Customer Reviews

Sing Along with Los Straitjackets

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4 star:		(8)
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The Straitjackets have accumulated an allstar cast (everybody from Allison Moorer to the Trashmen) for what turnes out to be a pretty decent sing-a-long. I especially liked the strong vocals of Raul Malo from the Mavericks, who does the Los Bravos song "Black is Black. And Big Sandy, a very underrated singer, who contributes two tunes with "Tallahassee Lassie" and "Mother in Law", both sung Los Straitjackets style, in Spanish. Mexican singer El Vez also sings a Spanish version of Elvis's (who else?) "King Creole". This is actually a pretty darn good version that isn't as cheesy as it sounds. I don't know where they found 70's singer Mark Lindsay. But they dusted him off and put him in front of a microphone for a rousing version of "Treat Her Right". The chord lines from this song sounds exactly like the Kinks "You Really Got Me". Or is it the other way around?. Anyway, Lindsay is in fine form here both singing and playing the sax. A couple other favorites is the Reverend Horton Heat doing Roy Orbison's "Down The Line". And Mike Campbell from Tom Petty's Heartbreakers, who both sings and plays guitar on a very contagious version of "Bumble Bee". There's also a couple country songs thrown in for good measure from Allison Moorer & Lonesome Bob, who does Jessi Colter's "I Ain't The One". And ex X singer Exene Cervenka tries out some country chops on "I'll Go Down Swinging". There's a little of everything for everybody here. But it's all mainly oldies from the 60's and 70's. I don't know how much this will appeal to the younger generation, but these songs bring back good memories for an old sod like me who grew up with this stuff. It's also a nice detour from a group who knows how to play surf music with a twist better than any band I know. Clocking in at just 34 minutes, this is a little short in these days of 80 minute CD's. But the performances here are all first rate with every singer here giving it their best shot. Besides that, there may not be a better backing band around than Los Straitjackets. A good listen!

This isn't a great album, just a barrel of fun. Make that 2 barrels. Nearly all the songs are recognizable to even the most casual listener of rock & roll of a certain vintage. Los Straitjackets are a band of top-flight musicians out of Nashville who apparently always wear hooded masks, appearing like villainous Mexican wrestlers, speak Spanish and play frantic, kick-[butt], high-quality, surf-guitar, garage rock. They have had a number of albums but this is the first we've run across. Normally a strictly instrumental band, here they have engaged a bunch of first-rate front men and women to sing these classic- rock ditties. The result is a party in a jewel box. The next time your kid puts on a Slipknot CD, blow him out of the ring with your own band of masked marauders.

All the cuts on this CD really rock, but the piece that really stands out is Mark Lindsay's version of "Treat Her Right." Those who know Lindsay's voice expect no less. This cover of "Treat Her Right" puts the original to shame. And, contrary to the prior review and as evidenced on this CD, Lindsay never has to be "dusted off." He's always touring and is better than ever. Those who remember all his great work as a 70s solo artist and as former frontman for Paul Revere and the Raiders, can check out Lindsay's web site for tour information and career updates.

The spirit and drive of 50's and 60's Rock in Roll (and just a dash of country) pervades this disc, which seems to be sort of a 'car tape' compilation of Straitjackets' faves from Rock-n-Roll past as sung by various artists they like(and like them). The title is mostly accurate, although there are actually two instrumentals on "Sing Along With..." Three of the other eleven songs are in Spanish, which seems fitting given the all-Spanish stage banter provided by guitarist Danny Amis in Straitjackets live shows. Big Sandy (who is the only artist here to have previously released anything with Los Straitjackets as his backing band--a 7-inch single on Spinout records) does two songs; rollicking Spanish language versions of "Tallahassee Lassie" (Freddy "Boom Boom" Cannon) and "Mother-In-Law" (Ernie K. Doe). El Vez, the Mexican answer to 'The King', checks in with his Spanish language version of Elvis's "King Creole"--a song he's already recorded on his own, I believe.

Elsewhere, there are accurate and inspired versions of other (primarly 60's) rock songs. "Black Is Black" (Los Bravos) is ably belted by the Mavericks' honey-voiced Raul Malo. "Bumble Bee" is sung by the normally silent Mike Campbell, who oddly enough, sounds a bit like the singer in his primary band, Tom Petty.(Not sure of original artist on "Bumble Bee" , although I have the Searchers doing a version on a collection of theirs.) Dave Alvin(ex-Blasters, ex-X) adds his deep baritone to a tuned-down version of "California Sun" (Rivieras), and the right Reverend Horton Heat hits the high notes on the shufflin' "Down The Line" (Roy Orbison). Mark Lindsey of Paul Revere and the Raiders delivers a one-part-Roy-Head-mixed-with-two-parts-Kinks (circa "You Really Got Me") version of "Treat Her Right".

Women contribute to one duet and two other songs--a saucy "I'll Go Down Swinging"(Porter Wagoner)is warbled in her usual slightly tipsy style by ex-X frontwoman Exene, and a dead-on version of the weeper "The End Of The World" (Skeeter Davis), complete with strings, is turned in by Leigh Nash.

Nick Lowe plays lead bass on his own instrumental tune called "Shake That Rat", a B-Side he recorded circa 1976, and the Trashmen add instro madness and occasional "Surfin' Bird"-style shouts of the title (ala the Straitjacket's song "Caveman") to a three-chord bash called "A Huevo". Los Straitjackets' backing on all of this is skilled without resorting to either note-for-note duplication or blueprint-trashing reconstruction of the originals.

