Review - Tommy Conwell and the Little Kings' "Sho' Gone Crazy"

Six From The Philly File by Jonathan Takiff
Daily News Staff Writer 
October 03, 1997 

Philadelphia-spawned artists rule the roost this week...

Burned badly by a major entertainment conglomerate that tried to reshape him as the next Bryan Adams, Philly blues rocker Tommy Conwell kissed the music business goodbye. He drove a cab for a spell, studied jazz guitar with local great Jimmy Bruno, then returned to college for an education degree and became an elementary school teacher. ("Here's my record review, Mister Conwell.") 

But in his spare time, Conwell is again making good time, retro rock 'n' boogie music - the bar-band-bashing brew that first got him noticed in this town in the '80s. And trust me, the spirit's still catching. 

Get a charge with the giddy "All God's Children Wanna Rock" and "Bad Haircut," the big beat rhythm and blues bopper "Get Down and Ride" and Chuck Berry-ish guitar blaster "Betty Jean" You'll also find a pretty cool treatment of Bobby Timmons' jazz lounge instrumental "Moanin'," and a couple of new songs that spin off the titles of old tunes - "Pony Time" and "Mashed Potatoes."

 
* Tommy Conwell and The Little Kings - Sho' Gone Crazy - Llist Records Grade B

Tommy Conwell and the Little Kings - 1997 Philly Inquirer Review

Tommy Conwell and the Little Kings are featured on the Philadelphia Inquirer’s Lifestyle and Entertainment Magazine section with a review of new release, Sho’ Gone Crazy! on Monday, September 8, 1997. 

Read the review by music journalist Tom Moon: 

Tommy Conwell and the Little Kings - Sho’ Gone Crazy! (Llist Records - 3½ stars): 
After more than a decade providing audiences with rousing live-music experiences, Tommy Conwell has at last made a record that documents his madcap sense of rock and roll and love for the blues. Conwell plays guitar you can get stung by, and here unleashes a stream of disarmingly nonchalant riffage – on the swinging instrumental Moanin’ and the anarchistic jump Pony Time – whose flexibility and concision shame most guitar-mag poster boys. Though Sho’ Gone Crazy! is full of basic 12-bar blues and rockabilly, it’s never tedious. Sounding as if he’s simply got to rock the house, Conwell invigorates music that provides him with an obvious life energy.
~ Tom Moon

Moanin' - Tommy Conwell and the Little Kings

A review of Tommy Conwell and the Little Kings' cover of "Moanin'" - courtesy of blog, Kool Kovers - "dedicated to showcasing excellent cover versions and lesser known original recordings of popular songs."

Both the song and the album entitled "Moanin'" by drummer Art Blakey and his Jazz Messengers are cornerstones of not just the storied Blue Note record label, but of hard bop and modern jazz.

Recorded and released in 1958, "Moanin'" is on the short list of jazz standards like "Back At The Chicken Shack" by Jimmy Smith or "Maiden Voyage" by Herbie Hancock. The blues-based theme gives it an instantly recognizable central melody and the body of the tune swings like crazy. The song was written by pianist Bobby Timmons and features saxman Benny Golson (of "Killer Joe" fame) and trumpeter Lee Morgan, who went on to his own successful recordings for Blue Note, such as "The Sidewinder".

As a drummer, Art Blakey had power and originality, favoring a dark cymbal sound punctuated by frequent snare and bass drum accents in triplets or cross-rhythms. Blakey is also widely credited with the invention of the "push roll"; a snare roll that starts quietly and rapidly increases in volume. An example of this quick riff can be heard in the opening minutes of "Moanin'". Blakey frequently employed it to dramatically signal a change to a different section of the tune.

Get your cool on and dig Art Blakey's classic, "Moanin'". The song lasts about 9 minutes, but if you let the groove pull you in, the time will fly right on by. Enjoy!

If there ever was a band that wanted their crowd to party like it's 1959, it was Tommy Conwell's Little Kings, a band named after a local cream ale sold in 7 ounce bottles. (Larger sizes were available, but that defeated the purpose of the 7 ouncers.)

Straight outta the bars of Philadelphia, Conwell had a taste of national success in the late 1980's with his band, the Young Rumblers, who cut two albums for Columbia, "Rumble" and "Guitar Trouble", and one for MCA in 1992, entitled "Neuroticus Maximus" which that label chose not to release. To this day, Conwell still doesn't know why. I've heard it. It's of that era, but it's a good record. You can listen to it and buy an Mp3 version of the album at Tommy's website. This is another good example of why it's smart to own your master tapes.

