Search - Robert Shafer :: Hillbilly Fever

Very Good - Upbeat, rockabilly guitar

Paul Henault (paulhen@aol.com) | Cleveland, Ohio | 09/04/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The title "Hillbilly Fever" is aptly named. This CD features an upbeat, Danny Gatton style rockabilly flavor that is hard to find anymore. From the early Elvis inspired "Beam me up, Scotty Moore", to my favorite track, a supersonic chicken' pickin version of "The Flintstones" theme (hidden about 1 minute after the last listed track) this CD keeps the energy level up throughout. Shafer's style is also similar to the more uninhibited sides of Albert Lee, Ray Flacke, Duke Levine, and Brian Setzer, and is blindingly fast in places. The best tracks don't take themselves too seriously, but are just fun. However, there are a couple of slower tracks that I frankly consider dull. Shafer should stick to the more prominent fast and fun style on his next album and it will sure to be a winner. I'm looking forward to hearing additional CD's from this artist."