Search - Ray Sharpe :: Linda Lu

Great Black Rock & Roll/Rockabilly

CC Jerome | Winslow, AZ USA | 06/26/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"There weren't many black rockabilly records, but Linda Lu was one--and it was maybe the best. Doug Sahm, Delbert McClinton and others cite it as a record that turned their heads around. The original version is here together with 27 other rare or unissued sides from 1958 to 1962. Most of these sides were cut in Phoenix by the legendary Lee Hazlewood, and the underground classics in this long overdue rerospective include Oh My Baby's Gone, That's The Way I Feel, Kewpie Doll, TA Blues, Red Sails In The Sunset, Long John, and Justine. Check out one of the great original talents in rock 'n' roll!"

He Must Have Been A Big Hit In Europe

CC Jerome | 09/03/2007

(3 out of 5 stars)

"The caption refers to the fact that, in spite of managing just the one lonely North American hit, The Bear Family saw fit to release a Ray Sharp CD with TWENTY-SEVEN selections. All I can say is, this Rockabilly shouter from Texas must have wowed them in Europe.



His one big claim to fame on this side of the Atlantic was 1959's Linda Lu which made it to # 11 R&B and # 46 Billboard Pop Hot 100 for the Jamie label with the backing of Duane Eddy AND Al Casey. That, and the flipside - Red Sails In The Sunset - are both here, accounting for the 3 stars. Otherwise, this is an expensive way for charted hit collectors to seek out the one hit. I'm sure it can be found on a multi-artist compilation which will then, at least, give you several more bona fide hits. Unless, like me, you MUST have both sides."