Robert Gordon & Link Wray – Rumble: Their First European Tour 1978
While the global music scene was dominated by disco, punk, and new wave in 1977, two gifted musicians paid little attention to the trends of the day and instead pursued their own musical goals with determination. The young Robert Gordon (1947–2022) with his rockabilly-style Elvis quiff and charmingly smooth voice, and the “old rocker” Link Wray (1929–2005) in his leather outfit. Wray reached number 16 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1958 with the instrumental “Rumble” as Link Wray & His Ray Men, and his music was used in many films such as “Desperado,” “Independence Day,” “12 Monkeys,” “Blow,” and “Pulp Fiction.” Gordon and Wray released two albums in 1977 and 1978: Robert Gordon with Link Wray and Fresh Fish Special. They then went their separate ways and Gordon began working with English guitarist Chris Spedding. Live and on their two studio albums, Gordon and Wray mixed original compositions with original cover versions of Gene Vincent, Jack Scott, Eddie Cochran, Johnny Burnette and even Bruce Springsteen.
On January 24, 1978, during their first European tour, the two musicians gave a session at Radio Bremen’s studios for the program “Musikladen Extra.” They were joined by Jon Paris (Johnny Winter’s long-time accompanist) on bass and Anton Fig (Spider and Ace Frehley’s Comet, among others) on drums. Fifteen tracks were retrieved from the station’s archives in the very best picture and sound quality. A few days earlier, the tour group had also been in the Netherlands, among other places. The tapes of an entire concert from January 20, 1978, in Rotterdam still exist. Robert Gordon himself had arranged for the recording at the live club Eksit. There is also a video recording of the performance at the Paradiso in Amsterdam on January 21, 1978, which was commissioned by the record company at the time. This material is now being released under the title “Rumble: Their First European Tour 1978” as the ultimate live documentation of the work of these two extraordinary musicians.
Tracklist – CD1 & DVD:
Live at Musikladen Extra, Jan. 24, 1978
- The Way I Walk 03:02
- Twenty Flight Rock 02:20
- Five Days, Five Days 02:47
- My Baby Left Me 01:59
- Lonesome Train (On A Lonesome Track) 02:14
- Rumble 04:04
- Baby, What You Want Me To Do 03:27
- Sea Cruise 02:23
- Red Hot 01:54
- Fire 03:01
- If This Is Wrong 03:14
- Summertime Blues 02:27
- Mystery Train 02:55
- Baby Let's Play House 01:53
- I Got A Woman 02:53
bonus: Live At Paradiso, Amsterdam, Jan. 21, 1978
- Summertime Blues 02:27
Total: 43:00 min.
CD2
Live at Eksit, Rotterdam Jan. 20, 1978
- Twenty Flight Rock 02:33
- Red Cadillac And A Black Moustache 02:40
- Link Talks 00:48
- I Want To Be Free 03:35
- Rumble 04:02
- Lawdy Miss Clawdy 04:13
- Flyin' Saucer Rock`n`Roll 02:14
- Mystery Train 03:31
- Summertime Blues 03:14
- If This Is Wrong 04:06
- Baby Let's Play House 02:32
- Red Hot 02:53
- Fire 03:13
- Sea Cruise 02:51
- I Sure Miss You 03:52
- Rawhide 03:34
- Baby What You Want Me To Do 05:58
- The Way I Walk 03:13
- Lonesome Train (On A Lonesome Track) 02:40
- Five Days, Five Days 03:09
- Boppin' The Blues 02:43
- I Got A Woman 03:29
- Endless Sleep 06:07
- Red Hot (Reprise) 02:16
Total: 79:26 min.
CD1+CD2 Total: 128:35 min.