After the MCA debacle, Conwell took a break from the big time music business, except for a two-album stint on the down-low as the unbilled guitarist for Philly pop band, Buzz Zeemer. In 1997, Tommy got back to basics and assembled the Little Kings; a sturdy roots 'n blues, rock 'n roll band with a reputation for high energy, groove and chops to spare. Don't be fooled by the goofball cover art. This band was dangerous and Conwell himself was well known as a showman with a decidedly old school sensibility who was, and still is, very capable of humbling lesser guitarists. Tommy made two records with the Little Kings for the now defunct Llist label out of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, entitled "Sho Gone Crazy!" and "Hi-Ho Silver". Although out of print, both are highly recommended and guaranteed to wake up a sluggish party. Like the one you're at right now.

So crack open a cream ale shorty and crank up this rippin' version of "Moanin'" by Tommy Conwell and the Little Kings! Hi-Ho Silver indeed.

Two essentials for your jazz collection are the albums "Moanin'" and "A Night In Tunisia" by Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers. Vinyl should be available too. You can get music direct from Tommy Conwell at his website or at Amazon Mp3. Tommy is still playing the bars and clubs in and around Philadelphia. His guitar skills have only improved with time. I understand you can even get some lessons from him, if you're in the area.

Support local artists and musicians how, where and when you can, wherever you live.

Bottle Woman (demo) - Tommy Conwell and the Little Kings

 
A demo track of Tommy Conwell and the Little Kings performing Bottle Woman.
 
"Bottle Woman" also appears on the Tommy Conwell and the Little Kings' LList Records-produced "Sho' Gone Crazy" in 1997. You can buy it at the Tommy Conwell Store, of course.

Sho' Gone Crazy Music Review

A review of Tommy Conwell and the Little Kings' Sho' Gone Crazy released in 1997, courtesy of Debbie Gayle Rose, Middle Tennessee State University.

Rockabilly fans can celebrate a practically perfect album in Tommy Conwell and the Little Kings' Sho' Gone Crazy. The music starts fast and furious, and it never really slows down. To top it off, the quality of the music, lyrics and performances is as fine as anyone could ask for. The liner notes claim this is Tommy Conwell doing music on his own terms; in that case, he should always be allowed to do music on his own terms if it is going to be as fine as this.

From the first number, "Pony Time," the pattern of lively, hopping fun reminiscent of the '50s is set. "All God's Children Wanna Rock" bops along and proves that if they don't beforehand, they certainly will when they hear this song. "Moaning," despite its sad-sounding title, is a moving musical number that will tear up the dance floor, starring the sassy sax of Darryl Ray Jenkins. The funny, snappy lyrics of "Bad Haircut" keep the pace and add even more light and levity to the proceedings, as does "Going on Down Here." "Want You to Feel Good" mixes Conwell's fine vocals with that snappy sax for an unforgettable swing. "Mashed Potatoes" brings in a slight change of style without slowing the pace, but does not fail to show off its rockabilly roots. Heart and soul is poured into the performance of "Let Go," and I defy anyone to keep their feet still while this one rocks along. "Get Down" is a fine, frisky, frenzied tune that sweeps all in its path along with it.

Continuing the crazy, swinging pace is the solid song "Betty Jean." "That's All" is another fine number with just the right feel to it. You have to love the sax in "Bottle Woman," a smooth, sweet swing. I knew they would eventually have to slow down, but not by very much -- or not so that you notice a great deal with "It's Raining." It's a sad ballad of lost love and rain, nostalgic in feel, but fresh and lively. "Boogie Picking" is the ultimate in truth in advertising, and these boys do not give their instruments any rest in the final song on the CD.

The group consists of Conwell on guitar and vocals, Jenkins on tenor saxophone, Pat Coppa on bass and Paul Ramagano on drums. They should all take several moments to pat themselves on the back for a job well done. It is not often that a CD comes along with every song a winner and played with such skill and obvious love of the genre.

Tommy Conwell and the Little Kings - "Sho' Gone Crazy" Press Release

Press release for Tommy Conwell and the Little Kings Sho' Gone Crazy CD.

9/1/97

LList Records is proud to announce the first release of blues/rockabilly artist Tommy Conwell. 

Tommy Conwell’s CD Sho' Gone Crazy is his first release for LList Records. After a four year recording hiatus, Conwell’s new album features tracks such as Betty Jean and All God's Children Want To Rock.  

After finishing his sessions with Columbia Records that were more of a pop sound, Tommy Conwell returned to his blues/rockabilly roots and to reclaim his status on the Northeast club circuit he once dominated.

Tommy Conwell and the Little Kings - Sho' Gone Crazy

Tommy Conwell and the Little Kings release "Sho' Gone Crazy" in September 1997. A departure from the Young Rumblers, Tommy takes a more jazz-blues-rock fusion departure, although many at the time will mistake it for just another entry in the "swing music" scene that was popular in the late 1990s. 

Tracks:
1. Pony Time
2. All God's Children Wanna Rock
3. Moanin'
4. Bad Haircut
5. Goin' On Down Here
6. Want You To Feel Good Too
7. Mashed Potatoes
8. Let Go
9. Get Down and Ride
10. Betty Jean
11. That's All
12. Bottle Woman
13. It's Raining
14. Boogie Pickin'