Customer Reviews

Wailers at the Castle

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a pretty important album by a pretty important band, without these guys the kingsmen would never have covered louie louie, the sonics would never have formed, and in fact there might not be any Northwest music scene at all... But the important thing is not how influential this album is but simply that it rocks very hard,and is an incredible amount of fun... the instrumentals are a fabulous reinterpretation of the memphis rock/soul sound and the guest vocals (particularly on 'I Idolize You') are fearsome... this is real pre beatles thud, scrape, stomp and roar rock and roll music, and demonstrates these high school white boys true love of black music... you should buy this album it's pretty much the definition of garage rock not in a 'let's try and copy the stones' sense but in a truly american 'let's rock out' sense... this is what the stones wished they sounded like on their first few albums...

Though primitive by today's recording standards, this is still an awesome and important album, recorded at the infamous Spanish Castle between Tacoma and Seattle so many years ago... yes the SAME Spanish Castle where Jimi Hendrix and many other played. I can't recall any early NW rock bands that did not include at least one of the songs on this album in their band's set list. It was these songs that influenced me to get active in the music business way back in '61 or '62.

I can't wait to hear the Wailers NEW album, "Cadillac to Mexico" in its entirety. I heard a few clips and it knocked my socks off! It is the Wailers' first album in over 30 years. Come on, Amazon... when is "Cadillac" to Mexico going to be offered?

Recorded in 1961, when the Wailers were just about the biggest band in the whole Pacific Northwest, this record captures Tacoma's favorite sons rockin' out at the Spanish Castle in Midway, Washington. Simply put, it's one of the best rock n roll records ever- the songs are piledriving R&B-influenced ravers with plenty of propulsive rhythms. The instrumentation is a heart-pumping storm of rattling drums, chugging basslines, greasy blues-tinged guitar lines, and smoldering saxophones. Classic instrumentals like "Wailers House Party" and "San Ho-Zay" just beg to b danced to, instantly bringing to mind images of an outta-hand frat party or deranged high school hop. "Tall Cool One" is a mercilessly groovy two-chord groover with some strutting rhythms and a delicious electric piano, while "Sac O' Woe" boasts a relentless drum attack and a swelling organ line. The vocal numbers are excellent as well- the band never had a constant vocalist, and this show features three different singers, each one of which performes two songs. Kent Morrill does a breathless version of "Dirty Robber" while the band keeps up the song's hyperkinetic pace, while his run through "You've Had Your Chance" is pure soul-blues attitude. Rockin' Robin Roberts positively smokes on the salivating grinder "Rosalie," and leads the band through a fiery version of "Since You've Been Gonr." Finally, there's Little Gail Harris, a bewitching girl-group shouter who makes sure that the slow-burning "All I Could Do Was Cry" really burns. Even better is her performance of "I Idolize You," which positively boils ever with raw, gritty, untamed sexuality. Norton's CD reissue of this classic album includes the studio recordings "Mary Ann" and "Louie Louie," which appeared on either side of what may be the group's most important single. Their pounding, propulsive take on the latter (which was, at the time, little more than an R&B obscurity) inspired countless other versions (including the Kingsman's imfamous rendition), turning the song into one of rock n roll's greatest standards. So, for any fan o real rock n roll, this'll be a welcome addition to your collection. Rock out!

I was there, I was 14 & 15 years old when we lived in Tacoma, and like every other teenager in Washington State, was in love with a girl I'd never seen, only heard . . Gail Harris! I feel sorry for all the millions of kids who didn't get to experience the raw, pure, original soul of The Wailers. There is no other "Louie Louie" like this one . . . the Kingsmen pale in comparison . . . no alto sax has ever sounded so sweet . . . I'm constantly playing track 16 . . . again, and again.

The Wailers were not a geographical known band that looked to be influenced, looked for an identity . . . THEY influenced, and they had identity . . . every kid in the Pacific Northwest spoke their name with reverence. What an Album. I'm SO glad to have it in CD format! The 60s and the Wailers . . what an era!

Ah, finally another well worn vinyl rocker from the early 60's brought into the digital age. I happened to go to college in the Pacific Northwest, and this album was one that got a lot of play. The digital transfer is very well done - the live recordings just didn't make it well to vinyl without a lot of distortion (and my fraternity brothers didn't help my copy any). There are some great moving sounds on this album.

One of the records that made me a rockin' fool for the rest of my life. A big influence on many of us local NW kids who wanted to play music. This record is a true milestone. Get it and play it loud.

Excellent 60s stuff. anyone from that era in the Pacific NW would enjoy the memories