The Morells
The Morells (self titled)
(Slewfoot Records SF 802)
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This Springfield, MO quartet plays fat guitar, slap bass, small kit drums and keys like nobody's business. The last time they recorded an album was in 1982. This reunion recording may have been planned as just a romp, but it stands as one of the best roots discs of 2001. From the rockin' opener, Ronnie Self's "Rock Bottom" (ala Brian Setzer) to the closing cover of Roy Buchanan's "Roy's Blues," they pay homage to their heroes, or at least to their record collections. There's nothing here that isn't just amazing. Ben Vaughan's "Seven Days Without Love" ("makes one weak"), the party stomp of "Last Nite I Spent My Money," Lou Whitney's "Don't Let Your Baby Buy A Car," replete with twangy guitars, Joe Terry's NRBQ-ish "Mom's Got A Headache," the rockabilly burner "Gimme, Gimme, Gimme" and a wonderful cover of the Coasters' "I'm A Hog For You Baby" that sounds like an Everly Brothers' outtake. Bassist Lou Whitney produced the first Del Lords album, keyboardist Joe Terry also plays with Dave Alvin's band, drummer Ron Gremp plays with the Ozark Mountain Daredevils, and guitarist D. Clinton Thompson has worked with a slew of folks from Jonathan Richman to Syd Straw. In the perfect Universe we all envision, where spandex girls and foul-mouthed boys are booted off the radio, the Morells would be recognized as one of the best bands in the land. Web: www.themorrells.com

Hadacol
All In Your Head
(Slewfoot SF 805)
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Hadacol was an elixir that sponsored a Hank Williams radio show in the late 1940s. Hank may be a hero, but there are few conspicuous references to the country legend in the Kansas City, MO quartet's music. The songwriting here is exceptional, the playing nearly as impressive. The 200- mph version of "Little Sadie" is sort of like Bad Livers doing Doc Watson. And if the twangy "Gerald Ford" doesn't put a smile on your face it's time to turn your boots back in at the counter. This is "alternative country" at it's best. Fred Wickham's vocals are reminiscent at times of Michael Stipes' and there are shades of early REM and even John Prine in the mix.

The Sprague Brothers
Forever and a Day
(HMG/Hightone HMG 3012)
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This one ranks as one of my favorite albums of last couple of years. The playing, singing and songwriting are all beyond amazing. It's said that they have a 1000 compositions just waiting for an album. What's most impressive about the music that guitarist Frank Sprague and his drumming brother Chris make is that it's all original. Surely these are dusty old 1950s and '60 relics, you say? Those collected for this gem are pretty cool. "Money Makes The Man" reminds of the Lonesome Strangers (a great alt country band that recorded for Hightone in the 1980s), "Remember, Forget, Remember, Forget" sounds like a Beach Boys outtake and "Lucy" sounds like the Everly Brothers -- and those are just the first three cuts from this 18-tune masterpiece. There are surf tunes, gorgeous ballads, British Invasion and the occasional shades of Buddy Holly, reportedly a distant cousin. Oh yeah, they also play all the music on the disc.

Deke Dickerson and the Ecco-Fonics
Rhythm, Rhyme And Truth
(HMG 3013)
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The Ecco-Fonics may be the best rockabilly/country boogie/western-swing/seminal rock and roll band on the planet. Guitarist/vocalist Dickerson is certainly the best picker this side of Junior Brown and a man who clearly has found his mission in life. Originals share space with rockers like Lee Dresser & the Wild Cats' "Beat Out My Love," the twangy "Have Blues Will Travel," the spectacular dance floor-sizzling take on Grandpa Jones' "Hello Blues," Skeets McDonald's steel guitar-driven "Don't Push Me Too Far," and Pee Wee Maddox's "I'm Lonesome," one of those high lonesome country cowboy numbers. The originals are more impressive. "Hot Rodder's Lament," featuring backing vocals from the Calvanes and grungy hot rod sounds, is the story of a car that costs too much to be the "sharpest ride in town," and "Heartbreaker of the Town" is a cross between Rick Nelson and Marty Robbins. "(If I Go To Heaven) Give Me a Brunette" is a hoot, but it's also a musical treat, sort of like the song that Bob Wills forgot to record. "Where To Aim" is your run-of-the-mill tune about the dilemma of do I shoot her or shoot myself, and "Wang Dang Dula" seems to be a lampoon of a whole buncha '50s rockers. Dickerson does indeed write some very clever tunes, and musically he kicks butt up and down the block. Next to the Derailers, this is about as good a place to begin that roots collection you've been thinking about cultivating as any.

This review is copyright © 2002 by Mark E. Gallo, and Blues On Stage at: www.mnblues.com, all rights reserved. Copy, duplication or download prohibited without written permission.
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