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During its time as one of the funniest and hip programs on television, The Drew Carey Show would stage some incredibly subversive music events. The one that was among the most enjoyable and surprising came - as many of the best moments on the show did - during the closing segments. In it, Joe Walsh and Little Richard played an incandescent version of Rocky Mountain Way. The two performers were figuratively within each others' body and soul; as they - to steal a line from Spinal Tap - took it to 11! I mention that event as a preamble to this review of Jerry Lee Lewis' Last Man Standing. The title is a bit of a word play. It has been 50 years since Lewis, Presley, Carl Perkins and Johnny Cash met at Sun Studio in Memphis and recorded a batch of material. The passing of his companions leaves only Jerry Lee and he has decided to explore some familiar ground in terms of material, but rather eclectic group of partners. This twenty-one song CD finds Lewis singing and playing with the likes of Bruce Springsteen, BB King, George Jones, Toby Keith and Kid Rock. The songs are often, though not always, by the guest artist and also cover a broad range of genres including blues, rhythm and blues, country and rock `n' roll. In all cases, the lead artists are backed by a strong rhythm section. For those who remember the Richard/Walsh duet or have it on the soundtrack CD, the transcendence of it was that the two performers complemented each other and gained from the synergy that exploded out of the performance. The same cannot always be found on each cut of this CD. Lewis is in amazingly good voice. Age and mileage have narrowed his vocal range a touch and the voice does exibit tremors here and there, but each song is delivered with all the arrogance of The Killer. At the same time, some of his partners do not deliver with similar commitment. There are cases where some very big name talent seem to be "mailing it in." The first two cuts - Rock and Roll with Jimmy Page and Before the Night is Over with BB King - find Jerry up front with the aforementioned partners all but invisible. My despair at the CD being a dog began to dissipate on track three where Springsteen and Leis deliver a chuggin' version of Pink Cadillac that had me riding shotgun with the two of them on the Ocean Avenue/Kingsley Avenue circuit in Asbury Park. Then, my hopes were dashed again as Mick Jagger and Ron wood joined Lewis on Evening Gown, a so-so performance where Wood's slide guitar and Jerry Lee's keyboard were offset by an embarrassing, mincing vocal by Sir Mick. A rebound comes with a rousing Travelin' Band as Lewis and John Fogarty seemed to thoroughly enjoy working the song. The erratic performances came to an end at the middle of the CD with string of strong performances with Merle Haggard, Kid Rock, Rod Stewart, George Jones, Willie Nelson and Toby Keith. The sinews that bound this collection of songs together was a raucous honky-tonk attitude which indicated perhaps where Lewis' comfort zone was at the time of recording. The CD remains strong through to the end by keeping to this roadhouse ambiance, most notably with Delaney Bramlett on Lost Highway and Buddy Guy on Hadacol Boogie. When Lewis et al play to their combined strengths, the CD is among the best for this year. The misses - especially in view of the weakness of the first two cuts - pull down the overall pleasure of the listening experience. There are eighteen solid performances heRead full review
According to recent biographies, for the last ten years or so Jerry Lee Lewis has been among the walking dead. In poor health from too many years of too much fun, Mr. Lewis hadn't contributed much musically since country went Hollywood and rock turned tech. I almost passed this one by. Most 'duets' CDs are almost painful to experience. Artists phoning in their lame contributions from across country on a ten minute break. Hell, sometimes the people are dead already and it's some computer geek matching poor past performances together in an a dark basement. So I was hoping for the best with Last Man Standing. From the first notes of Jimmy Page's burning intro to Zep's Rock & Roll, I knew I had made the right decision. What I didn't expect was that by the time I had listened to the entire CD, I may have just experienced Jerry Lee Lewis' finest album. Ever. The man is on it. His voice tells his age but it adds, not subtracts, to the songs. You know this dude has lived life and you believe what he says. And musically? He may be better than ever. His left hand hammers perfect beats and his right travels at the speed of light. He plays each song with a uniqueness that sometimes brings tears to your eyes. And the rock still moves the listener just as his first offerings from Sun. The contributing artists on this album sometimes sing but most often lend their song or stylings to Jerry as he makes each tune his own. BB King plays an awesome lead on Before The Night Is Over. Boss Springsteen lends him his Pink Cadillac. He may not get it back. This CD is solid. Twenty-one songs. The Killer Is Back!Read full review
You should enjoy this album if you liked Jerry Lee's authoritative, honky tonk blues piano hammering and assertive voice that gained him fame in the fifties. He hasn't lost it. I was very impressed by the strength of his voice and the arrangements. It's also one of the loudest CDs I own, and if I play it with others I either have to turn the sound down on Jerry Lee or turn it up for the other recordings. I agree with the sentiment that one has to be wary of these duet items, and the more sophisticated listener could find fault with several of the cuts where Jerry Lee's passion isn't matched. But overall this is a thoroughly entertaining and enjoyable album--you get your money's worth. If you grew up with The Killer and other rock 'n' roll Hall of Famers as I did, then you'll be glad to be still standing, too, (or sitting) to listen to a guy who can rekindle your youth. Some of the people joining him are Hall of Famers in their own right. Consider their participation a notable tribute to an originator.Read full review
Jerry just had to make this one, I guess. And who could turn him down? The chance to record with someone who blazed an early trail for all rockers, and who undoubtably helped those following his lead? I can't blame the guys who answered the call to sing with Jerry but the man himself, obviously in his autumn years, could have sung less and played more piano, and allowed his guests to take a greater share of the spot light. All in all, I found myself disappointed. It seems to be an aging ledgend's compliment to himself - and I felt that sad. You may find, as I did, that he and his friends had a better time making it than I did listening to it. This one is gathering dust in my collection, destined to make the next garage sale. If you want Jerry Lee Lewis, truly a great performer - my advice is to invest in any cd of his but this one.Read full review
Being a close friend to Jerry Lee for the last 24 years...i have been in hopes that he would jump back at least one more time to show the world that he still has what it takes to rock......He has done just that with the Last Man Standing album........this album truly shows that he still is the Master when it comes to piano boogie woogie........I just saw him live in concert in Vegas in october and got a chance to talk with him after the show for a few minutes and told him how proudI was for him on this album....It is really nice to see that he came back to kick some *** at least one more time...and thats what he did....You will NOT be disappointed with this album at all if you are Jerry Lee Lewis fan.........just go buy it...dont hesitate any longer to hear a true American Original...and truly the Last Major artist to be alive from the Sun Records era......dont miss out...Read full review
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