CARL PERKINS & FRIENDS – BLUE SUEDE SHOES: ROCKABILLY SESSION (CD + DVD-R)

Description

Limehouse Studios, London, England 21st October 1985 STEREO SBD

　Carl Perkins’ “BLUE SUEDE SHOES: A ROCKABILLY SESSION” television special featured an all-star lineup including George Harrison, Ringo Starr, and Eric Clapton.

　This studio live footage has been repeatedly released on VHS since the VHS era, and after the deaths of Perkins and George, it was also released on DVD. Currently, a set with a CD containing the extracted audio is also available, but since it was originally a 1985 television recording, it is in mono. When viewing it with the video, it is hardly noticeable. However, listening to the audio alone on the accompanying CD leaves a somewhat disappointing impression. The release company was probably aware of this, as the CD has been processed with pseudo-stereo, but this has actually resulted in a less impressive sound quality.

　This audio is currently available on streaming services and can be easily listened to, but its mediocre sound quality is undeniably disappointing. Although it’s an official release, it lacks the appeal of a live album consisting solely of audio, and frankly, it’s not enjoyable to listen to.

　It was overseas enthusiasts who used AI to give this classic live performance a boost. They transformed it into a truly stereo experience on a completely different level from the official CD. The result is truly magnificent; if you listened to it without any prior knowledge, you might mistakenly think it was originally released as a stereo mix.

　Just listen to Ringo’s rendition of “Honey Don’t” and you’ll understand immediately. The instrumentation and vocals are beautifully separated, creating a three-dimensional, immersive sound. Not only that, the sound quality itself is incomparably clearer than the official CD, and the stereo separation is outstanding. It makes you wonder again why the official release had that sound quality.

　The stereo sound truly shines in the following track, “Matchbox,” featuring Clapton. This performance is reminiscent of his 1970 collaboration with Perkins on the Johnny Cash Show during the Dominos era, and features Ringo Starr on vocals—a truly magnificent combination. Clapton’s playing on this track, and on the following “Mean Woman Blues,” is vividly brought to life by the stereo sound. Furthermore, this recording takes place just before his beloved Blackie guitar was retired, making the opportunity to hear it in this clear soundscape all the more significant.

　And then, as always, is the greatest highlight: the appearance of George. At the time, he had completely shifted his focus to filmmaking, so his appearance with his Gretsch guitar and singing “Everybody’s a Good Girl” (I’ve deliberately used the Japanese title) again was met with great surprise. The visual impact was undeniable, but listening to this stereo recording makes its charm stand out even more. In the interlude, he even throws in a phrase straight out of the Beatles era, which is sure to warm your heart.

　From this point on, George’s presence becomes even more prominent, and he plays a major role in the session corner where the performers sit in a circle, singing “Your True Love” and even having Perkins forget the lyrics to “Glad All Over” and hand it over to George. This part is clearly inspired by the sit-down sessions of Elvis’s 1968 comeback special, and the stereo sound perfectly conveys that relaxed atmosphere.

　Furthermore, the addition of Dave Edmunds, Rosanne Cash, and Earl Slick (who played with the Stray Cats’ rhythm section after their breakup) makes this an even more spectacular all-star session in retrospect. And with the inclusion of Japanese subtitled video footage, this is a truly definitive and comprehensive release. This session, now presented in stunningly clear stereo sound and easily accessible on a single CD, is a must-listen.

(55:38)
1. Boppin’ The Blues [Carl]
2. Put Your Cat Clothes [Carl]
3. Carl welcomes the band
4. Honey Don’t [with Ringo Starr]
5. Matchbox [with Eric Clapton & Ringo]
6. Mean Woman Blues [with Eric]
7. Turn Around [Carl]
8. Jackson [with Rosanne Cash]
9. What Kind Of Girl [Rosanne]
10. Everybody’s Trying To Be My Baby [with George Harrison]
11. Your True Love [with Dave Edmunds & George]
12. The World Is Waiting For The Sunrise [Carl]
13. welcome to rockabilly schoolhouse
14. Medley: That’s Alright Mama; Blue Moon Of Kentucky; Night Train To Memphis [with George & Eric guitar solo]
15. Glad All Over [with George guitar solo]
16. Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On [with Eric guitar solo]
17. Gone Gone Gone [Carl, with George & Eric guitar solo]
18. Blue Suede Shoes [Carl, with George & Eric guitar solo]
19. Blue Suede Shoes (Encore) [Carl & band members]
20. Gone Gone Gone (Repeat)

Carl Perkins – vocals, lead and rhythm guitars
George Harrison – vocals, rhythm and lead guitars
Ringo Starr – vocals, drums, tambourine
Eric Clapton – vocals, rhythm and lead guitars
Dave Edmunds – vocals, guitar, musical director
Rosanne Cash – vocals, maracas
Mickey Gee – guitar
Greg Perkins – bass
John David – bass
Geraint Watkins – piano
Dave Charles – drums
Phantom, Rocker & Slick
Slim Jim Phantom – drums
Lee Rocker – double bass
Earl Slick – guitar

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★★Special Project
★The first-press limited edition of CARL PERKINS & FRIENDS’ “BLUE SUEDE SHOES: A ROCKABILLY SESSION STEREO REMIX” comes with a special bonus title, “BLUE SUEDE SHOES: A ROCKABILLY SESSION: JAPANESE VIDEO,” which is a DVD featuring footage with Japanese subtitles.

