Memphis Artist - Memphis Tennessee' and shortly after this live London performance, Memphis is where he died. He had been dogged by ill-health and apparently had already had three 'by-passes'. Internet tributes to Charlie mention: 'a phenomenal man and artist'; 'one of a kind'; a 'Rebel singer' with a'frenzied hiccup mannerism', an expressive blue-grass built voice'; a 'witness and participant in the birth of Rock'n' Roll'.
This album gives an all too brief insight to and resume of Charlie's talent, history and attitudes. It is a 'knockout', especially considering his poor state of health when it was recorded. He makes it clear that he never gave up on rockabilly and that big record companies like Warner Bros never gave him the credit or opportunities that he deserved. He recognised his own importance and didn't mind telling people. At one point on the CD he disowns Johnny Cash and Eivis for denying their true rockabilly roots. He says 'the Elvis I knew died in '55'. The band Eivis had at RCA could've been found anywhere but 'you couldn't get a Scotty or Bill nowhere'
This is a unique little album that presents a historic moment in Rock 'n' Roll history and gives a good idea of Charlie's vocal range and talent, ably supported by his son Bubba. He performs some of his classic original numbers. It is great rockabilly and the pace doesn't have to be breakneck to be good. My one and only reservation is that a bit of base distortion seems evident occasionally, probably a difficulty posed when recording live gigs; or was it just me? Charlie's characteristic vocal traits and mannerisms are all there; fantastic stuff, slap-back echo, bouncy, brilliant. Oh yes, and Radio Caroline's Dell Richardson ('Good Rockin' Tonite') pays tribute to Charlie with a brief introduction and spot-on closing comments: 'He's fantastic isn't he? . . . He is the King . . . the King of Rockabilly'. 'Nuff said..
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