Boss Guitar - Duane Eddy
Duane Eddy died on the last day of April this year. He is hailed as a legendary guitarist but while he was acknowledged as an influence by the likes of George Harrison, Brue Springsteen, the Beach Boys and Hank Marvin, it can't be denied that he sounds dated today, unlike his contemporary guitar pioneers such as Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, B.B King Chet Atkins or even Les Paul! Celebrated at the time for the distinctive "twang" of his guitar playing, it is ironic that this is the thing that now most dates it.
Eddy was "discovered" in 1957 by Lee Hazlewood, who subsequently produced his records, beginning with his first hit "Movin' 'n' Groovin'", followed by his most famous number "Rebel Rouser" which went Top Ten worldwide and was the second of 30 plus US hits for him from 1958 to '64. Most of these records are instrumental, but those that aren't generally feature the girl group backing singers, the Blossoms, under the pseudonym "the Rebelettes".
So there are a couple of Uncle Stylus favourites here: Lee Hazelwood (see https://www.unclestylus.com/single-post/2018/05/21/nancy-and-lee-week-no-1-ladybird and following posts) as well as Blossom member Darlene Love (see https://www.unclestylus.com/single-post/2017/12/25/girl-groups-no-9-darlene-love-christmas-baby-please-come-home and elsewhere).
Written by Eddy and Hazlewood, "Boss Guitar" is the best of the tracks that feature them all, with the bonus of a typically scorching sax solo by Steve Douglas, later to feature as part of the "Wrecking Crew" on the great Ronettes, Crystals and Darlene Love recordings. And Darlene herself ,as always, hitting the spot, especially in the closing bars.
Volume up, cracking drums too; hot doggerty, I've talked (or listened?) myself into it, it's great! Maybe not so dated after all, maybe cool retro, twang and all!
Listen to the boss guitar!.
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