Ritual Rockabillies

ETCD 2040 - Various Artists - Ritual Rockabillies
One decade ago the Ritual Nocturno radio show began to be broadcast for Barcelona city and its surrounding cities from the local radio station Radio Ciutat Vella. Leo Castro, voice and director of the program has maintained during these ten years the line that he considered at the time of initiating the radio show; to offer American roots music, taking as point of reference 50's Rock and Roll and its roots and more direct branches. Rhythm & Blues, Honky Tonk, Western Swing, Country, Blues, Surf, Instrumentals and specially Rockabilly music.
The program always has had special dedication towards the artists who have maintained the flame on 50 's Rockabilly for almost half century after its birth, making his listeners know about them and promoting them when touring Spain and playing in Barcelona city. El Ritual Nocturno is the only radio show in Barcelona dedicated to this type of music and one of most veterans of all the country. This CD is a reflection of that aspect of the program, the best international and national contemporary bands that have been broadcast, the result is a compilation album as never has been released in Spain that will serve to please the connoisseurs of the musical genre and those that wish to introduce in the fantastic world of true rock and roll. The selection has been prepared by the director of the program and contributor, among others, to the musical magazine Route 66 and is a sample of the rebirth of Rockabilly music at national and international levels. Between the national bands we would like to emphasise, in the group of the newcomers, Jett Darren & The Doggone Riders with his first album in the street and between the veterans Bop Pills, Nu Niles, Milestones or Little Boy Arnold and his Western Oakies. As far as the bands from outside our borders, Junior Marvel or Runnin' Wild already consecrated at all the levels and that have exerted great influence in the new generations.

This it is a serious work of an extraordinary quality faithful sample of the good health of 50's rock and roll in any corner of this planet.


ETCD 2040 - Various Artists - Ritual Rockabillies

Go You Can't Make Love To Somebody.mp3
Homeward Bound.mp3
Killer Taco Stomp.mp3
Roarin' & Rollin'.mp3

Track Listing :
 Killer Taco Stomp - Runnin' Wild
Roarin' & Rollin' - Jett Darren & The Doggone Riders
Hi Fly Bop - Junior Marvel
Delight Full Lips - Hi Way Rumblers
Dark Skin - The Nu Niles
Don't Tell Me No Lies - Carlos & The Bandidos
South Bound Train - Junior Marvel
Teenage Vamp - The Nitemares
Kiss Me Once - Bryant Trenier & The Dynasonics
Cry Cry Cry - Katty & The Catbones
How You Want It Done - Runnin' Wild
Make Love To Somebody - The Milestones
Empty Bottle Blues - The Bop Pills
You're Gonna Be Sorry Some Of These Days - Cari Lee & The Saddle-Ites
Rockin' Rollin' Stone - Junior Marvel 		Flamin Manie - The Milestones
Wild Wild Lover - The Nitemares
Haircut Boogie - The Nu Niles
Don't Tell Me Your Troubles - Katty & The Catbones
It's A Ball - Carlos & The Bandidos
Big River - Little Boy Arnold & His Western Oakies
Mad Gal - Jett Darren & The Doggone Riders
Homeward Bound - Bryant Trenier & The Dynasonics
Cherokee Maiden - Hi Way Rumblers
Sleep, Rock A Roll, Rock A Baby - Little Boy Arnold & His Western oakies
I Never Felt Like This - The Bop Pills
BCN Hayride - Hayride kings
Stop Whistlin' Wolf - Cari Lee & The Saddle-Ites.

The liner notes by Leo Castro.

In ten years on the air, you come across a lot of bands. Some recorded a single, some an EP - the lucky ones got to make a CD - and those who didn't record anything certainly deserved to. Some have disappeared, some are still riding high -and all this coming and going shows that Fifties Rockabilly is more alive than ever - constantly renewing itself, but without losing any of the features that make it what it is. This CD contains some of the music and bands that have come the way of the Nocturnal Ritual radio programme. It may not include all the best stuff, but it's a choice selection. There are tracks that were released in their day and became anthems on the national Rockin' scene, and some exclusive previously unreleased cuts yet to be discovered which are sure to become classics too, given time.


