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Nils Lofgren

JERRY LEE LEWIS: ROCK AND ROLL TIME

(VANGUARD RECORDS; 2014)

JerryLeeLewis.Cover_

Jerry Lee Lewis’ new record, ROCK AND ROLL TIME is… well, killer. That’s my opinion but, was I really surprised? Yes and no… he still has the goods, he is still full of fire and vigor but, he did just turn 79 this past September. Lewis is Rock and Roll’s first wild man and bad boy; that spirit still lives.

Jerry Lee Lewis (publicity photo)
Jerry Lee Lewis (publicity photo)

First things first: Co-producer (with Steve Bing) and great session drummer, Jim Keltner, has done a terrific job of letting the songs flow and putting the instruments – including the Killer’s piano playing – up front. Jerry Lee’s vocals are wonderfully aged and oozing with wicked fun. He does get some help on the record: Keith Richard and Ronnie Wood on “Little Queenie,” Neil Young and Ivan Neville on “Bright Lights, Big City,” Nils Lofgren and Robbie Robertson on “Folsom Prison Blues.” There’s a great Bob Dylan tune called “Stepchild,” with Doyle Bramhall II and Daniel Lanois; Derek Trucks plays on “Mississippi Kid” and Lewis, Bramhall and the band wail on Chuck Berry’s “The Promised Land,” which ends the album. The Killer also does a couple of Kris Kristofferson tunes.

Jerry Lee Lewis (photo credit STEVE ROBERTS)

ROCK AND ROLL TIME has great production, playing and a real sense of fun. However, make no mistake, this is the Killer’s album and, again, he sounds fresh and vital. In my opinion, this record is better than the last couple of duet albums (LAST MAN STANDING and MEAN OLD MAN). They were fine, but this is a real band effort, with a few of his friends and associates coming by to say “Hi” and jam with Jerry Lee. No one 79 years old should be making a rock ‘n’ roll album this vital and this much fun. The front cover shot shows the living legend standing in front of Memphis’ Sun Studios, where he made history with Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash and Carl Perkins lo, those many years ago. The Killer is throwing a rock ‘n’ toll party and we are all invited!