November 3, 2014

This 79-Year-Old Rocker Is Still Amazing


Jerry Lee Lewis
Rock & Roll Time
Vanguard

Jerry Lee Lewis

If the prospect of a new album from a 79-year-old rock and roller seems less than promising, think again. Piano-pounding wildman Jerry Lee Lewis still has his mojo working on Rock & Roll Time, ripping through covers of Johnny Cash, Fats Domino, and Chuck Berry with the same arrogant swagger he brought to “Great Balls of Fire” and “Whole Lot of Shakin’ Goin’ On” back in the ’50s. Sure, the cameos by Keith Richards, Neil Young, and The Band’s Robbie Robertson are nice, but nobody overshadows the Killer. Check out the soulful duet with Shelby Lynne on “Here Comes That Rainbow Again” or his two-fisted version of Jimmy Reed’s “Bright Lights, Big City” and prepare to be amazed.

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