Rockpile: Live at Montreux 1980

Rockpile is quite simply one of the greatest pure rock and roll bands of all time. What's that? You've never heard of them? That's OK, there's no better time than now to get blown away by a new discovery. They're brand of revved up Chuck Berry music was well documented in the pub rock revival of the late 70's and even though they only released one official studio album (1980's fantastic Second's of Pleasure) they did play on great solo albums from group members Dave Edmunds (Tracks on Wax 4, Repeat When Necessary ) and Nick Lowe (Labour of Lust). While they were an outstanding studio band, on stage is where they really made their mark and now we finally have an official live album as the proof.

Live at Montreux 1980 finds Rockpile pulling songs from Edmunds and Lowe's "solo" albums as well as Second's of Pleasure and some choice covers. All the songs are played with extreme passion, energy and precision. Edmunds get most of the lead parts here and the relative lack of Lowe is one of the few drawbacks to this outstanding live document (guitarist Billy Bremner sings a couple to complement his lean but efficient solo's while drummer Terry Williams stakes a claim as one of the most underrated sticksmen of all time). You've probably heard more popular version of "I Knew the Bride" and "Queen of Hearts" countless times bedfore but until you've heard them blasted out on stage by Rockpile. They also crush versions of Lowe's "Switchboard Susan" and "They Call it Rock," Edmunds "I Hear You Knocking," Graham Parker's "Crawling From the Wreckage" and a set closing version of Jerry Lee Lewis' "Let's Talk About Us" that is sure to leave everyone wanting more.

Live at Montreux 1980 isn't the perfect place to start listening to Rockpile (any of the studio stuff is more essential) but it is a fantastic album that captures a truly phenomenal (and vastly underrepresented) live band at their peak. Get a copy, turn it up and let the music blast. This is what rock and roll at it's core is is all about.

Rating: 4.5

Track Listing:

1. "Sweet Little Lisa" (2:34)
2. "So It Goes" (2:49)
3. "I Knew the Bride" (2:46)
4. "Queen of Hearts" (2:56)
5. "Switchboard Susan" (3:16)
6. "Trouble Boys" (3:16)
7. "Teacher Teacher" (2:42)
8. "Girls Talk" (3:23)
9. "3 Time Loser" (2:54)
10. "You Ain't Nothin' but Fine" (2:49)
11. "Crawling From the Wreckage" (3:07)
12. "Let It Rock" (2:52)
13. "I Hear You Knocking" (2:34)
14. "They Called it Rock" (3:50)
15. "Ju Ju Man" (3:22)
16. "Let's Talk About Us" (3:59)