Ray Condo - Real Gone

SOME OF MY FAVOURITE RAY CONDO LIVE TRACKS FROM YOUTUBE RIPPED TO MP3 FILES.

RAY CONDO MAY 16 1950 - APRIL 15 2004

SHADOW MY BABY

Click here for a well written obituary on Ray by Carl Wilson

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Footsoldiers & Kings re-up

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When I first came across this little book at a record fair in south London as a teenage rockabilly I was completely drawn to the cover photo of Elvis slappin'  a double bass. It didn't get cooler than that in my opinion. I know with the Internet these photos are easy to find, but back in the late 1970's and early 1980's this kind of stuff was heaven sent. The best thing of all is the fact that I still have the book. The Kindle will never replace the feeling of actually turning a page, not in my lifetime anyway, but you never know.

Elvis Tribute

I'm seeing and enjoying listening to again many great Elvis numbers on both TV, radio and Facebook.

Here is my little tribute to the great man, via another cool dude.

Colin Winski was the rhythm guitarist and vocalist with Ray Campi's band the Rockabilly Rebels in the late 1970's and early 1980's. Hillbilly Cat was a fantastic tribute song to Elvis written by Colin Winski and Jerry Sikorski it came out on the Rollin' Rock L.P 'Born To Rock' in 1977. It's the only time I've really enjoyed a stereo recording I love hearing the piano and double bass running from one speaker to the other.

COLIN WINSKI - HILLBILLY CAT

Maryann and the Tri-Tones

I had a great time at this year’s Rockabilly Rave (18th), and met up with both old and new friends. I love soaking up the atmosphere of Rockabillyland, the music, the clothes, the cars and bikes and the smiles on people’s faces, it is infectious. The bands this year were (as usual) of a very high quality. But the stand-out band for me, the one that ticked all the boxes, the look, the sound, and the originality, were ‘Maryann and the Tri-Tones’. Here is a short history of the band;

 The demise of Estonia’s premier rock ‘n’ roll/rockabilly band ‘The Jumpin’ Wheels’ in 2006 left a void in the lives of guitarist Artur Skrõpnik and drummer Peeter Karo, as well as the double bass player/singer Garry (Igor Golovenko). They missed the excitement of performing the music they loved to enthusiastic crowds on the rockin’ scene. So, in 2007 this trio became the initial nucleus of the Tri-Tones, and after months of practising and refining their sound, they were ready to perform their own brand of vintage rock ‘n’ roll/rockabilly in the bars, clubs, and festivals of Europe.
In 2011 the band received a demo tape from singer/songwriter Mariann Lants. This was a chance not to be missed, so they started working together, and it was obvious to any listener that Mariann’s strong voice and The Tri-Tones excellent musicianship was a match made in heaven. If you add to that a set that is filled with way above average original material, such as ‘We’re Gonna Rock ‘n’ Roll Tonight’ and ‘If I Could I Would’. The cover versions of classic 1950’s songs are well-chosen, just take a listen to ‘Tongue Tied’ (sample below). Wanda Jackson would, I think, be proud of this version, a growling, purring, controlled vocal delivery that is complimented by slick guitar work and a more than capable rhythm section. As their popularity in Estonia grew, the local television stations came knocking on their door - check out their performances on Tallinna TV in 2012 on ‘YouTube’.
 Owing to personal reasons, Garry quit the music business in 2012. His replacement on double bass was Sven Valdmann. During 2012 and 2013 things were on the up for the band, and thankfully Mr. Jerry Chatabox came calling and booked them to appear at the 18th Rockabilly Rave in 2014. What an amazing performance we were treated to, the look and sound were perfect. I felt compelled to buy a copy of their new C.D. single (all original material). If this is a sampler of what the new album is going to sound like, then it is really something to look forward to.

The already recorded album 'Supersonic Gal' that was due for release in August has been put on hold. Lightning Recorders from Germany (Rockabilly is still internationally appreciated!) have, I believe, been in touch having seen their performance at the Rave, and a deal was struck to re-record the album at the studio in Berlin. Unfortunately, we'll have to wait a little longer before we can get our hands on a copy, estimated time of arrival is now November or December 2014. With all original songs to look forward to, the wait, I am sure, will be worth it.

