Spread the word about the wildcat musicians!

FOR CHRISTSAKES, don't squirm; I'm not going to write about some limp-wrist Mickey Mouse Group who think they can play 1950's rock and roll music; this is about "Shakin' Stevens & the Sunsets."

But where the hell was it?  Let me see - The Classic, Piccadilly Circus?  No, that's the cosy little cinema where I saw "My Swedish Meatball" (X).  Jacey, Piccadilly?  Wrong again - that's where I copped "Danish Blue" (X).  Croydon Suite, yeh - that's the place.

It's been a long time since anything resembling a rock and roll band had a binge in the spacious and swank Top Rank Suite.  (It will be interesting to see if this change of pace will pay off and lend to further rock and roll entertainment on the Top Rank circuitry).  But judging by audience approval, the welcome mat should be out for Shakin' Stevens & the Sunsets henceforth on a further booking basis.

NEW

Shakin' Stevens & the Sunsets - Shaky Stevens, vocals; George Chick, bass; "Ace" Skudder, piano; Robert Llewellyn, drums; Carl Petersen, guitar; Mickey Gee, guitar; and Paul Dolan, sax are new to Waxie's World, but very familiar to rock and roll fans from clubs and college exposure throughout the country.

Paul Barrett's Penarth group gave the customers what they came to into hear - "That Is Rock & Roll," "Sea Cruise," and "Little Queenie" - as they started cooking, and crashed like bronc-busters from one song to another at non-stop pace with one of those how-can-you-go-wrong acts that is rehearsed to a fine "T".

They could do no wrong for the crowd, which roared at their hard, what-the-hell music, normally associated with Memphis groups of the Golden Era.  Shaky Stevens is the vigorous vendor of vocals, and every part of his handsome body, from his baby-blues to his old suede shoes, was employed to move sinuously and give female patrons the full hip-swivelling treatment - yeah, man!  His approach to songs of the '50s - "The Train Kept A-Rolling," "I Hear You Knocking," "Thirty Days" etc - was well executed with plenty of savvy that generated excitement and much mitting from the large-capacity audience.

Pianist "Ace" Skudder has the two-gun talent to brilliantly execute a multitude of flashfire ideas.  He is a natural whose ivory-spanking pumps forth with a solid consistency.  The lion's share of applause went to rock gladiator and sax blaster Paul Dolan.  (If you aren't into his brand of leaping music the best thing to do is sit indoors and listen to old records: you're over the bloody hill).  He's a phenomenal performer with a distinctive tone (like those other two Pied Piper tenormen of the rock 'n' roll scene, Fred Tillyer - Rock Of All Ages, and Harry Middleton - Rock & Roll Allstars) who held down the sweat stained a stage like giants.

Robert Llewellyn drummed deftly and gave out with a flying mallets performance loaded with promanship and skin-beating brilliance.  These, then, are the Sunsets.  Rock & Roll Casanovas who take their fun (smile) where they find it - if you want to believe their own sales chat.  O.K. Now go out and spread the word about these wildcat musicians.

BOOZE

I smiled, thinking; booze - where's my bloody rumcola?  I lifted the glass and poured a double down my throat.  Turning to the bronze-bodied barmaid I shouted, "Hey, Blondie.  Coupla large rumcolas - thanx, honey."  Then, digging my elbow into group manager Paul Barrett's drape-jacketed ribs, I winked and slapped his back as he went back to straining his eyes and lapping up an old copy of Exciting Strip-Tease - Photographs With Adult Appeal.  Too much!

Hey, gang - wait one jiff, will 'ya?  How would you like to try and win the new "I'm No JD". (CBS 52901) Yes, you nod.  Why not?  Now, get your ballpoint out, and when you've plonked down the answers, send 'em to Waxie's World (Shakin' Stevens Comp), Record Mirror, .... London.

YOUR CHANCE
TO WIN
A SHAKIN' STEVENS LP!

1. Shakin' Stevens & the Sunsets: what was the title of the LP they made for Parlophone?
2. Name the Pianist with the Sunsets before "Ace" Scudder?
3. Who produced the following Shakin' Stevens LPs?
(a) A Legend
(b) I'm No JD?
4. Shakin' Stevens & the Sunsets: the LP, A Legend was dedicated to several people.  Name at least 3 of those persons?
5. Who composed the following songs - Rock 'n' Roll Singer, Girl Please Stay, and I Fell Apart?

Eleven-thirty - so what?  Suddenly I remembered.  Waxie's World?  What about Waxie's World?  It came to me.  Waxie's World, copy by Monday morning.  I pulled myself up, holding on to the table, shouting at Paul's ear.  "Cheerio, pal.  See ya again."  I tried to say goodbye to the rest of the Sunsets at the bar, but they had their noses buried in large tankards of beer.....I'll see y'awl next go-round.

Max Needham
Record Mirror

www.forevershakin.co.uk