The Nu Niles

I've known Mario Cobo (guitar) since he was a teenage rockabilly fan, and I still recall the day when I introduced him to Miguel (vocals). Together they formed a duo in Barcelona, with the other members joining one by one until in 1996 the Nu Niles were born. The resurgence of rockabilly in Spain is due in no small part to this band, who have gone on to become one of the most popular combos on the scene - not only here but also beyond Spain's borders. Their song 'Haircut Boogie' is high on the programme's most-played list.


The Hy Way Ramblers
This band hails from Madrid and has been around for two years, led by their full-voiced pin-up singer Lola, the band's set includes western swing, rockabilly and hillbilly.



The Milestones
When the Loneshots from Madrid split up, Javi (drums) and Diego (guitar) decided to carry on together, playing rockabilly and hillbilly. It would have been a real shame if they'd thrown in the towel - especially as Diego is one of the best rockabilly guitarists that I've ever heard. They've brought in a fine singer, and we're all looking forward to their first LP.

The Nitemares
The members of this band played in various other Madrid combos until the beginning of 1999 when they decided to get together under the name of The Nitemares. Marcos, the singer, has a passion for rockabilly that is equalled by his devotion to Doo-Wop.



The Bop Pills
In mid-1997 The Nunes brothers (Daniel and Jorge) wanted to move away from the psychobilly they play with their band Los Brioles and so they hooked up with Mario Cobo of The Nu Niles to play some primitive rockabilly without drums. What began as a jam session among friends became, over the next few months, a solid rockin' trio seen on stages all over Europe playing a set full of references to Jorge's abiding passion - 1950's B-movies.



Litle Boy Arnold And His Western Oakies
The veterans of the compilation come from Marbella (Malaga) in the deep south of Spain, and were formed in 1994 by singer and guitarist Hector - aka Little Boy Arnold. He and stand-up bassist Sebas are the only two original members and it might be that this continuous change in the line-up is what has made their style of rockabilly so pure and basic - with or without drums. Their great live show has ensured that their name is known across all the European festivals.



Jett Darren & The Doggone Riders
They come from Albacete and have only been around for a couple of years but despite being newcomers they've got the attitude and energy of any of the scene-veterans. As if that wasn't enough, they write their own material - searching for their own unique sound based on the wildest most desperate rockabilly guitar. Just one demo has been enough to convince many that they are the best new act around. Such was the praise for them that el Toro records has signed them for their recording debut.

Junior Marvel
Junior Marvel is the stage name of Franc Marquez who has perhaps the most impressive new voice in the world of rockabilly - a voice that can emulate the vocal prowess of the legends of Sun Records, while performing Junior's own material. This young man from Holland, the son of Spanish immigrants, fronts - along with Nils Becker (guitar) and J.J. Slyck (rhythm guitar) - Junior Marvel and his Flyers. Up on stage he cuts loose like one of the original stars from the Golden Age of Rock and Roll.



Carlos And The Bandidos
There's no doubt that this London band is one of the most charismatic in the UK. Their success comes in part from their particular style of rockabilly, seasoned with Tex Mex and just a dash of humour. Their guitarist, Malcolm Chapman, has the kind of experience that a lot of bands and musicians would love to have. That's why he's always in demand as a session player for other groups. His guitar style is so personal that it's always immediately recognisable, even if it's just a simple session musician job.



Bryant Trenier And The Dinasonics
This combo from Seattle, WA, USA is one of the reasons why that country has rediscovered rockabilly. The Dinasonics are pure old-time southern rockabilly. Bryant, the singer, is the nephew of the legendary Trenier brothers - Rock and Roll pioneers of the 1950s.



Runnin' Wild

This Brussels (Belgium) trio has been around since the late 80's. The two tracks on this compilation feature way up there on the most-played list of the ten years that I've been doing this programme. It's pure classic rockabilly - and live, you won't be able to take your eyes off charismatic lead singer.

The Hayride Kings
This band was named after the annual Barcelona rockabilly and hillbilly festival. It's made up of members from the Bop Pills, the Nu Niles and various other bands. They got together at the beginning of 2000 in order to play western swing and hillbilly. Mario Cobo takes the microphone for the first time.


Catty And The Cat Bones

A great combo coming all the way from Zaragoza, they've been together since 1999 but with the two tracks on this CD they prove to have developed their own "cat bone" rockabilly stile.