The Starlight Drifters
Thirteen To Go
Rollin' Rock CD-112

I hadn't really heard much about this group before this CD came through the post, but I'm well and truly hooked now. It hit me behind the knees and my legs are still buckled. This ranks alongside Darrel Higham and Jack Baymoore as the very best in modern sounds. This isn't just a rockabilly album though, it incorporates various aspects of fifties rock 'n' roll, and is a joy throughout. The variety on offer make it Rollin' Rocks most complete album to date, and Ronnie Weiser will no doubt waste little time in getting the boys back to Vegas.

Despite their relative newness, this is their third release, with two previous outings on Dyna Records, Presenting. and Every Note A Pearl. They' ve also played shows with the likes of Sleepy LaBeef, BR5-49, Jason D. Williams, Robert Gordon, Link Wray, Wayne Hancock and were even selected by Jack Scott to back him. The band consists of Billy Mack Cowen on drums, Dave Roof on bass, Bill Alton on vocals and the multi talented Chris Casello on guitar and steel. Only five of the thirteen tracks are covers, with the eight originals coming from within the band.

The CD kicks off with a blistering Cold Fish, a dynamic rockabilly mover with a manic steel solo and some fun vocal work from the band. They also provide some fine Jordanairing on Telephone Call, a mid tempo commercial rocker with Alton proving himself a great singer and the lead guitar and steel licks blast out amid the oohs and aahs.

Two Bottles An Hour is a western swing mover in the Hank Thompson mould with trumpet and steel to the fore. They sound like BR5-49 at their best when they all croon the chorus and Alton again emphasises how much variety he has in them impressive tonsils - superb. The cover of Conway's Long Black Train is another fine mix of superb Alton vocals (even out hiccupping Charlie Feathers at the end!) and some glorious Memphis guitar from Casello. The rhythm section of Billy Mack and Roof are really tight throughout, and raise holy hell on this stormer.

The excellent We Can Make It sounds like a moody Shakin' Stevens hit record and is so different from most of the rockin' stuff being cut today. The same is true of their own Pretty Little Ring, which sounds like a cross between a Joe Meeks number and the Mavericks. There's more than a hint of Billy Fury in there and I'm sure Ral Donner's ghost was hovering around the studio that day. Confused - go buy the album and see what I mean!

Wolverton Mountain is taken as a piano led rocker which works well as does Jack Scott's I Never Felt Like This which follows the original closely. They pay tribute to the Sideburned Swiveller From Tupelo with a cracking version of I Want You, I Need You, I Love You.

Long Goner is a flat out, piano stomper with a Mickey Gee-like guitar solo and Six Pack To Go pays perfect homage the songs daddy, Hank Thompson. The band switch easily through the styles, and avoid the usual pitfalls such variety can often bring.

The last track, End Of The Road, starts off with Bill Alton sounding like Rodney Crowell, before building to a climax with a rousing gospel sound, jumping slap-bass galloping the CD to a close. It's track 13, which is unlucky, for all of us. If we were luckier we'd have another three or four songs to listen to. Buy it! This CD really is the ducks nuts and will hopefully do well for the boys and the label.