Beschreibung
American neo-rockabilly
A great rockin‘ album from Wee Willie Harris. A legend of British Rock ’n‘ Roll, his gimmick was bright red hair and a jacket to match, but the music stands up on it’s own. 20 tracks of solid Rock ’n‘ Roll with a swingin‘ Big Beat!
Wee Willie Harris is best remembered as the fifties rocker who dyed his hair pink. He made a handful of belting rockers including the anthemic ‚Rocking at the Two II’s‘ and unlike most of the other Fifties rockers of the day, he embraced the whole ‚Teddy Boy‘ image. He was briefly heard of in the Sixties in Sweden. He’d dyed his hair platinum and got religion. And that, it seemed, was that.
1 Lollipop Mama
2 Riot In Cell Block No.9
3 Diggin‘ My Potatoes
4 Careless Love
5 Splish Splash
6 North To Alaska
7 South Of The Border
8 Lucille
9 I Hear You Knocking
10 Voodoo Woman
11 You Win Again
12 Rockin‘ At The Two I’s
13 Girl In The Wood
14 Wild Goose
15 Ghost Riders In The Sky
16 Rag Mop
17 Peggy Sue
18 Maybe Baby
19 Sea Cruise
20 No Rice No Peas No Coconut Oil
21 Wild One
22 Rock ’n‘ Roll Genie
The title of this CD is a ‚payback‘ to the late Ian Dury, who mentioned Wee Willie Harris in his hit song ‚Reasons to be cheerful‘. On this CD, Wee Willie Harris shows us all the facets of his talents as an entertainer. He even takes on some of Frankie Lane’s hits, and comes out on top! Here we find a potpourri of Rock’n’Roll songs that form the backbone of Wee Willie Harris’s stage show, and very creditable performances they are, too. However, the standout track here is ‚Lollipop mama‘. Just wait ‚til the DJ’s get hold of this one! It’s a great ‚jive‘ record, and Wee Willie Harris handles it perfectly. So – pop in your teeth, roll back the rug, and go for it! Rock’n’Roll Universe 2001
„The title of this CD is apparently a tribute to the late lan Dury who mentioned Wee Willie Harris in his hit song ‚Reasons To be Cheerful‘. It fits Willie’s personality and the CD content very well. There are twenty varied and variable tracks; many tongue-in-cheek – with Willie not taking himself or Rock’n’Roll too seriously. He has fun with Rock’n’Roll, as he always did. When there were Elvis Presley imitators or ancient pop singers pretending to be Rock’n’Rollers, Wee Willie Harris literally stood out from the rest. He dyed his hair bright pink, wore long gaudy ‚Teddy Boy‘ drape jackets, tight drainpipe trousers and a polka-dot bow tie. He was the Jester, the Rock’n’Roll clown with ‚heart‘ and big personality. He performed Rock’n’Roll with great energy and humour. Wee Willie Harris is still a ‚tourist attraction‘. He can turn any Rock’n’Roll show into a variety show with his impish personality. He is a colourful musical entertainer with a comic and a tender side, performing novelty cabaret songs as well as rock and blues classics or playing piano. This CD gives a flavour of the ‚Rock’n’Roll Genie’s‘ background in traditional jazz, skiffle, folk and blues from the London coffee bars, e.g., the 2 I’s Coffee Bar. I agree with Rock’n’Roll Universe 2001: … the standout track is ‚Lollipop Mama‘. But take note ‚Lucille, don’t you do that what you will‘!? Maggie’s Blue Suede News
Wee Willie Harris has been working solidly all along, touring the world and making a living from showbiz. However, his recording career has been sparse until now. This new CD on Fury showcases a talent that will surprise many, because Wee Willie Harris is more than just a ’shouter‘. He can sing a good Country tune, and moan the Blues with the best of ‚em, while knocking out a tune on the piano. In fact, Wee Willie Harris was playing the piano in clubs before Rock’n’roll arrived in England!
