- Ronnie Hawkins -- vocals

  backing musicians (1970)

- David Briggs -- organ

- Kenneth Buttrey -- drums

- Jerry Carrigan -- drums

- Fred Carter -- guitar

- Pete Drake -- pedal steel guiatr

- Tim Drummond -- bass

- Dave Kirby -- guitar

- Grady Martin -- guitar

- Charlie McCoy -- organ, harmonica

- Farrell Morris - percussion

- William Puett - sax

- Boots Randolph --sax

- Norman Ray -- sax

- Don Sheffield -- trumpet

- Stan Szelest -- [piano

- Crowbar

- The Hawks

- Northern Lights

Genre: rock

Rating: 2 stars **

Title:  Rock & Roll Resurrection

Company: Monument

Catalog: KZ 31320
Year: 1972

Country/State: Huntsville, Arkansas

Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+

Comments: gatefold sleeve

Available: 1

Catalog ID: 816

Price: $12.00

For some reason the early-'70s saw the public express a brief interest in '50s rock.  Scores of established acts jumped at the opportunity to cash-in on the fad; one of them being Ronnie Hawkins.  Produced by Fred Foster, 1972's "Rock & Roll Resurrection" surrounded Hawkins with an all-star cast of Nashville sessions players, a mixture of classic '50s rockers, and one '50s-styled original ('Cora Mae').    Exemplified by a track listing that included two Chuck Berry tunes; two Fats Domino tracks and an assortment of other rock chestnuts, it was pretty clear Hawkins was hoping for widespread commercial appeal.   Didn't happen.  While the tunes were all well done, with the possible exception of his cover of 'Bo Diddley' (for some reason re-titled 'Daddy Diddley'), nothing here really jumped out at you.  The one weird tune was the closing Kris Kristofferson cover -  'The Same Old Song' which sounded way out of place on the album.  I'll readily admit Hawkins' voice remained in fine form, but it was simply wasted on this poorly thought out collection of cover tunes.  (Bet it was a pain dragging the Rockola jukebox out there ....)

Rock & Roll Resurrection" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) Lawdy Miss Clawdy  (Lloyd Price) - 2:41

So there must be thousands of covers of this rock and roll chestnut.  As far as covers go, based largely on Hawkins' unique voice, this country-tinged one wasn't bad.  Certainly not essential, but you've heard far worse.   The Boots Randolph sax solo was actually pretty good.  The man could certainly play.   rating: *** stars

2.) When My Dreamboat Comes Home   (Dave Fanklin - Chet Home) - 2:24

A breezy, slightly Cajun-tinged rocker, this one was far better than you would have expected.   I could have done without the horns and the fade out was somewhat abrupt.   rating: ** stars

3.) Cora Mae   (Ronnie Hawkins) - 2:10

The lone Hawkins original, 'Cora Mae' didn't stray far from the album's '50s flavor, though it was one of the more energetic performances.   Might be why Monument tapped it as a single.   rating: *** stars

4.) Memphis, Tennessee   (Chuck Berry) - 2:44

The first of two Chuck Berry covers (I always thought the song title was 'Memphis'), Hawkins did a nice enough job of 'Memphis, Tennessee' but to my ears it didn't sound all that different from the Johnny Rivers version.  rating: *** stars

5.) Ain't That a Shame   (A. Domino - D. Batholomew) - 2:16

Not an original thought, or move on this one ...   rating: ** stars

(side 2)
1.) Bony Maronie  (Larry Williams) - 2:21

Yes, the performance was energetic, but why would you want to hear this one when you can easily go for the classic original ?    rating: ** stars

2.) Diddley Daddy  (Eugene MacDaniel - Harvey Fuqua) - 2:24

Giving credit where due, Hawkins was smart enough to hold  on to the original's mesmerizing rhythm pattern and slap on a tasty Grady Martin fuzz guitar solo, making his cover of 'Bo Diddley' (no idea why he re-titled it 'Diddley Daddy') was easily  the album's best performance. This was literally the only song that you'd remember twenty minutes after playing the album.   The track was tapped as a single, though it was released with the correct title.  rating: **** stars

3.) I'm In Love Again    (A. Domino - D. Batholomew) - 2:08

Well, 'I'm In Love Again' at least opened up with a nice guitar, but went downhill from there.   rating: ** stars

4.) Maybellene   (Chuck Berry - R. Fratto - A. Freed) - 2:31

Personally I didn't care for the country tinged Hawkins slapped on the second Chuck Berry cover.   This one sounded like something Command Cody and the Lost Planet Airmen might have done.   rating: ** stars

5.) The Same Old Song   (Kris Kristiofferson) - 2:57  

I'm guessing Hawkins felt a certain kinship with Kris Kristofferson's lyrics - life was so tough as a rock and roller.   Wonder if Kristofferson's version was any better ...  Regardless, the song just sounded out of place on the album.   rating: ** stars

As mentioned, the album spun-off two singles:

- 1972's 'Core Mae' b/w 'Ain't It a Shame' (Monument catalog number MNT S 8292)

- 1972's 'Bo Diddley' b/w Cora Mae'' (Monument catalog number ZS7 8573)