 |
Rather than write another one of my semi-long winded reviews, I'm just gonna come out with it: LINK WRAY IS THE MAN ! Mr. Wray left this world for a better one on November 5, 2005. His music lives on through his recordings and his many (and sometimes unknowing) musical disciples. When Link got hold of the right guitar riff (which was quite often, since he was a prime writer of monster guitar riffs himself), he rocked it like nobody's business, revealing an amazing, almost brutal intensity in his guitar playing. His style was bluesy, funky, and cool. I've been listening to Link Wray off and on for many years now; but it's been quite awhile since I sat down and listened to his work carefully. After this last round I realize that Link is the true father of riff oriented Hard Rock and Punk Rock. Listen to his tortured vocals, his bludgeoning power chords, and the crazed, strangled sounds he sometimes pulls from his guitars... including his skillful use of feedback. When Link laid these tracks down, other guitar players did not employ these sounds. He was WAY ahead of his time. This RUMBLE:BEST OF LINK WRAY CD release from Rhino Records is a killer collection and contains most of his best known instrumentals from the early to mid 60's, as well as some choice cuts from earlier and later periods; and I consider it indispensable. It would be a mistake, though, to think that the music on this CD (great as it is) is all Mr. Wray has to offer. I also recently acquired a CD release of his 1st LP, which is drawn from his work for Epic records (1958-1961). It's called LINK WRAY & THE WRAYMEN. Four of the tracks on that CD appear on RUMBLE:BEST OF; but the whole CD is strong. This earlier material isn't quite as intense or raucous as Link's later work. It's a bit more subtle and varied, but is still exciting. The only misstep on the whole affair is the cheesy and overdone HAMBONE. Lots of cool guitar tones from Link's Danelectro. I enjoy LW&TW as much as the Rhino BEST OF CD. His 70's recordings are very different; but interesting. Sort of laid back hippie-roots music. I also had LIVE IN '85 and LIVE AT THE PARADISO, which are very wild live recordings that hark back to his earlier intense style (he did his version of Steppenwolf's Born To Be Wild). Link also does a few Elvis Presley songs on LIVE IN '85 in a very emotional, affecting style. He also played beautiful Rock'n'roll/Rockabilly guitar on Robert Gordon's late 70's LPs. And there were more recordings as the years went by (unheard by me). Mr. Wray was a smokin' hot guitarist; and also an innovator. At times his playing makes me think of Jimi Hendrix. Yes, I just compared Link to one of the greatest guitarists who ever lived. Do you need to know more ?Read full review
rhino did it's research right. every track bites like a rabid dog (with the exception of "dixie doodle"). the cover of bluesmaster jimmy reed's "ain't that lovin you babe" blows away all the british invasion's groups attempts at putting american blues music "over the top"; the amplification of link's guitar with the harsh and snarling vocals (also by link) put the british boys to shame. the instrumental standards by themselves could be the soundtrack on any quinten tarentino or frank rodriguez movie, but even here rhino pulls out an astounding instrumental take on the blues titled "big city after dark". truely an american classic and richly derserving much more than the title of "father of the power chord"; the so called "rock and roll hall of fame" renders it's importance to that of triviality, by not having link wray in it's halls.Read full review
I had low expectations, it is surprisingly good.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Classic roots of rock n roll.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Exactly what I was looking for
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- Best Selling in CDs
Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- Save on CDs
Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- You may also like
