River Reporter

The Music Scene/ Jan. 28 Feb. 3, 1999

Hail, hail, rock 'n' roll is alive and well

At some point last fall, I began to wonder whether rock 'n' roll was indeed, a dead issue. From the minute Elvis Presley burst onto the national scene in the mid-50's, naysayers predicted the demise of rock 'n' roll. This journalist was beginning to believe that day had finally come. That is, until a plethora of new releases reaffirmed by belief that rock 'n' roll (there is a difference between "rock" and "rock 'n' roll) is indeed, here to stay.

Dave Crimmen, Where He Left Off, Burning Tyger Records

Dave Crimmen is an enthusiastic West Coast rockabilly guitarist/singer who is an unabashed admirer of the classic Sun Records sound. One can only surmise that "He" is Elvis Presley, whom Crimmen idolizes. We're not talking about the bloated, jumpsuited, drug addicted Elvis, but the young, hip, 50's "hillbilly cat." Crimmen is no Elvis impersonator, but a viable contemporary artist who has brought the Sun sound into the 90's, with a high voltage approach, a fiery instrumental and vocal onslaught, and ten original rockers and ballads, all of which hit a musical home run. This is a great disc &endash; one that will jazz even the most jaded rock 'n' roller. Highly recommended. (Burning Tyger Music, P.0. Box 2213, Daly City, CA 94017, 650/589-5852)

-Bob Cianci