50 Years Of Rockin’ - The Jets

johnaalex

6 days ago3 min read

Released December 2024 on the Krypton label, KRYPCD217. See https://www.thejets.co.uk/

Reviewed December 2024.

The Jets are three English brothers, Bob Cotton (eldest - double bass and lead vocals), Ray Cotton (middle - lead guitar and lead/backing vocals) and Tony Cotton (youngest - drums and backing vocals) who started their incredible musical journey in 1974. I think I first saw them perform in 1976/7 and was blown away by the energy and ability. In 1978 I was lucky enough to produce their first single, Rockabilly Baby / James Dean for the Soho label. The boys moved on to bigger and better things when they signed to EMI Records and quickly established themselves as one of the best rock ‘n’ roll bands around for both their live shows and recorded output. In the early 1980s they had two charting singles, "Yes Tonight Josephine" and "Love Makes the World Go Round". The songs reached numbers 25 and 21 respectively on the UK Singles Chart.

Track by track Review 

1 Don’t Knock Upon My Door – Written and first recorded by one of the first British rock ‘n’ roll artists, Liverpool’s Ronald Wycherley (better known as Billy Fury). This is a great cover version that sets the standard for the rest of the album.

2 Sitting On Top Of The World – This version of Curtis Gordon’s popular bopper shows just how well the Jets can do rockabilly. Fine guitar picking and superb slap bass.

3 Cathys Clown – Only three tracks in and the versatility of the Cotton Brothers is obvious. From obscure rockabilly we move straight to a cover of one of the biggest hits for the Everly Brothers. This time it’s the harmonies of the Cotton Brothers that make this version of the song so good.

4 Heatwave – And now for something different! A rocking version of the Motown classic first released by Martha and the Vandellas that really works.

5 Sit Right Here – This blues track was written by R&B legend, Roscoe Gordon. This cover keeps the moody feel of Roscoe’s version. Great vocal and guitar playing.

6 My Pigeon’s Gone – The next stop on this magical mystery tour through musical genres is a version of a group vocal jiver. The Five Keys recoded it 1956 and this version sounds just as good nearly 70 years later.

7 Movie Star – The first of only three original songs on this album. A good rocker with a driving guitar and a great solo.

8 Pretty Pretty Baby ( Live ) – If you haven’t seen the Jets live yet and you’re wondering if they can perform as well on stage as in the studio then this cover of Gene Vincent’s recording should put your mind at rest.

9 Bye Bye Love – It must a “brothers thing”! Again, the Cottons do the Everlys in fine style and maybe that could be topic for a later album?

10 Perfect Love – Like track 7 this was written by Ray Cotton, this is a good jiver. The bells on it work well and shows a nice touch of originality.

11 In Love With You - Tony can also write as well as play and sing! I like the pared down production on this very danceable track.

12 Wildest Cat In Town – They say “imitation is the sincerest form of flattery” and here it shows the admiration and respect the Jets have for Crazy Cavan and the Rhythm Rockers, a band they shared the rocking scene with for so many years before the sad passing of Cavan in 2020. A fitting tribute.

13 You Alone? – A ballad from the pen of Tony Hatch and performed in that classic early 60s style.

14 Why Don't You? – It’s a rockabilly classic to close the album, a great version of the song Charlie Feathers had issued on the Kay label in 1958.

Summary 

These guys really are the “real deal” either live or recorded and irrespective of genre. This is an excellent selection of their work which is definitely worth getting your hands on.

Recommendation 

Buy it, and maybe it will prompt the band to bring out a box set covering their amazing career.

Links to Social Media https://youtu.be/OSmAgh6a_fA

Reviewed By Jailhouse John Alexander

Track List 

1 Don’t Knock Upon My Door (Billy Fury)

2 Sitting On Top Of The World (Gorden - Dee)

3 Cathys Clown (Don Everly)

4 Heatwave (Holland - Dozier - Holland)

5 Sit Right Here (Unknown)

6 My Pigeon’s Gone (J Davenport)

7 Movie Star (Ray Cotton)