With the release of his newest LP Merseybeat, West Texas rock'n'roll artist Frank Lee Sprague has achieved his goal of contributing something fresh and invigorating to rock ?n? roll. Wichita Falls Records is thrilled to be... more » a part of this landmark album, and we have already received an astonishing level of positive feedback from highly esteemed critics and fans around the world. Providing an added bonus to this already essential record are guest appearances from two of rock ?n? roll?s most treasured representatives. In 1979 Doug Fieger made history with his #1 hit "My Sharona" and #1 debut album, Get the Knack, when he infused the tired music industry with a sound both exciting and pure fun. His backing vocals lend an uncanny, beautiful quality to Frank?s sublime ballad, "Can?t Stay", track 6 on Merseybeat. For seven decades, rhythm and blues legend, Big Jay McNeely has treated fans to the honking and squealing of his tenor saxophone. Now, along with Frank Lee Sprague, he has recorded the soon-to-be classic "Our Love Is Real", featured at track 13 as the encore to Frank?s new record. Two more bonus tracks follow Big Jay?s mind-blowing performance. Known for his ingenious new arrangements of cover songs, Frank transforms "Her Diamond Ring" into a Merseybeat nugget that would have fitted perfectly on Meet the Beatles. The final bonus track pays double tribute to the Beatles and one of their favorite artists, Little Richard. Frank reworks Richard?s "She?s Got It" into a Paul McCartney style rocker a la "Long Tall Sally". Throughout Merseybeat you?re sure to find your own personal favorites, so get the record spinnin? and enjoy Wichita Falls? newest contribution to rock ?n? roll!« less
With the release of his newest LP Merseybeat, West Texas rock'n'roll artist Frank Lee Sprague has achieved his goal of contributing something fresh and invigorating to rock ?n? roll. Wichita Falls Records is thrilled to be a part of this landmark album, and we have already received an astonishing level of positive feedback from highly esteemed critics and fans around the world. Providing an added bonus to this already essential record are guest appearances from two of rock ?n? roll?s most treasured representatives. In 1979 Doug Fieger made history with his #1 hit "My Sharona" and #1 debut album, Get the Knack, when he infused the tired music industry with a sound both exciting and pure fun. His backing vocals lend an uncanny, beautiful quality to Frank?s sublime ballad, "Can?t Stay", track 6 on Merseybeat. For seven decades, rhythm and blues legend, Big Jay McNeely has treated fans to the honking and squealing of his tenor saxophone. Now, along with Frank Lee Sprague, he has recorded the soon-to-be classic "Our Love Is Real", featured at track 13 as the encore to Frank?s new record. Two more bonus tracks follow Big Jay?s mind-blowing performance. Known for his ingenious new arrangements of cover songs, Frank transforms "Her Diamond Ring" into a Merseybeat nugget that would have fitted perfectly on Meet the Beatles. The final bonus track pays double tribute to the Beatles and one of their favorite artists, Little Richard. Frank reworks Richard?s "She?s Got It" into a Paul McCartney style rocker a la "Long Tall Sally". Throughout Merseybeat you?re sure to find your own personal favorites, so get the record spinnin? and enjoy Wichita Falls? newest contribution to rock ?n? roll!
CD Reviews
I love their sound !
C. Wilson | SCAPPOOSE, OR USA | 03/01/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"They remind me of so many of the groups I grew up loving.
I have reviewed all their other recordings,and will continue to
buy every single recording they will put out.
You can hear a little surf guitar,Everly Brothers,Beatles,Buddy Holley(the correct spelling)they have such a unique sound.
That's what's cool..they have their own sound yet you feel like you have heard them before long ago.
The 50's and 60's music was the best of all time.
Anybody who can do that music justice is waaaay up at the top of my list.
I love em ! MercyBeat is my favorite album thus far !"
Across the river Mersey to Texas
stephen | Olympia. WA | 09/23/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I've always loved the sounds of the early 60's Merseyside. This album truly inspires the beauty of that particular era with a big dollop of Texas."
Good but..............
E. Joy | Texas, USA | 10/17/2007
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Don't get me wrong this is a good CD with music in the Merseybeat style but to compare it to the Beatles is carrying it way too far. This music is on par with the music of the third tier Merseybeat bands such as the Escorts and the Undertakers. The Merseybeat bands were in three tiers, the first tier was the Beatles and no one else, the second tier was bands like the Searchers, Gerry and the Pacemakers, the Swingin' Blue Jeans, and the Nashville Teens. The third tier consisted of bands such as those I mentioned earlier. Again that does not mean that this is bad but it is what it is. I have and enjoy recordings by the Escorts and the Undertakers but I realize that they never were or could never hope to be the Beatles, as hard as they tried, and this CD is in that category."
3 years later and still loving it!
Rafi | Texas | 11/04/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"After purchasing this CD in 2004 I have played it periodically and always find something on it that fits my mood. The reason I would compare this to the Beatles is that the Beatles songs are so diverse they can always cheer you up or fit into whatever musical mood you may be into listening to. Sincerity beams from this Merseybeat CD. The test of time tells whether or not music is sincere and I can say that I'll have this to play for many years to come. I never wrote a review for this because it seemed that everyone was giving it 5 stars and while I was checking out the other releases from this artist I noticed it dropped a half star so I thought that some sourpuss had decided to thrash it. I was surprised that even the "bad" review rated it as "good". But I think that since the music has come to mean so much to me these last 3 years that it does not do a good service to people to put on a review about something someone doesn't know about.
Where exactly does someone get that this CD is trying to be like the Beatles? If anything the Beatles were trying to be like this CD.
Read the liner notes. The Beatles were influenced by Buddy Holly. The artist on this CD is the new breed of "WEST TEXAS" Rock'n'roll.
That's what sets this CD apart from the tired music that is pushed down the publics throats nowadays. It's the motivation behind the music. This is not a CD for people who want artists to cater to them. Get a grip.
The other reviews of this CD are a little more believable than that.
Not everyone likes everything but don't cast aspersions on songs that were written that are going to last forever. These are classics! I would recommend this to anyone as long as they are not looking for Beatles imitations. There is "Texas" written all over the printed materials that come with the CD, and there is "Texas" written all over the music itself."
Great Record!!
Mark W. Mcclellan | oakland, ca. United States | 02/24/2009
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Great Record!!!- Frank Sprague has obviously studied the genre and production techniques that make 60's merseybeat feel good. While some of his songs rely a bit too much on the "magic formula"- there are some real winners here that feel original whilst retaining the style of arrangement, recording technique and instrumentation that made Merseybeat different. Low Pianos doubled with guitars- harmonics drenched in verb- cheap acoustic guitars- great big boomy bass and luscious vocals make this record a must for anyone that wants to hear a new spin on a timeless style."
Track Listings (15) - Disc #1