Born to Rock is an album by the American musician Carl Perkins, released in 1989.[2][3] It was considered to be an attempt to replicate Roy Orbison's late-career success.[4]
| Born to Rock | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1989 | |||
| Studio | Creative Recording, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee | |||
| Label | Universal[1] | |||
| Producer | Brent Maher, Don Potter | |||
| Carl Perkins chronology | ||||
| ||||
Production
editThe album was produced by Brent Maher and Don Potter.[5] Some of its songs were cowritten by Perkins's sons, Greg and Stan.[6][7] The title track is an autobiographical song.[8] The Jordanaires contributed to the album.[9]
Born to Rock included a few prototypical country songs.[10] Perkins later expressed displeasure with the album, commenting that he wished it had a stronger rockabilly sound.[11]
Critical reception
edit| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [12] |
| The Encyclopedia of Popular Music | [13] |
| MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide |  [14] |
| Rolling Stone | [5] |
| The Rolling Stone Album Guide | [15] |
| San Jose Mercury News | [4] |
Rolling Stone wrote that, "unlike many early rockers who coast through contractual-obligation records with glazed indifference, Perkins sounds feverishly interested in the ten tracks here."[5] The Los Angeles Times thought that the album "covers the old rockabilly style with jumping, humorous numbers delivered in a cottony, amiable voice that is an obvious influence for such younger performers as John Hiatt."[16]
The Times called it a "splendid, vibrant collection from a veteran who remains a gifted songwriter, an alert guitarist and a distinctive singer with range, humour and an authentic rockabilly twang."[17] The Capital Times determined that "Perkins, the purest rockabilly of them all, has returned to vinyl with an album that captures the essence of his seminal Sun recordings with the vision of a 50-year-old."[18]
Track listing
edit| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Born to Rock" | Carl Perkins, Greg Perkins, Stan Perkins | 3:40 |
| 2. | "Charlene" | Carl Perkins, Greg Perkins | 4:08 |
| 3. | "The Rain Might Wash Your Love Away" | Brent Maher, Don Potter, Don Schlitz | 4:37 |
| 4. | "Hambone" | Carl Perkins, Wayne Walker | 3:30 |
| 5. | "A Lifetime Last Night" | Carl Perkins, Greg Perkins | 3:49 |
| 6. | "Cotton Top" | Carl Perkins | 3:05 |
| 7. | "Baby, Please Answer Your Phone" | Larry Patton, Paul Overstreet | 3:18 |
| 8. | "Till I Couldn't Stand No More" | Pamela Patton | 4:10 |
| 9. | "Don't Let Go" | Jesse Stone | 3:23 |
| 10. | "Love Makes Dreams Come True" | Carl Perkins, Greg Perkins | 4:17 |
Personnel
edit- Carl Perkins - lead guitar (electric and acoustic), vocals
- Don Potter, Larry Byrom - acoustic rhythm guitar
- Craig Nelson, Robert Burns - double string bass
- Bobby Ogdin - piano
- Eddie Bayers - drums
- The Jordanaires - backing vocals
References
edit- ^ Prown, Pete; Newquist, Harvey P. (March 18, 1997). Legends of Rock Guitar: The Essential Reference of Rock's Greatest Guitarists. Hal Leonard Corporation.
- ^ Pareles, Jon (January 20, 1998). "Carl Perkins Dies at 65; Rockabilly Pioneer Wrote 'Blue Suede Shoes'". The New York Times.
- ^ Sievert, Jon (Jun 1989). "Carl Perkins: A Rock and Roll Pioneer Heads into the '90s". Guitar Player. Vol. 23, no. 6. p. 74.
- ^ a b Sumrall, Harry (June 4, 1989). "Carl Perkins: 'Born to Rock'". Arts. San Jose Mercury News. p. 9.
- ^ a b c Guterman, Jimmy (July 13, 1989). "Born to Rock". Rolling Stone.
- ^ Morse, Steve (28 July 1989). "Perkins Pays Homage to Friend, Roy Orbison". Arts and Film. The Boston Globe. p. 33.
- ^ Rowe, Norman (July 9, 1989). "Carl Perkins' Latest MIX Becomes Family Affair". Richmond Times-Dispatch. p. M11.
- ^ Point, Michael (20 Jan 1990). "ACL' opens season in superb manner". Austin American-Statesman. p. G9.
- ^ Herbeck, Dan (June 2, 1989). "Country". Gusto. The Buffalo News. p. 40.
- ^ Gilbert, Calvin (May 12, 1989). "Carl Perkins Born to Rock". Fun. The Advocate. p. 4.
- ^ Kostanczuk, Bob (August 3, 1990). "Not Enough Rockabilly". Life/Styles Weekend. Post-Tribune. p. 5.
- ^ "Born to Rock". AllMusic.
- ^ Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 6. MUZE. p. 488.
- ^ MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 1999. p. 866.
- ^ The Rolling Stone Album Guide. Random House. 1992. pp. 539–540.
- ^ Boehm, Mike (6 Aug 1989). "A Blue-Tinged Life for the Silver Screen Story of Rock Survivor Carl Perkins Could Be a Sobering, Uplifting Movie". Los Angeles Times. p. 49A.
- ^ "Carl Perkins Born to Rock". Features. The Times. July 22, 1989.
- ^ Rasmussen, Eric (July 15, 1989). "Bounty of New Albums Have Come Down Pike". Time Out. The Capital Times. p. 38.