Crazy Cavan and The Rhythm Rockers with a classic rockin' re-release of their first album from 1977.
1.Get yourself a band 2.Stompin' shoes 3.Sweet baby Jean 4.Knock knock 5.Waitin' for my baby 6.Feelin' blue 7.That's what made me cry 8.Hey pretty baby 9.Sweet little pretty thing 10.Delores 11.Nobody else like you 12.Gonna leave this town 13.Get yourself a band (reprise)
Crazy Cavan and The Rhythm Rockers - Rockability
Oh Boy! This was a sensation when it first came out. It's CLASSIC Crazy Cavan stuff - track 2 is REALLY wild! Track 4 was a single, and probably the closest thing they got to a hit (it actually received daytime airplay!). Listen carefully to the fadeout - DJ Little Brian's still in there!!!! This was their first UK album release - their first album release was from Rockhouse Records in Holland. Yeah! Cavan's wearing that drape jacket that I always liked.... Rockability - arglwydd mawr!!!!!
Thursday, February 26, 1976: Crazy Cavan 'n' The Rhythm Rockers with faint, nervous smiles on their faces shuffle awkwardly into the Finsbury Park office of their manager, Lee Allan. They congregate in a small room on the first floor, which looks over the noon bustle of the Seven Sisters Road traffic. Today the band will sign their first major British recording contract with Charly Records. John Schroeder, their producer who previously worked with Status Quo, is already in the room. He's a quiet, softly spoken gentleman with collar length white hair, and he wears a leather suit. Bleary greetings are mumbled while the band push wooden chairs into a cluttered, tight semi-circle. Then they sit down and nervously wait for their Big Moment. Charly's Chief, Joop Visser, the guy who snatched up the British rights to Hank Mizell's 'Jungle Rock' from the King catalogue, places himself next to the group. On a desk is a thick pile of contracts. There's an air of nervous anticipation. Muffled Welsh voices idly pass the time of day. Feet scratch over the floorboards while fingers drum relentlessly on knees. Deliberate smiles of reassurance are passed between the band like comics in a dentist's waiting room. Then Lee scoops up the contracts and begins to explain the terms of the deal. 'I think they're the most dramatic band in the country' Joop proudly states. He'd seen them headlining at the Strand Lyceum, and on numerous other occasions in pubs and clubs throughout the country. He was impressed. Cavan Grogan is an evil looking dude with a strong, powerful vocal; Lyndon Needs, a fresh faced young fella, leg splits and slides all over the stage while snapping out dazzlingly effective lead licks; Terry Walley (rhythm), Don Kinsella (bass) and Mike Coffey (drums) quietly position themselves behind the two front men, firmly laying down steady rhythms. Their style is simple and direct, influenced by Rockabilly, Country and Rock 'n' Roll, but interpreted by the individual musicians to create a unique musical form which they describe as Crazy Rhythm. Joop has been known to bop at their gigs. Hopefully, John comments, I can bring out a lot more in them than has been found. The problem I have is to take this group, who're very good live with all the atmosphere and excitement, and transfer that into a studio and capture it on a record. And at the same time produce a commercial record that isn't offensive to their fans. Broaden their appeal without destroying what they are. One by one the band sign on the dotted line. Lee continually pacifying their last minute qualms. Pop! Pop! The bubbly's poured into waiting cups. The Welsh voices rise with cheerful relief. Photos are snapped. Hands shaken. Then somebody passes round a bowl of peanuts. Now that's got to be a joke, coz Crazy Cavan 'n' The Rhythm Rockers are on their way. Perhaps to the top? Wednesday, April 18, 1976: Two months later. After popping in and out of the studio while playing a full gig schedule the band are putting the finishing touches to this album down at Olympic Studios. They're pleased with their progress and crack open the beers to pass round as the rough mixes are blasted from the control room speakers. John Schroeder is proudly pleased. Friends and well wishers can't help but involuntarily tap their feet, wolfing down halves of brown and cheese 'n' pickle sandwiches. Joop is over the moon, drooling enthusiasm over the heads of his new signings. Embarrassed, they respond with detailed accounts of their recording sessions: How there's one or two uncharacteristic surprises in style, besides the development of their burly, energetic Crazy Rhythm. Everybody is delighted. I thought it was going to be good, Cavan says, because we had a good producer and a good studio. But I think the album's turned out better than I expected. So that's the story. Now all you have to do is snatch this record from the rack, run home, play it, and decide for yourself whether you consider it all worthwhile. I know I do. Original sleeve notes - Tony Stewart, New Musical Express
Crazy Cavan and The Rhythm Rockers with a classic rockin' re-release of their first album from 1977.