Suggested Rockabilly Tunes

[tele-martini]

Lately I've been practising rockabilly licks and having fun playing that style of music. I would like to put together a few rockabilly tunes to add to my reportoire. Would love some suggestions on classic rockabilly tunes to learn.
Thanks,
Gene

[djdeacon]

My fave is still "One Hand Loose" by Charlie Feathers. The Kingbees did a pretty darn good cover (as did the Stray Cats).

[djdeacon]

And from a guitar standpoint, you must get a Johnny Burnette compliation. And learn every note Paul Burlison plays.

[djdeacon]

And there's always this version of "Tear it Up", by English pioneers the Pirates.

[mrmanley]

"Rock This Town" by the Stray Cats
"Martini Time" by the Reverend Horton Heat
"Get Rhythm" by Johnny Cash

[Brian blaut]

One of my favorites is "Blue Days, Black Nights" , Buddy Holly.

You Can't go wrong with Gene Vincent tunes like "Race with the Devil". Cliff Gallup was amazing.

Eddie Cochran's stuff is really easy to play and is full of raw energy like "Twenty Flight Rock", "Somethin' Else" etc.

And of course, there's early Elvis. I really like both Sun Collection and the early RCA stuff. Check out the "Sun" album and "Elvis '56".

Ricky Nelson. Will there ever be a better guitar solo than James Burton's on "Believe What you Say"?

Everyone of these artists have a treasure trove of material. If you don't already, get some good anthologies of each.

And for the modern guys, I will never tire of Setzer and Deke Dickerson.

[Just-Jim]

"One Hand Loose" by Charlie Feathers. The Kingbees did a pretty darn good cover

djdeacon,
I have not hear this by the Kingbees. Could you tell me if it was a single or on an album? I would like to find that version.
Thanks!

I would like to add Ricky Nelson "stood up". Stray Cats have a nice cover as well.

[djdeacon]

Originally Posted by Just-Jim

djdeacon,
I have not hear this by the Kingbees. Could you tell me if it was a single or on an album? I would like to find that version.
Thanks!

I would like to add Ricky Nelson "stood up". Stray Cats have a nice cover as well.

Come to think of it, I've never seen it on an album, either. It was on a mixed tape my brother gave me back in the 80's. Whattaya want to bet it was actually Crazy Cavan or somebody?

[tele-martini]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I'll be looking to add some of these recordings to my collection and hopefully learning and commiting some songs to memory too.

mrmanley,
I've never heard that song "Martini Time" by the Reverend Horton Heat. I'll be looking for this recording considering my handle here at TDPRI.

[Flat357]

I personally enjoy Lee Rockers band , and also The paladins .

[ChazM]

I think it would be real important to get some Link Wray and Duane Eddy in there, too.

[djdeacon]

Absolutely. Link Wray's "Rumble" is a must. And try to find a copy of "Eddie's Blues" by Eddie Cochran.
A few more that just popped into my head:
"Waitin' in School" - Ricky Nelson (has a "cameo" in Pulp Fiction)
"Rockin' Around with Ollie Vee" - Buddy Holly
"Annie's Been Workin' on the MIdnight Shift" - Buddy Holly
"Matchbox", "Dixie Fried", "Boppin' the Blues" - Carl Perkins.
Speaking of Link Wray, get a copy of the first Robert Gordon solo album, just to hear him play Billy Lee Riley's "Flying Saucers Rock'n'Roll".

[ghosttour]

"Up Jumped The Devil" - Ronnie Dawson. SMOKES.

[tele-martini]

Last night I downloaded 13 songs drawn from the suggestions you guys gave me. Made a nice compilation disc but more importantly I can now plug in some of the classic rockabilly licks I've been getting down the last few weeks into actual songs.
Thanks Again,
Gene

[Just-Jim]

Come to think of it, I've never seen it on an album, either. It was on a mixed tape my brother gave me back in the 80's. Whattaya want to bet it was actually Crazy Cavan or somebody?

Definitely a thumbs up for the Kingbees though!!! One of my favorites.

[Tele Fan]

It's harder sounding rockabilly, but 5-0 Ford by Reverend Horton Heat is fairly easy and a lot of fun to play.

[Axis29]

Is there anything more classic than Mystery Train? I'm a big early Elvis fan, Scotty Moore blows me away! My baby Left Me is another of my all time favorites.

I've been working the rockabilly stuff on my iPod to death the last few months. trying (without great success0 to figure out how to improv rockabilly stuff...

So many great suggestions already to choose from!!

Reverend Heat is a great nod to modern stuff that borders on punk. He really gets me going. Setzers stuff is amazing and I love all of the stuff that's not orchestral... I like some of the big band swing type stuff, but it ain't really rockabilly to me, more like pre-billy.

Carl Perkins' version of Honey Don't is another simple classic, maybe you could take some of the licks you've been workin' on and work out a longer solo?

I need to go pluck on my gretsch a bit now....

[psychotelepathic]

Agree on Mystery Train and you can't beat Setzer's version...he takes it to a whole new level.

[Tiki]

Gotta do Mystery Train
Lee Rocker has a very cool medley of That's Alright Mama/Blue Moon Of Kentucky/Smokey And The Bandit
Anything by the Paladins

Rockabilly is fun to play, fun to listen to, and as a rule easy to sing. Start compiling CD's by Elvis, The Paladins, Brian Setzer, Lee Rocker, Eddie Cochran, Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash, Rev. Horton Heat, etc. You can Google "rockabilly" and get a wealth of info. There used to be a pretty cool Setzer forum but I'm not sure it still exists.

