Genre: rock
Rating: *** (3 stars)
Title: Bullshot
Company: Visa
Catalog: 7009
Year: 1979
Country/State: US
Grade (cover/record): VG/VG
Comments: minor ring wear; original inner sleeve
Available: 1
GEMM catalog ID: 4455
Price: $9.00
Cost: $66.00
I'll be perfectly honest and admit that my knowledge of guitarist Link Wray's catalog was basically limited to the fact he enjoyed a couple of 1950s hits with the singles 'Rawhide' and 'Rumble'. Having said that, wow was this album a surprise !!!
Produced by Richard Gotterhrer, 1979's "Bullshot" quickly disspelled any notion I may have had that Wray was a washed up 1950s rocker. Backed by a first rate band (including drummer Anton Fig), Wray effortlessly slammed his way through an impressive mixture of covers and originals. On material such as 'Just That Kind', 'Good Good Lovin'' and a nifty remake of 'Raw-Hide' Wray not only showcased his guitar chops, but displayed a surprisingly strong voice. What's really interesting to me is that while I don't normally go for instrumentals, Wray originals such as 'Snag', 'Switchblade' and a remake of 'Raw-Hide' were all great. The other track worth hearing is Wray's blazing cover of Dylan's 'It's All Over Now Baby Blue'. This may be the best cover of that song you'll ever hear. To be honest, the only disappointment on the album is the lame MOR ballad 'Don't' that closes out the set. Unfortunately, the album did nothing commercially. It also marked the last studio set Wray would release for some 20 years.
"Bullshot" track listing:
(side 1)
1.) Good Good Lovin' (Link Wray) - 2:44
2.) Fever (Cooley - Davenport) - 3:00
3.) Snag (instrumental) (Link Wray) - 3:05
4.) Just That Kind (Link Wray) - 2:13
5.) Switchblade (instrumental) (Billy Cross - Gordon - Richard Gottehrer - Robert Stoner - Link Wray - Howie Wyeth) - 3:10
(side 2)
1.) It's All Over Now Baby Blue (Bob Dylan) - 5:20
2.) Raw-Hide (Grant - Link Wray) - 2:51
3.) Wild Party (Link Wray) - 2:47
4.) The Sky Is Falling - 3:50
5.) Don't (Lieber - Stoller) - 3:20