Customer Reviews

Play Some Rock & Roll!

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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!

...

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!!!

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

With their release of "Play Some Rock & Roll!" Mambo Sons show that the art of rock & roll is still alive and well. They have their own ideas but at the same time they respect tradition and that is very important. Tight band, great guitar work, beautiful vocal harmonies and interesting compositions make this CD very enjoyable.

The Mambo Sons new album is called "Play Some Rock and Roll" and that, in a nutshell, is exactly what these boys do. If Rock music is your particular bag then get this album. When was the last time you walked with an insolent swagger, an attitude of living life to the full, and a cheese eating grin plastered across your face? If that feeling was too long ago, get yourself some Mambo Sons.

So, what is special about this group of songs then? Well, 'Feel' would sum up in one word how these guys play, letting the music do the talking. Each song has its own definite character, whist retaining a Mambo groove that kicks you from one track to the next.

The band was formed in Connecticut by Tom Guerra (the Connecticut Connection is worn proudly on the sleeve of the Mambo Sons), who quickly teamed up with Scott Lawson to share the singing, guitar playing, and song writing in the band. The rhythm section is made up of the very busy bass of Jeff Keithline and the very tight drumming of Mike Hayden (no keyboards with Mambo Sons to fill out the sound, just crunching guitar licks).

Everyone who has ever played music, or even just bent an interested ear to a tune, has been influenced; Mambo Sons have obviously been listening to only the best in their formative years. If you like Humble Pie, the Faces, early AC/DC, with all the music given a twist of Connecticut, and believe quite rightly that every band should have a guitar player that sounds like Keith Richards, then it's a no-brainer that you instantly fall in love with this album - and with Mambo Sons. The dial is set on Classic Rock Music, something you can tap a foot to, or nod along with a mug of beer in your hand at the bar of Tahitian Queen on Beach Road during its famous Friday Afternoon Rock & Roll Happy Hour. Just ask the D.J., he will turn you onto Mambo Sons.

Every song is a little gem. The opener 'I Get Around Too Much' sets the tone right up front with its filthy opening guitar licks and good fun tongue in cheek lyrics as the band lock into that Mambo groove. 'River is Wide' is an absolute classic in the middle of the album; 'Rockaway' shows that the boys can slow it down and show their more tender side (even cowboys have feelings, you know); a lovely tribute to George Harrison with 'Our Time is Getting Closer'; Mott's own personnel favorite '79' with its gut wrenching guitar licks and snarling vocals, which must be show stopping when live; and 'Everything Was Mine' brings the album to a rousing conclusion.

Every song has its own, very strong melody, and the musicianship is flawless. The band's only playing whatever is necessary, but not needlessly cluttering things up with a hundred notes when ten will do perfectly. Thank you. With this back to basics approach in the arrangements the album comes across with a timeless feel. I cannot recommend this album enough to lovers of good old fashioned, no frills Rock & Roll. If it's head banging Nu-Metal that you are after, then you might be barking up the wrong tree with Mambo Sons, but if you just want to kick up some dirt and have a good time, I suggest you look no further. You can also have some fun listening out for all the name checks scattered about amongst the lyrics. `Mambo Sons Play Some Rock and Roll' would some up this review in seven words.

Pawed by Mott the Dog

A spendid offering from this American band...Bought the first cd because of I own everything that Rick Derringer has ever appeared on (even Air Supply!) and the Mambo SOns #1 didn't disappoint. However, Play Some Rock and Roll is a fantastic new album done totally by the band with no help from their friends. The results are a uniform, consistent and totally ROCKING effort. Good job mates!

-Ewen,
Manchester, U.K.

No wonder this thing was a top indie pick, it is about as honest and pure as rock and roll can get. I thought this was their best work until Racket of Three came out last month. My favorite tune is Rockaway and the first track, a lusty walk down the sleazy highway that is rock and roll. This album proves that guitar music is still alive and well to quote Johnny Winter.

I heard this bands' so-called dedication to George Harrison and find it sad that they have to steal his 'riff' to write a song about him!! While their intentions are good and probably heartfelt - they should leave it alone. If anything George would be angry that they are trying to make money on his old Beatle guitar sound! Perhaps that's why one can download their songs rather than having to buy them!