TONGUE TIED

LONESOME MOON

Mariann Lants - vocals & rhythm guitar

Artur Skropnik - lead guitar

Peeter Karo - drums

Sven Valdmann - upright bass

Thanks to Garry (Igor Golovenko) - upright bass on 'Rock 'n' Roll Tonight', 'If I Could I Would' and 'Lonesome Moon'.

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Photograph by Jaana Süld
Mary Ann and the Tri-Tones on Facebook

Live at the Rockabilly Rave Volume 2

ROCKIN' BONNIE & THE GUT ROT SHOTS - JUKE BOX BLUES

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Betty McQuade - Tongue Tied

Growling vocal delivery with excellent guitar and saxophone breaks.

1941 - 2011

Born on 26th August 1941 in Paisley, Scotland. Betty’s family moved to Brisbane Australia in 1949. During her school years there was virtually no music scene in Brisbane so she regularly travelled to Sydney to enter talent quests. When she left school she took an office job in a manufacturing company. Wanting to pursue a singing and recording career she relocated to Melbourne in 1960. Her arrival couldn't have been planned any better as top local group The Thunderbirds were looking for a replacement vocalist for Judy Cannon who had recently quit to pursue a singing career in Sydney.

Betty's vocal style impressed the group and she began working with them on the local dance circuit. By mid-1961 her popularity had grown to the point where Astor Records signed her to a recording contract. Her debut single, a cover of American John D. Loudermilk's song ‘Midnight Bus’, was released and spent twelve weeks in the local charts, peaking at number six in December. This led to regular appearances on a number of television pop shows. She cut two unsuccessful singles for the Astor label prior to joining another popular local group, The Premiers.

Betty continued to perform at local dances and became one of the first artists to appear regularly on Channel O's television pop show The Go!! Show. After her fourth single for Astor also failed to chart she moved to the ‘GO!!’ Label in September 1965. Her only two singles for ‘GO!!’ were re-releases of her first two singles for Astor and sold only moderately. In 1967 she released her last single on the W&G label before moving back to Brisbane and calling it quits in 1968. An EP was released in 1981 and during the mid-Eighties she performed on a series of rock 'n' roll revival concerts staged in Melbourne.
Betty passed away on 26^th December 2011 after a long illness.  

Thanks to http://first-decade-of-rock.com/ for the above information.

No hit wonders - THE GREEN EYED CAT

JOHNNY DOLLAR RECORDED DEMO SESSIONS IN HOUSTON TEXAS IN 1957/1958.

NOT ONE OF THOSE  RECORDINGS WERE RELEASED AT THE TIME.

THE DEMO SESSIONS

1957/1958 DALLAS, TEXAS

SLIM JIM BABY

CAR COAT BABY

ACTION PACKED

MY GAL FRIDAY

THE GREEN EYED CAT

ROCKIN' BONES

DON'T BLAME IT ON ME

IT'S MY DAY

KEEP ME IN YOUR HEART

HONEY BEE LOVE

PLENTY LOVIN'

MY FIRST LOVE

DOLLY DOLLY

ROCK 'n' ROLL WAR DANCE

GOOFIN' AROUND

LIVE ON THE BIG D JAMBOREE 1958
GREAT BALLS OF FIRE
JAILHOUSE ROCK

1958 HOUSTON TEXAS

WALKING AWAY

NO MEMORIES

JOHNNY'S ONLY 50's 45 RECORD WAS A FAR CRY FROM HIS ROCKIN' DEMO SESSIONS HE PUT ON TAPE ONLY A FEW MONTHS BEFORE.

ACETATE RECORDED IN A MOTEL ROOM IN 1956?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVrGqG3w-cA

http://www.rockabillyhall.com/JohnnyDollar1.html

Elvis screen test!

I came across this excellent little video on the Internet. Crazy.

