Play Some Rock & Roll!

Mambo Sons | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 31, 2002)
• Original Release Date: October 31, 2002
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Orchard
• ASIN: B000075BG0
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #689,983 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Seasoned Mambo Sons' - Latest Release Rates 5 Stars, November 23, 2002

By 

Stan Slossberg (South Windsor, Connecticut, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Play Some Rock & Roll! (Audio CD)

For the uninformed, let's first come to an understanding, and that is that Mambo Sons play anything BUT Mambo - this is pure, hard-driving rock and roll of the highest caliber!

A lot can be said about their roots... sure, listeners are going to find those influences (Mott, T-Rex, Faces, Stones, Yardbirds, Humble Pie, The Byrds, and the Fab Four).... but the true appreciation for this release comes from listening to Tom Guerra (guitars), Scott Lawson (guitars and vocals), Jeff Keithline (bass) and Mike Hayden (drums). Like a well-oiled Rock Machine, these guys have been together for a long time, and the results are obvious to the listener. The esteemed Mr. Guerra is also a contributing writer to Vintage Guitar magazine.

There are NO imitations here - rather, this is a collection of tunes which draw about Mambo Sons' roots - and is evidenced (though sometimes disguised...sometimes blended) on every song. Sure, bits and pieces evoke sounds and memories of tunes gone by, with reverance and respect. And isn't that what music does? It brings about a feeling, an energy ~ but also creates inside the listener an association between the music and memories - some from the past ~ others being created as one listens. The power of "Play Some Rock and Roll" comes from the Mambo Sons ability to do exactly that.

As someone who has been in the studios in which this masterpiece was recorded, I can attest to the feeling of energy that permeates this CD. Fill that studio with the likes of Guerra, Lawson, Keithline and Hayden, and the net result is the extraordinary, full-force release, PLAY SOME ROCK AND ROLL!

Roots?? ...like I said - sure, they are quite important. Blending those roots into their own, unique sound: now that's musical maturity. The listener who traps himself into finding one lick that he might treat as an imitation doesn't understand how R&R has evolved over the years.

Having been fortunate enough to see them live, and even jam with them, makes me keep this release within reach at home and in the car. Without even listing the names of the tunes, you can discover the Rock Reverance yourself: Any signle note from Tom Guerra's guitar, from the 6 string to double-neck, is beyond comparison. And trying to compare Scott Lawson's voice with someone else?? ....sorry, but you'll find yourself saying "he sounds like...", but you come up short - he's in a class by himself. And the brillant Jeff Keithline and rock-solid Mike Hayden have played together for 25 years. The overall result is a tightness and brillance that shines like the brighest Rock and Roll star in the sky.

GET THIS CD!! PLAY IT LOUD! OPEN YOUR MIND! and Rock On, because this IS the REAL DEAL! Kudos, Mambo Sons!!! I can't wait for the PLAY SOME ROCK AND ROLL CD Release party set for January 10, 2002, at Sully's in West Hartford, CT. If you want a richer appreciation for them.

And if you haven't gotten it yet, Order This CD TODAY!

Keep on Rockin, Mambo Sons! A "5 STAR RATING", indeed!

...

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ROCK N ROLL: STILL ALIVE AND WELL, November 5, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Play Some Rock & Roll! (Audio CD)

DISEASE: Rock 'n Roll Depravation.

SYMPTOMS: Nausea, dizziness, cold sweats, and an intense urge to break the switch off your "Radio, Radio"

KNOWN CAUSES: Wimp music dominating the airwaves, predicated on the almighty $ and corporate greed, that worships "style over substance", and succumbs to ... formula songwriting. (the ... images of the latest "Boy band" or "pre-pube girl" with no clothing, currently zooming up the Pop charts) induces this dangerous affliction.

REMEDY: Like I did, immediately go get this CD, crank it up right away (Just like the old days) and drive your parents, wife and kids crazy!!! - thoughts of The FACES, MOTT, STONES, Humble Pie, The Nuge and Thin Lizzy immediately flood the memory gates. Derivative? - ... yeah...but by no means are the Mambo Sons a 70's nostalgia band. Just like the masters of yesteryear - they beg, borrow and steal from the best and mix it up to cook up their own wicked, steaming hot Mambo "Rock 'n Roll Gumbo".
"Play Some Rock and Roll"? You bet!!! - The writing is more mature, the music more diverse (elements of country, rock, soul and reggae adorn this LP) and the playing more inspired than on their critically acclaimed 1st one (which BTW featured 70's guitar icon Rick Derringer). In total: a better CD and a "big step up" to the "Major Leagues" (Where the "Mambo Sons" surely belong if there's any justice left in the world and if there happens to be any true "ROCK and ROLL" left up there these days!!!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Play Some Rock & Roll (Mambo Sons), July 30, 2003

By 

Robert Myron MacKinnon (Bahama Kin) (Torrington, Ct. USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Play Some Rock & Roll! (Audio CD)

Mambo Sons 2002 Release "Play Some Rock & Roll Just Sizzles With Major Talent & Music That Feeds The Soul The Real Deal Musical Food It Deserves. And Mambo Sons Tom Guerra, Mike Hayden, Jeff Keithline, & Scott Lawson Have Proven To Me That Mambo Sons Are A Force To Be Reconded With! I'll Recommend This Release To All My Friends & Musicians etc. Powerful Sheer Delicate & Solid. It Shimmers With Top Quality Production, Musicians & The Songs Are Simply Excellent. Hey Everyone Don't Miss Out On This One :Mambo Sons "Play Some Rock & Roll" Can Be Yours Too! Buy It Now!
Robert Myron MacKinnon (Bahama Kin)
"Connecticut Music Online" CMO1