Jerry Lee Lewis is, without a doubt, one of the most influential voices in Rock'n'Roll. He never became a worldwide sex symbol like Elvis Presley, and he's never been the seminal songwriter and rock stylist that Chuck Berry is, but damn if he ain't the embodiment of the true spirit of rock'n'roll. Check out this import, released on the German label Bear Records in 1991, of two live shows-one from Birmingham, Alabama, 1964, and the other from Fort Worth, Texas, 1966-and tell me it's not a sonic document of the Holy Ghost and old Sleuth Foot himself battling it out in between the black and white keys of Jerry Lee's keyboard.

By the mid-60's, Lewis had left Sun Records, had endured a much publicized fall from grace, and hadn't had a hit in around 7 years. After being pushed off the rock charts by the British Invasion bands, he began to concentrate on crossing over to the country crowd. While the cuts from the Birmingham concert showcase more of Lewis' boogie woogie side, the Fort Worth show features more country tunes. But, even songs like "You Win Again," "Together Again," and "How's My Ex Treating You" have a bluesy swagger to them.

This album is worth hunting down, if for no other reason than to hear Lewis' incredibly powerful version of "Hi-Heel Sneakers" from the Birmingham gig. It's odd, considering the violence that was escalating around the civil rights struggle in that community at the time, to hear the racially mixed audience all clapping along and freaking out to this old blues tune. (Not too mention the high pitched screams emitted during the Chuck Berry covers Lewis performed.)

The sound of the recordings could be a bit better, but Lewis vocals are still clear and up front in the mix. It's also cool to hear the audience in the background yelling shit at Jerry Lee. These folks loved the guy, big time. He and the band perform like a bar band playing for a meal-they're hungry, and it shows.

The Live At The Star Club album (reissued by Rhino in the 90's), from a 1964 date in Germany, makes a great companion piece to this album, and may be a bit easier to find. Either album provides a veritable definition of the term "rock'n'roll." Fast, loose, and wild as all hell. Or, in other words, Jerry Lee Lewis.




Previous Vintage Spins:

The Beach Boys - Pet Sounds

Black Sabbath - Master Of Reality

Slayer - Reign In Blood