CD Review: Roots ‘n’ Roll (Bill Culp)

Roots ‘n’ Roll
Bill Culp
Independent
2004
14 tracks

Bill Culp has created a quirky set of songs that’s not so much eclectic as erratic, swinging between classic Rockabilly and what is now called Americana or Roots Rock. There’s a sense that Culp hasn’t yet decided whether he wants to be Carl Perkins or John Mellenkamp. Given the rhythm-driven performances and consistently high quality on this release, I’m not sure it matters who Culp evolves into. The result is sure to promise a rockin’ good time.

The main focus here seems to be on Rockabilly music, and there’s where the best music is to be found. Often releases in this genre will focus on just one facet, one stylistic variant of this music. Coming from country and folk music, the blues, and Rhythm & Blues as well as drawing on native American and European influences, Rockabilly was in fact a rich and diverse musical style. Very influential in its time and since, this citified country music has often been under-rated. Culp presents a variety of Rockabilly styles with the respect and energy they deserve.

Mostly, Rock ‘n’ Roots presents music in the style made famous by artists like Buck Owens, George Jones, Carl Perkins, Conway Twitty, Marvin Rainwater, and others. It’s cowboy music with a touch of the blues and whole lot of soul and rhythm. Blended into his set, Culp includes sounds like Springsteen, Mellenkamp, Neil Diamond, and Rockabilly influenced artists like Keith Richard and even a bit of Meat Loaf.

“Two Left Feet” takes me back to the country side of Rockabilly music. This is the slow country rock of Jerry Lee Lewis songs like “Crazy Arms” as well as many songs by Conway Twitty, Buck Owens, and others, including Bill Haley and his Comets. In this music can be found the roots of contemporary country music. Many songs in this vein were recorded by female artists, including Patsy Cline and Wanda Jackson. In this arrangement, Mary DeKeyser is absolutely perfect, her vocals adding a soulful balance to Culp’s harder-edged, more bitter treatment.

Lieber and Stoller’s “One Bad Stud” is an interesting choice for this set. Rather than this obscure classic, most artists would choose to cover a better known song from the wide range available. In fact, this 1954 Honey Bears classic is perfect for this set. It’s great jumping jive that harks back to the beginnings of the rock and roll era.

“Last Hurtin’ Song” falls at the opposite end of the era. One advantage of growing up in Canada some forty years ago is that we got to hear the hits from both America and Britain. We never had a “British Invasion” in the sense the Americans did. The British stars had been here all along. A big star of the time was Cliff Richard, singing with and without the legendary instrumental band, the Shadows. This song definitely brings to mind the sound of Cliff Richard and the Shadows.

Dave Alvin’s retro-classic composition “Marie Marie” rocks out with flashbacks to Chuck Berry in his Cajun period. Recorded by The Blasters and a dozen other artists, this song pumps along like there’s no stopping it. Just try not dancing to this one.

“Full Time Fool” and “Your Sins Will Always Find You” are other up-tempo rockers designed to get you up and dancing.

It helps that Culp has managed to assemble a band of some of the finest musicians in Canada for these recordings. The lineup is more than simply impressive. It’s stellar.

Those who may be interested can find additional information about Bill Culp at his “Roots ‘n’Roll” website. There are short clips of three songs from this release on Bill Culp’s My Space page. [It's a shame that longer or even full-length clips are not included to give listeners a better feel for Culp's style.]

Here’s a little Fact Check. According to the liner notes, Bill Culp seems to think that songwriting legends Jerry Lieber and Mike Stoller (“One Bad Stud” on this CD) are Canadians. Not so. Lieber and Stoller (“Kansas City,” “Hound Dog,” “Charlie Brown,” “Stand by Me,” “Black Denim Trousers and Motorcycle Boots,” and many more.) are both Americans.

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