Come On Up And Rock With Me
Tower ST 5028
Produced By David Mallet
Arranged By David Mallet, Jim Horn and David Allen
1966
This gem can be found for purchase/download at the usual sites, so I won't be posting a sample here. At least one track can be found on YT.
The record comes with a 4 page insert with color cover art as seen in the second image. The insert copy is PR that covers West's career as written by Rory Guy, Associate Editor, CINEMA Magazine.
There seem to be plenty of copies floating around, including one I found on ebay today for about $5. I thought that this would be a popular "oddball" record on the blogs, but I didn't find any reviews on the first few pages of my search. And only one short review on Amazon.
I'm fond of "aging" stars who thought well enough of their talent to give "youth music" a try. Most of these "vanity albums", at the time they were released… would literally drive any kid who happened to have heard them crazy with laughter. Even the most well known pro vocalists, let alone Mae West, should have stayed far away from making "rock/pop" covers LPs.
However, "oddball" this recording was and still is… West somehow manages to deliver the "goods". The approach is engaging and almost "punk" at times. The fuzz guitar bridges help sell the sound.
A matter of "taste", as every piece of art is… you decide… But up here in The Atomic Attic… we had a good time listening to this one!
Treat Him Right
When A Man Loves A Woman
You Turn Me On
Shakin' All Over
If You Gotta Go
Lover Please Don't Fight
Day Tripper Nervous
Twist And Shout
Boom Boom
Mae Day
Mae West *was* a professional vocalist, and had been singing all of her life. She had a nice bluesy sound, and a surprisingly strong and vibrant voice for her age (72 at the time). One or two of the tracks on this album are misfires--- "Twist and Shout" is pitched way too high for her range, and is God-awful--- but for the most part she acquits herself well, and she had a genuine feeling for rock & roll. How could she not? She had a strong blues background, and was enthusiastically celebrating the sexual revolution of the time. True, she probably overdoes the Mae West "schtick" in nearly every song, but she still could sing, and knew what to do with this kind of music. I don't think any other older star in the 1960s could accomplish that as well. Best track: "When a Man Loves a Woman", which is as well-sung as anyone has ever done it. Best straight-out rock track: "Shaking All Over".
ReplyDelete