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Non-Prog CD Reviews

King Size Taylor

Dr. Feelgood - The Brits Are Rocking Vol.3

Review by Gary Hill

This set from Bear Family Records is classy, but then again, that can be said about pretty much everything they release. The artist featured here, King Size Taylor, is an old-school rock and roller, and the songs deliver that sound with a lot of style and flair.  Taylor hailed from Liverpool, England, just like the Beatles. His music has some definite similarities to early Beatles. In fact, several songs here were also done by the Beatles. This is quite an entertaining set for fans of that variety of rock and roll.

This review is available in book (paperback and hardcover) in Music Street Journal: 2020  Volume 4. More information and purchase links can be found at: garyhillauthor.com/Music-Street-Journal-2020.
Track by Track Review
Heeby Jeebies
Vocals bring this into being. The band joins after a while, with a classic rock and roll kind of groove. While I’m not overly enamored with this piece, I dig the saxophone solo section.
All Around the World
I like this one a lot more than the opener. I like the element added by the horn on this tune. The vocal performance is less rhythmic and more hook laden. This is a fun tune that works well.
Dr. Feelgood
Jazz and rock and roll merge on this fun romp. It has a great energy and groove and some cool hooks.
She Said Yeah
This old school rock and roller is another fun tune.
Hippy Hippy Shake
I love the classy piano on this, and the whole tune just grooves with a lot of style. This is a bit more percussive, but works better than “Heeby Jeebies” did.
Hello Josephine
Another old school rock and roller, this is effective, but not a big change. I really love the rocking instrumental section on this tune.
Slow Down
You might think a song wit that title would be slow. You’d be wrong here. This is an up-tempo rock and roller with some particularly tasty jamming.
Sweet Little Sixteen
This Chuck Berry tune gets a killer performance here. I love the piano on it.
Never In A Hundred Years
This old-school number has a different 50s style to it. I’m not a big fan of this one.
Money
A lot of people know of this song because the Beatles did a version of it that was a hit. This rendition is pretty similar to theirs. I like this a lot. It’s a highlight of the disc.
Bad Boy
Another song that The Beatles did, this one isn’t as effective here. I definitely prefer the version by the Fab Four. This one has a lot more old school rock and roll edge to it, though.
Sherry Baby
Another classic old school rock and roller, this has a lot more doo-wop built into it. This version is a lot of fun.
Whole Lotta of Lovin'
I love the piano work on this tune. The energy and vibe are classy, as well. In fact, this is one of my favorites of the set.
Stupidity
The wailing sax on this is a real powerhouse. The tune’s old school rock and roll groove is quite effective.
Long Tall Sally
This classic gets a smoking hot live telling. The sax drives it with a lot of style and power later in the run. I’d consider this one another highlight of the album.
Domino Twist
I love the energy and groove of this old school rocker. The horn brings some magic to this one, too.
Short On Love
This makes me think of The Animals for some reason. It’s another highlight of the set. It just oozes cool. The key change bit is a nice touch, too.
Memphis, Tennessee
Another old-school classic, the guitar fills on this are great. I like the variety this tune brings to the proceedings, but honestly, it is just a strong performance of a strong song. It’s another standout.
Mashed Potatoes and Hot Pastrami
Another old school rock and roll groove, I don’t think this fares as well as some of the others. I find the hook to be annoying. The saxophone soloing is solid, though.
Lipstick, Powder and Paint
This cut is a fun one. It’s not one of my favorites, but its classic rock and roll delivery works well.
Slippin' And Slidin'
With a lot of style and charm, this isn’t a big surprise or change. It just works well. I love the bass line on this.
Twist and Shout
Here is another that The Beatles performed to achieve hit status. This rendition definitely stands up to theirs. It’s another fun rocker.
Dizzy Miss Lizzy
Another fun one, I dig the rubbery kind of groove of this number. The sax soloing is particularly noteworthy, but don’t ignore that piano. 
I Can Tell
Not a big change, this is entertaining.
Fortune Teller
There is an intriguing mood and texture to this number. It’s a bit more of 60s sounding piece. It brings some variety and is a classy cut.
You Can't Sit Down
I love the energy and groove of this number. It’s a lot of fun.
I'm Late
There is a bit of soul music vibe here. It has plenty of classic rock and roll in the mix, too, though. It’s solid, but not a standout.
Sad and Blues
Old school rock and roll based, the recording on this doesn’t sound as good as on some of the rest. The tune works pretty well.
Saw My Baby with Another Guy
There is a bit of a “Secret Agent Man” vibe to this. It’s another with a bit less than optimal recording. It still stands pretty darned tall despite that. That’s a testament to the strength of the tune.
Matchbox
With a jazzy, boogie woogie vibe, this is a fun romp. It also suffers just a little in terms of recording quality. The number works pretty well, though.    
Good Golly Miss Molly
They put in a solid performance of this classic tune.
 
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