If you like 50's/60's Rock, you're going to love this disc. unfortunately at 34+ minutes, it's over way too soon! If you were looking for the masked ones to fill a disc with hardcore punk sounds, guest rap/metal artists or ambient/trance grooves...sorry, this is not gonna cut it for you--- but if turnin' it up, singin' along and rockin' your life away is more your style--this disc is what you need!

Okay, so I read where Los Straitjackets were going inject some vocals (by various guest stars) into their newest CD. I'll admit that I was a little apprehensive, as I'm a big fan of their instrumental CD's. However, one play through the tracks brought a smile to my face. A second play got me totally hooked. Now I can't get the CD out of my player. If you liked sixties rock with some "kick" in it, I think you'll love this album. Every track on it is enjoyable. This is the first time I recall Straitjacket guitars and amps having a much-welcomed "growl" on certain tracks. I'll admit that I have some favorites: Big Sandy singing an inspired Spanish version of "Tallahassee Lassie", Reverend Horton Heat smokin' on "Down the Line", and Dave Alvin on a Johnny Cash-low-voiced version of "California Sun". But if any of Los Straitjackets are reading this, then please, PLEASE get with Exene Cervenka and make a whole album of songs like "I'll Go Down Swinging". Hard to imagine that this old country standard, written by Bill Anderson, could be reworked into ...kicking rock and roll. Every time this comes on I have to roll down my windows and crank the system up to 10. Just a fantastic song, and a great album. Los Straitjackets have come through with another winner!!!!

With so many vocal hits of the 60s and 70s begging for covers, what's an instrumental band to do? Los Straitjackets, the reigning Mexican wrestling masked mysterians of lyric-free music, called on friends to lend their voices. And their calls were answered enthusiastically by the likes of The Mavericks' Raul Malo, Paul Revere & The Raiders' Mark Lindsay, and Los Angelenos Big Sandy, Dave Alvin, and Exene Cervenka.

The album's top dance numbers include Malo's wrenching turn at Los Bravos' "Black is Black," Big Sandy's Spanish translation of Freddy Cannon's "Tallahassee Lassie," and Lindsay's Kinks and Chuck Berry fueled rendition of Roy Head's "Treat Her Right." Allison Moorer and Lonesome Bob sing a soulful groove on Jessi Colter's "I Ain't the One," and Sixpence None the Richer's Leigh Nash voices a tender, string-laden (and oddly apocalyptic) cover of Skeeter Davis' "The End of the World."

Nick Lowe's boss bass guitar serves as the lead for "Shake That Rat," and The Trashmen's fuzz-and-reverb "A Huevo" rounds out a fine LP fueled by the exuberance of Los Straitjackets' garage-surf-and-60s-discotheque sound. It's a backbeat extravaganza, sure to be a hit at your next party.

This is the instrumental group Los Straitjackets first album to feature vocals. They don't actually sing the songs, they recruited some guest stars to sing. The album features (mostly) vocal versions of (mostly) old rock songs from the '50s and '60s. The vocalists do a good job; especially Raul Malo on "Black Is Black", Mark Lindsay on "Treat Her Right", Exene Cervenka on "I'll Go Down Swinging" and Big Sandy on two songs. Of course, the musicianship of Los Straitjackets is impeccable, as usual. I should mention that two of the songs here are instrumentals; "Shake That Rat", on which guest Nick Lowe plays the melody on bass guitar, and "A Huevo", on which guest (one of) The Trashmen yells out the song title occasionally. I would recommend this album to fans of old fashioned, good time rock and roll.

The band is tight and there are a lot of very good songs in here.

Some highlights are:
Black Is Black with Raul Malo,
Dave Alvin's California Sun in his deep bass voice,
Two country classics:
A tender, surf-tinged version of Skeeter Davis' The End Of The World by Leigh Nash, and
Exene Cervenka rocking the Bill Anderson / Porter Wagoner classic, I'll Go Down Swinging.

Great for rockin' down the highway.

I have been a really large Los Straitjackets fan since I first heard them several years ago. I have been a fan of surf music much longer, but my love for it was rekindled by L.S.
Their instrumentals are nearly always right on the mark. But guest singers? Is the world ready for this? Can you dig it?
Exene Cervenka and L.S. singing down home honky tonk? L.S. and Dave Alvin ripping up "California Sun?" The Trashmen, the freakin' Trashmen? I thought they were frozen in an iceberg in Minnesota.
Raul Malo (the Mavericks), Reverend Horton Heat, Mark Lindsey, El Vez, etc. Where have they been hiding?
Not every track is a classic, but name one album that is. If you like a variety of music styles, a variety of singers, and a good old time, then grab this CD. You won't be disappointed.

I saw these guys at the release party for the new cd at the house of blues in anahiem, california. this cd is hot!! I love the music. it is a step in a new direction for this group, and with the help of Big Sandy and others, they have created another winner. You have got to see these guys live to really appreciate the musicianship and there great stage show. I will continue to seek out these guys when ever they play, and I will continue to support them with the purchase of there music. I really am up for these guys, and there new cd, Sing Along With Los Straightjackets. I can not wait to see them, and enjoy there music once again!!