Manos Wild
Red Hot N’ Rockin- Released through Velvet Records HMR label
Released September 2024
Reviewed 25th September 2024 by Rockin Rebel
Recorded at Manos Wild private Studio, Produced, mixed and edited by Manos Wild himself. Front man of the band Breathless and also records and releases solo material. Manos is a music guru that keeps on delivering some of the finest albums, singles and E.Ps. never failing to get the best sound whilst updating classic songs into his modern sound. This ten track cover album is sure to be an hit.
Members
Lead Guitar & Rhythm Guitar: Manos Wild
Electric Bass: Sonny Rand
Upright Bass: Laurence Cottle
Drums: Martin Kristofferson, Norman Garschke
Tenor Sax in "Opportunity” Sebastián López Bustos
Backing Vocals: The Mellow Kings
Track by track Review
Red Hot (Billy "The Kid" Emerson)
Just has the title suggest, but this track is red hot, originally a 1955 release by the author himself on the legendary Sun Studios down there in Memphis. Manos puts the heart and soul into this rendition with the heartbeat of rock n roll. A track that’s been done by everybody but never fails to be a smash on any Album or compilation releases.
Jumpin Jive (P Barrett / L. Needs)
Released in 1982 by Crazy Cavan and The Rhythm Rockers on the Big Beat Records label titled “Hey Teenager”. Mano keeps the musical score close to the original. A perfect vocal that even matches Cavens screeching screams between each verse. Really good cover version with the band totally on form
The Train Kept A' Rollin (Howie Kay / Lois Mann / Tiny Bradshaw)
First released on King records in 1951 for the artist Tiny Bradshaw, who co-wrote the track with Lois Mann, a pseudonym of King Records' owner Syd Nathan. But we all know hit from the great Johnny Burnette and the Rock and Roll Trio from 56. And now in 2024 by the Mano’s Wild who gives this a gritty vocal and again the screams and hick-up lyrics fit the track. once again close to the Burnette track, but if it’s not broke don’t fix it.
Rockin' Daddy (Sonny Fisher)
Brilliant intro with some slap bass and drums before being joined by the lead vocals of Mano. Great guitar during the musical break. You can clearly hear the enjoyment of the band whilst covering this great track from "The Wild Man from Texas," really enjoyed this track with its authenticity kept in tack.
Fancy Dan (James McClung)
One of the tracks that didn’t come to life until 1996/7 I believe on an EP release for the Norton records label. Its great to hear someone covering this now classic track. when comparing the original to this version, I believe that Mano’s version captures more of the sun label sound. I can just catch scotty Moore’s intro on “That’s Alright Mama” The slapstick bass really stands out on the version. Great vocals and a real treat for the Gene Summers fans. It’s a belter
High Class Baby (Ian Samwell)
Great vocals that actually sounds very close to cliff’s lip curling 1958 hit. The backing vocals provided by the Mellow Kings are just excellent. Everything just fits into place on the cover version, the band are as tight as the skin on the drums, perfect dancefloor filler.
Opportunity (E. Daniels / J. Akens)
Originally released way back in 1959 on the Silver Records Label as a double A-side promo. Then in 1960 on the same label but with Eddie Cochren on the flip side with Strollin Guitar. Mano has picked an obscure track with this one. Its great to hear a modern day take. faster than the original with a lot more of a Rockin backing. Nice backin vocals. really like the lead vocals from Mano. Don’t recall anybody else recording this track at all. Nice choice boys
I Like Love (Jack Clement)
When you talk about songwriters, producers, musician and even the odd song, you won’t be far from the legend that is Jack Clement. In my opinion he is the man that put shine into SUN records. An early recording by Mr Orbison in October of 1957 it was also Covered by Vince Taylor in December 1958. What I like about the bands covers is that they really catch the essence of the past. Elvis style vocals with hints of Vince Taylor and Eddie Cochren. They really dig deep and transport you back to the late 50s.
Lonesome Train (Milton Subotsky / Glen T Moore)
Another great track delivered with the bands own style added to create a unique cover version. Some great electric guitar riffs with drums and bass slapping away. Sung in a much lower key but still well performed. Its not an easy song to sing and the band really bring it home.
Turn My Back On You (Wilbur Wilberforce)
Giving his very own tribute to England’s top star Billy Fury. Taken from the famous and very desirable 1960 album The Sound of Fury. Well now it’s the sound of Mano’s Wild. Brilliant vocals that match the furys from start to finish. Backed by a more modern sound. Wonderful way to end the album.
Summary
What a great album, only 10 tracks, but well worth it when you hear the way they have been recorded. Obviously true rock n roll fans that intend to enjoy what they do and that comes across on this album. Also a few rarer covers and nicely refreshed back into our playlists. Great album with a great tribute to ten outstanding songs. Well done all involved.
Bio of Manos Wild
The Greek Rockabilly Singer / Songwriter Manos Wild is a founding member of the Greek Rockabilly band BREATHLESS since 2003.. He counts hundreds of live gigs with BREATHLESS inside Greece. He appeared numerous times on Greek TV and Radio while they released two pure rockabilly albums from the Greek label On Stage Records "FIRST TAKE" (2008) and "ADAM AND EVIL" (2017) . They performed with other great rockabilly acts from Europe (Sue Moreno, The Black Raven , Ronnie Nightingale & The Haydocks, Foggy Mountain Rockers and others) in several Festivals while their Three Elvis Presley Tribute concerts were smash hits in Greece plus one in Sofia, Bulgaria!
Manos Wild started his solo recording career in 2013 with the release of his first digital single "Rhythm Of Teddy Boy / Flip It Over" and so far he has released over 40 albums and 85 singles of Country, ballads, Swing , Gospel and of course Rockabilly plus 3 Christmas albums too! More than 200 songs are written by Manos himself ,while he also has recorded many covers in old songs too!
In 2022 he released RCK N ROLL DREAMER from the UK Raucous Records while he had 5 Top- 10 Hits in Australian Radio Show. He also reached #1 in worldwide Charts of the Mixcould Radio Shows in October 2022 in the "Rock N Roll Is Here to Stay" Show where the show played strictly Elvis Presley songs covered by Manos. In January 2023 he hits #2 (on Rock Charts) and #3 (in Country Charts) Worldwide in the same radio show with the presentation of his "TODAY" album.
In October 2023 the album "A SESSION FOR EVERYONE" was released from the German "Rebel Music Records" Label while new live appearances and projects are on the way!
So, stay tuned and Keep on Rockin'. The only question is ARE YOU STILL WILD?
Track listings
1. Red Hot -02:12
2. Jumpin' Jive- 02:50
3. The Train Kept - A' Rollin'- 02:18
4. Rockin' Daddy -02:05
5. Fancy Dan -03:08
6. High Class Baby -02:20
7 .Opportunity -02:24
8. I Like Love -02:43
9 Lonesome Train -02:08
10. Turn My Back On You- 02:26
Don’t forget to check out our website www.slapthatbass.online
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