Scotty McKay "Scotty McKay Rocks"

GUEST REVIEW BY GENTLEMAN JOHN BATTLES

(Bear Family, 2020) Dallas Rocker Scotty McKay is best known today for having served a stint with Gene Vincent's Blue Caps on piano and rhythm guitar, but he had a prolific recording career of his own, and this is the first comprehensive collection of his work. Things kick off in fourth gear with his first single, "Rollin' Dynamite,” which appeared on "Desperate Rock 'n' Roll" and was later covered by Kenny and the Kasuals, and the wild rockin' sounds don't let up.Though there's only three original tunes here, McKay covers his contemporaries (Elvis, Gene Vincent, Buddy Holly, Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley and Frankie Ford) with style, flair and plenty of enthusiasm. His "Baby Let's Play House " had more slapback echo than Elvis' version, and his take on Chuck's "You Can't Catch Me" and Bo's "Who Do You Love" are real barn-burners. McKay's boss beltin' and cool croonin' are jet-propelled into overdrive by lead guitarist, Bobby Rambo (of Gene Rambo and the Flames and later the Five Americans). This 32 track collection features a bundle of singles and a half dozen wild acetates (standouts include his own "Bad Times" and ''Evenin' Time,” and his rocked up take on Julie London's "Cry Me a River" has to be heard to be believed) . Most of these tracks were recorded in the 50s, but Scotty did not slow down in the mid-sixties, cutting a killer version of Titus Turner/Little Willie John's "All Around the World (Grits Ain't Groceries),” which appeared in the schlock horror film, "Creature of Destruction,” as did the cool flipside, "Here Comes Batman,” which also appeared in "Creature,” but, sadly isn't included on on this CD. Both performances are on YouTube. Fresh off a tour with the Yardbirds, McKay cut a savage "Train Kept a-Rollin’” with Dallas garage band the Exotics (though it was long rumored that Jimmy Page played lead guitar). Scotty also did three songs in another 60s Horror film, "the Black Cat,” with Scotty and band all wearing eye patches (!), but, alas, those tracks don't appear here. Almost everything here is medium to breakneck tempo. It's the stuff, all tuff, no duff.