THE 18th ROCKABILLY RAVE

Download the programme

Thanks to RockCharlotte75 - blackeyedjoe - Volk - Mayhem Rockabilly - Kevin Carey - HotRodZip - Polly Escrader - Jorge Maestre - JohnnyDRetro - Rockabillifillyrenz - for the links to some excellent performances at this years Rockabilly Rave 18

THURSDAY NIGHT

(main ballroom evening)

THE DOEL BROTHERS

(video by blackeyedjoe)

THE SHOOTING STARS (my video)

JITTERY JACK (my video)

BIG SANDY & LOS STRAIGHTJACKETS
(video by blackeyedjoe)

THE TEX SPEED COMBO

This was my first time seeing this band live and I was not disappointed.

(video by RockCharlotte75)

FRIDAY

(Lunch time club sessions)

THE HI-TONES

(video by Mayhem Rockabilly)

SHAUN HORTON & THE TENNESSEE TRIO

(video by hotrodzip)

RICKY ROCKET & THE PHANTOMS

(video by Volk)

(main ballroom evening)

THE BARNSTOMPERS

(video by BlackEyedJoe)

RAMBLIN' JAMES (my video)

I have not found a Ramblin' James video from this years Rockabilly Rave on the net so far.  Here is one I did way back in 2004. Backed by The Fly-Rite Trio.

DEKE DICKERSON & THE ECCO FONICS

(video by blackeyedjoe)

DON CAVALLI

(video by Mayhem Rockabilly)

(Queen Vic Late Night Club)

JOHNNY FLAME & THE DRAGONS

(video by Polly Escrader)

SATURDAY

(Lunchtime Live Queen Vic)

LITTLE BOY ARNOLD

(video clip by RockCharlotte75)

MARY ANN and the TRI-TONES (my video)

I have a fondness for female fuelled rockabilly. Mary Ann has a cool style to her vocal delivery and her backing band 'The Tri-Tones' sure know how to compliment her. I wish I had filmed more. Check out their CD single (below)

JAMIE (BUBBA J) FAULKNER

(video by Volk)

(main ballroom evening)

GENE GAMBLER & THE SHUFFLERS

(video by RockCharlotte75)

JOE CLAY

(video by RockCharlotte75)

SID & BILLY KING

(video by blackeyedjoe)

SCOTTY BAKER

(video by Rockabillifillyrenz)

DAVE & DEKE

(video by blackeyedjoe)

CHARLIE HIGHTONE & THE ROCK-ITS

(video by Jorge Maestre)

(Queen Vic Late Night Club)

THE DEAD BONE RAMBLERS

(my video)

SUNDAY

(sick, sorry or sober session, Queen Vic)

JOHN LEWIS TRIO

(video by Kevin Carey)

(Lunch time club sessions)

MISSISSIPPI QUEEN

(video by RockCharlotte75)

THE STAR SHOOTERS

(video by Volk)

LEW PHILLIPS

(video by Volk)

(main ballroom evening)

LIL MO & THE UNHOLY FOUR

(video by JohnnyDRetro)

HANKS JALOPY DEMONS

(video by Mayhem Rockabilly)

CHARLIE THOMPSON

(video by RockCharlotte75)

Charlie puts country music/hillbilly on the back burner and gets back to what he is really great at...Rockabilly.

THE RIMSHOTS

(video by RockCharlotte75)

(Queen Vic Late Night Club)

DOGHOUSE SAM & THE MAGNATONES

(video by RockCharlotte75)

This was a nice surprise and a very good band to end four days of great music. Doghouse Sam and the Magnatones hail from Belgium and their music is the Blues. Not the fake 1960's kind this band is pure class. Check them out here...

BOBBY CASH

Bobby Cash would not have been out of place on the 1980 Revival Records L.P 'The Other Kings'. But problems with locating Bobby and getting permission to include it on the album never materialised. But an extended play E.P did turn up distributed by Gusto Records to be included with the album for a short period. I was lucky enough to pick up my copy of the 'The Other Kings' with the cool piece of vinyl included. He falls into the Elvis wanna-be category. The vocals are great but I've never been a fan of organ music on my Rock 'n' Roll records.

RUN FOOL RUN

(home made cover)

Label scans (reissue release) and MP3's rips included in the download. 'Only Make Believe' and 'Mona Lisa' MP3 rips found on the net.

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(For a short while Bobby Cash's vinyl E.P was available with this L.P)