Texas Jamboree

Where He Left Off/Nov.-Dec. 1998

The title is in reference to Elvis, indicating that Crimmen is trying to carry on the tradition that the King would have done himself if he were alive. The CD starts off with "Take Me Baby," which borrows a riff from CCR's "Proud Mary." Right after that is "She Can't Stop Dancin'" which has a chance to become a barroom favorite. Most of the album sounds like a combination of Elvis' '68 Comeback, Elvis Hawaiian tour, and the Saturday Night Live house band. Since his last CD, Crimmen has been busy getting his songs played, mostly on TV shows and one track on the movie, "The Game." Crimmen is a good songwriter and he puts it down well, but some of the songs are a bit clicheed.

This album runs the full spectrum from slow ballads to high-energy rockers. I would have to say that the stand-out musician is Harry "The Skull" Mello who rolls the ivories very well, especially on "Rockabilly Rave" and "Go, Cat, Go." This CD does not fall squarely on the rockabilly side, but it does have the potential to do so. The standout track would have to be "Let It Rock" which has some Blasters influence in it, and it would definitely have all the feet dancing on the floor in any club! If you like good barroom rockin', then this CD is the one for you.

-Jason Shields

The Son of Sun/June '97

This album from the Bay Area cat, Dave Crimmen, who has been impressing everyone with his licks, is a good one.  It draws from many branches of the American music tree.  It touches all the good styles: early days of rockabilly, early rock and roll, and some modern-day performers doing the same thing.

"It's Got That Beat" has that beat, and it's a good, hard one to start off the CD.  "Baby Shake It Up" has that early rhythm and blues feel to it, a bit like Richards and a bit like Lewis.   With songs like "Somebody Else," it has more of a modern 80s sound, a bit like Charlie Sexton or Joe Ely.  "One Time More" has the incredible piano playing of Harry Mello.  He rolls the keys like the waves of the ocean roll the boats!

There is a great rhythm secion on this second release.  it has Leif Carlson on guitar, Sal D'Amato on drums, and Bill Shaffer on bass on most of the tracks, with Robin Sylvester on the remaining four.   The whole album is pretty good, but ot always focused on rockabilly.  He throws in some good R&B, and some good R&R to make a well-rounded circle.

Crimmen displays some great song writing, and even better singing on this release, but if the new 45 "Let It Rock" is any indication of what the next whole album will sound like, then take cover, because it's a hot one!  "Let It Rock" is a high-energy number and it is truly a dance floor filler!  The hot licks, and the flaming keys round this one off with a fiery ball.  It is backed by an instrumental called "Rockabilly Rave" that shows off once again the same great talents.I think many people would be happy to have this one in their collection; it is a good one to have in mind.

-Jason Shields