CARL PERKINS & FRIENDS – BLUE SUEDE SHOES: A ROCKABILLY SESSION: JAPANESE VIDEO(Bonus DVDR)
Limehouse Studios, London, England 21st October 1985 PRO-SHOT

[A special TV program celebrating rockabilly legend Carl Perkins with a lineup of top rock musicians]
　This live special, filmed in 1985 at a London TV studio, celebrated rockabilly legend Carl Perkins with up-and-coming rock musicians. While this footage was previously released on official VHS and later on official DVD overseas, it is now out of print. Furthermore, the version we are offering includes Japanese subtitles, allowing viewers to fully appreciate the joyous session, including the conversations between Perkins and his guests. This grand live session, held in the 30th anniversary of the writing of Perkins’ iconic rockabilly hit “Blue Swede Shoes,” features an incredible lineup of guest musicians supporting Perkins, including George Harrison, Eric Clapton, Ringo Starr, Dave Edmunds, Rosanne Cash, and the Stray Cats’ rhythm section, making it a truly captivating experience.
　
　First of all, George Harrison’s live performance, his first since his television appearance in 1976, is incredibly precious, capturing some truly memorable moments. His performance of “Everybody’s Trying To Be My Baby,” a song he included in his repertoire and paid homage to during his Beatles days, is sure to excite. Clapton also shines, challenging Perkins with his guitar solo on “Mean Woman Blues,” prompting Perkins to urge him on with “One more time, Eric!” Ringo also sings and plays drums on “Matchbox,” another Beatles classic. From the middle of the song onwards, George takes the lead, and Clapton’s humble, never-overshadowing backing is delightful. With these stellar musicians supporting Perkins and even taking lead vocals, their top-notch performance is a must-see for Beatles, Clapton, and rockabilly fans!

　The performance of Perkins’s hidden gem, “Your True Love,” sung joyfully by George and accompanied by Dave Edmunds, who was also influenced by rockabilly, is wonderful, and seeing Perkins’ guitar technique on display shows just how great a guitarist he was and how much he influenced later generations of musicians. Finally, and this is a spoiler, the scene where he is touched by tears as he says, “I’ve played Blue Swede Shoes many times before, but I’ve never had as much fun as I did today,” after being warmly supported by so many younger musicians, is sure to move you.
　
★The video quality is also outstanding. It’s no exaggeration to say that this is a treasure of a video that every household should own.

1. INTRO.
2. BOPPIN’ THE BLUES (Carl Perkins with Dave Edmunds, Slim Jim Phantom, Lee Rocker, Earl Slick, Geraint Watkin, Greg Perkins)
3. PUT YOUR CAT CLOTHES ON (Carl Perkins with Dave Edmunds, Slim Jim Phantom, Lee Rocker, Earl Slick, Geraint Watkin, Greg Perkins)
4. HONEY DON’T (Carl Perkins with Ringo Starr, Dave Edmunds, Lee Rocker, Geraint Watkin, Mickey Gee, Greg Perkins)
5. MATCHBOX (Carl Perkins with Eric Clapton, Ringo Starr, Dave Edmunds, John David, Geraint Watkin, Mickey Gee)
6. MEAN WOMAN BLUES (Carl Perkins with Eric Clapton, Dave Edmunds, John David, Geraint Watkin, Mickey Gee, Dave Charles)
7. TURN AROUND (Carl Perkins with Dave Edmunds, John David, Geraint Watkin, Mickey Gee, Dave Charles)
8. JACKSON (Carl Perkins with Rosanne Cash, Dave Edmunds, John David, Geraint Watkin, Mickey Gee, Dave Charles)
9. WHAT KIND OF GIRL (Rosanne Cash with Carl Perkins, Dave Edmunds, John David, Geraint Watkin, Mickey Gee, Dave Charles)
10. EVERYBODY’S TRYING TO BE MY BABY (George Harrison with Carl Perkins, Dave Edmunds, John David, Geraint Watkin, Mickey Gee, Dave Charles)
11. YOUR TRUE LOVE (Carl Perkins with George Harrison, Dave Edmunds, John David, Geraint Watkin, Mickey Gee, Dave Charles)
12. CARL PERKINS & GEORGE’S TALK
13. THE WORLD IS WAITING FOR THE SUNRISE (Carl Perkins)
14. MEDLEY: THAT’S ALRIGHT MAMA / BLUE MOON OF KENTUCKY / NIGHT TRAIN TO MEMPHIS / AMEN (Carl Perkins with All)
15. GLAD ALL OVER (Carl Perkins with All)
16. WHOLE LOTTA SHAKIN’ GOIN’ ON (Carl Perkins with All)
17. GONE GONE GONE (Carl Perkins with All)
18. BLUE SUEDE SHOES (Carl Perkins with All)
19. BLUE SUEDE SHOES (encore) (Carl Perkins with All)
20. CARL PERKINS MESSAGE
21. END CREDIT

PRO-SHOT COLOUR NTSC Approx.57min.

Special Bonus DVDR for limited numbered stickered edition of “BLUE SUEDE SHOES :A ROCKABILLY SESSION STEREO REMIX”