[Solcat]

Hot Rod Lincoln
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpHHV...eature=related

[fish78]

If you can find the Big Maybelle version of "Whole Lotta Shakin" you can see where Jerry Lee Lewis ...took his inspiration and if you do it her way, the song can also fit a Jump Blues set...lots of similarity in the two genres...well IMO anyway.

[tele-martini]

Originally Posted by Tiki

Gotta do Mystery Train
Lee Rocker has a very cool medley of That's Alright Mama/Blue Moon Of Kentucky/Smokey And The Bandit
Anything by the Paladins

Rockabilly is fun to play, fun to listen to, and as a rule easy to sing. Start compiling CD's by Elvis, The Paladins, Brian Setzer, Lee Rocker, Eddie Cochran, Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash, Rev. Horton Heat, etc. You can Google "rockabilly" and get a wealth of info. There used to be a pretty cool Setzer forum but I'm not sure it still exists.

Every time I see a video clip of Setzer I gain more respect for his abilities.

Originally Posted by psychotelepathic

Agree on Mystery Train and you can't beat Setzer's version...he takes it to a whole new level.

Mystery Train and That's Alright Mama I picked up off of instructional vids on youtube. I'm still working out my own extended solos for those tunes.

[Zebulon Bluze]

Any thing by Carl Perkins. One of my favorites is "Honey Don't."

[gatorfiend]

I know I'm late, but I'm new on here. I love Roy Orbison's GoGoGo. I have a record with a versioin of turn around(perkins) can't find tab, sucks because I figured out the intro lick. I started listening to rockabilly about 3 years ago love it. Check out the Hilbilly Hellcats if you like Rev. I actually like Chuck Hughes guitar more than Heath's/

[strat a various]

Maybe someone here knows who did "While You're Down There". Great Rock a Billy tune. Can't remember the original artist.

[51Esquire]

Bob Luman - All Night Long (James Burton guitar) 1957

[onenotetom]

Great suggestions by everyone. For early Rockabilly check out Johnny Horton. The guitar player was Grady Martin. Here is an example:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_vFy...eature=related

[telideli]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6Dar...eature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5UM0pvmRN3Q

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wAsDN...eature=related

[stax]

Originally Posted by onenotetom

Great suggestions by everyone. For early Rockabilly check out Johnny Horton. The guitar player was Grady Martin. Here is an example:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_vFy...eature=related

I joined a rockabilly band early this year and have immersed myself in the style; Grady Martin played on many classic early rockabilly tunes and is well worth checking out.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grady_Martin
It’s thought to be him playing on a lot of Johnny Burnette stuff and not Paul Burlison.
Stax

[BoogerRooger]

Originally Posted by djdeacon

And there's always this version of "Tear it Up", by English pioneers the Pirates.

I was beginning to think I was the only Mick Green fan on here! Glad the word's out in Canada!

[stax]

Originally Posted by BoogerRooger

I was beginning to think I was the only Mick Green fan on here! Glad the word's out in Canada!

Another big Mick Green fan here, also been lucky enough to support the Pirates on several occasions, not sure I’d have him down as a rockabilly guitarist though.
Stax

[djdeacon]

Originally Posted by BoogerRooger

I was beginning to think I was the only Mick Green fan on here! Glad the word's out in Canada!

That's funny, 'cos Brian ("sixtiesreject") and I joke about how every post we do seems to involve either Mick Green or Wilko Johnson!

[BoogerRooger]

Originally Posted by djdeacon

That's funny, 'cos Brian ("sixtiesreject") and I joke about how every post we do seems to involve either Mick Green or Wilko Johnson!

Sorry I missed that! I'm pretty new around here. Wilko and Mick Green are the players who made me first notice the unique tele sound and I've loved it ever since. Look forward to reading more of your posts!

[TelZilla]

I prefer the recorded version- it's about 2x as fast.

[bingy]

"Mystery Train"
"That's Alright Mama"
These, to me, are the seminal, quintessential and greatest ever.

[SnidelyWhiplash]

My vote would have to be Little Junior & the Blue Flames' " Love My Baby ".
It was the flip side of the original version of " Mystery Train ". Black rock-
abilly at it's very best.

[Tim Bowen]

I love Perkins, Duane Eddy, Burlinson, Sleepy LaBeef, Cliff Gallup and those guys, although I don't do a ton of straight up rockabilly per se. I do "That's All Right Mama" and "Mystery Train" back to back, with a little doghouse bass figure to segue between the two. I also do "Matchbox" with an old school feel.

I often use the basic vibe for original tunes, as well as for covers that are in no way associated with rockabilly music. For a great recorded example of the latter, check out Pete Anderson's arrangement of The Stones' "This Could Be The Last Time" from Dwight Yoakam's Under the Covers record - excellent!

Originally Posted by tele-martini

Mystery Train and That's Alright Mama I picked up off of instructional vids on youtube. I'm still working out my own extended solos for those tunes.

I learned "That's All Right" on the bandstand. I'd heard it, but had never worked through it. It was called, so I basically flew by the seat of my pants and started tossing out whatever Travis figures I thought would work. I went back after the fact and had a listen to Scotty's bits. Anymore, I go back and forth with approaches. It's certainly a great vehicle, and sometimes I'll play a couple of off-the-cuff choruses over the progression. Here lately though, I've been deferring to Scotty Moore's original break, as it's such a perfect little ride that almost requires no additional embellishments. "Mystery Train" is a tune that I've only started playing within the last year or so. That signature 'E' figure is so pervasive and key to the vibe that I can't find it within me to pull off of it long enough to take a ride, so I usually default to passing the torch to my partner for a nasty harp bit.

[jazztele]

Be-Bop-A-Lula