Graham CHAPLOW | Napier, HB New Zealand | 09/26/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"The Kings of the Catnap are awake and well. This is road music for the 90s but with `tyre marks` from the 50s and 60s all over it. Imagine a magical musical Greyhound bus trip detoured off Route 66 thru Austin; Wolfman Jack as the driver; a flat tyre on Sth Congress right outside The Continental Club; going inside to ask directions....The Lerois are on stage...Garth Hudson on organ doing 'Someday' (track 5) - you think it's The Band.....then Toni Price joins in on harmony vocals on 'She's Got Everything' (track 6) - you check in for the night, worried about what you missed (tracks 1 to 4)...Ian McLagen (The Faces) is on piano, Stevie Ray's older brother on guitar with Casper & Co..Buck Owens on acoustic guitar....you never leave ! The bus rots in the Texas humidity. Before parallel importing me and my mates, turned on by the Beatles, the Rolling Stones and the Small Faces back in the 60s, stole original 50s rock vinyl from parties only half as good as this...this is the real McCoy - 13 tracks of swamp boogie destined to move your soul. Here comes the bus."
DO yourself a favor and get this CD!
James S Foster | Austin, TX USA | 07/18/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I'm home, feet up, sippin' a cold one, and listening to the first new album from the Leroi Brothers in many a moon. Life don't get much better than this. To those longtime fans who've wondered about the Lerois, don't fret: these guys are still rippin' it up in Austin with their one-of-a-kind country boogie swamp rock n' roll show. On this release, Steve Doerr and Casper Rawls have each penned some fine new songs and both play wonderful guitar. Combined with the driving rhythm section of drummer Mike Buck and bassist Pat Collins, the band grooves through 12 very cool tunes. "Kings of the Catnap" reaffirms the Leroi Brothers as an American musical treasure. Give it a spin and see if you don't agree. Now back to my drink and another listen."
You can't not like this album!
James S Foster | 09/29/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I heard the CD playing in a book store. Now, this ain't country, and it's not blues, and hardcore rock a definite nono. I'd put it in a brand new catagory of rockabillyblues. You can dance to it. You can drive to it. You can work to it. It's just an amazing album! If you like music, get it!"
Real music played by and for real people!
James S Foster | 08/30/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This CD is as real as it gets, and there isn't a dog on it! The sad part is, you'll never get to hear any of it on commercial radio, because it's too good. Within the first 5 seconds, I knew I'd love this CD. It has that urgency, rawness and edge that is lacking in so much commercial music nowadays, but don't mistake that for being sloppy or unrefined. These guys are true veterens, and know what they're doing. They are total groove masters. If your head ain't waggin' and your feet ain't tappin' during a tune like "Route 88," you're either dead, or you must have a hole in your soul! This album is 100% pure country/swamp groove. Really glad I got it!!!"
Nice to hear a new release!
Graham CHAPLOW | 02/18/2002
(3 out of 5 stars)
"One of my favorite groups, I recommend new curious listeners to get "Open All Night", "Forget About The Danger" EP, or "Check This Action"...back when they absolutely took a back-seat to no other rockabilly/roots rock group.This long awaited CD is fun, but lacks the kick & rock-your-socks off that I was expecting. Still excellent, but nothing really stood out to me."