Sleepy LaBeef - Bull's Night Out/Western Gold CD

Bull's Night Out/Western Gold songs The artist's first collaboration with composer/producer Jimmy Webb is a great record, even 35 years later, encompassing pop, rock, elements of classical music, and even pop-soul in a body of brilliant, bittersweet romantic songs by Webb, all presented in a consistently affecting and powerful vocal performance by Harris. Harris treaded onto Frank Sinatra territory here, and he did it with a voice not remotely as good or well trained as his, yet he pulled it off by sheer bravado and his ability as an actor, coupled with his vocal talents -- his performance was manly and vulnerable enough ...

Bull's Night Out/Western Gold buy CD music Sleepy LaBeef did not record for Sun Records in the '50s, but his reputation as a rockabilly artist might mislead a few buyers into thinking Flying Saucers Rock 'n' Roll is a collection of '50s rockabilly recordings. In reality, this 24-track anthology spans LaBeef's 1970-1979 tenure with Plantation and the reactivated Sun Records. The disc includes LaBeef's lone hit from this period, a cover of Frankie Miller's "Blackland Farmer" that inched onto the country charts in 1971. LaBeef's deep-voiced country efforts sound a bit like Dave Dudley, although, ironically, the resemblance is less pronounced on LaBeef's trucking song, "Asphalt Cowboy." The rockabilly cuts, taken from albums like 1977 Rockabilly and Down Home Rockabilly, don't attempt an "authentic" sound, but are nonetheless fun and rockin' performances that are thankfully untouched by dated production flourishes. All of these tracks are duplicated on Bear Family's six-disc box set Larger Than Life. ~ Greg Adams

Bull's Night Out/Western Gold album for sale ROCKABILLY BLUES consists of previously unreleased songs from his sessions for Rounder Records. Recorded between 1980 & 1996. Includes liner notes between Scott Billington. Digitally remastered by Laurie B. Flannery (Northeastern Digital, Southborough, Massachusetts. At the time of ROCKABILLY BLUES's release in 2001, Sleepy LaBeef was not only, at six foot seven, the tallest living Sun rockabilly star, but by far the best. LaBeef's music just keeps getting better and better as he ages. This collection of previously unreleased '80s Rounder recordings emphasizes his blues side, with definitive performances of Muddy Waters' "Mannish Boy" (uniquely suited to LaBeef's sonorous baritone), Jimmy Reed's "Bright Lights, Big City," and Sonny Boy Williamson's "Bottle Up and Go." Rock and country ringers include blistering versions of two Little Richard classics and a revival of "Make Room for the Blues" by rockabilly cult figure Skeets McDonald. This is roadhouse music of the highest order. Personnel includes: Sleepy LaBeef (vocals, guitar); Cliff Parker, Bobby Keyes, Duke Levine, E.J. Ouellette (guitar); Buddy Spicher (fiddle); Scott Billington (harmonica); Jo-El Sonnier (accordion); Earl Poole Ball, Harry Duncan, Dave Keyes (piano); Phil Breeding (acoustic bass); Henry Strzelecki, Paul Bryan, Russell Keyes (electric bass); Lisa Pankratz, Rick Nelson, D.J. Fontana (drums). Producers: Ken Irwin, Scott Billington, Jake Guralnick, Peter Guralnick. Compilation producer: Scott Billington. Engineers include: Jerry Shook, Paul Mufson, Bob Kempf. Personnel: Sleepy LaBeef (vocals, guitar); Duke Levine, E.J. Ouellette, Bobby Keyes, Cliff Parker (guitar); Buddy Spicher (fiddle); Scott Billington (harmonica); Jo-El Sonnier (accordion); Earl Poole Ball, Harry Duncan (piano); D.J. Fontana (drums). Audio Mixers: David Farrell ; Scott Billington; Bob Kempf. Liner Note Author: Scott Billington. Recording information: Blue Jay Recording Studio, Carlisle, MA (1980-1996); Courtlen Recording Studio, Hanson, MA (1980-1996); Dimension Sound Studios, Jamaica Plain, MA (1980-1996); Shook Shack, Nashville, TN (1980-1996). Photographer: Barry Berenson. Blister Pack