A truly great TV Special performance form a truly professional and genuinely nice Rock 'n' Roll pioneer - Carl Perkins.
It's great that this classic show has finally got it's DVD release so that it can be savoured by future generations to experience the origins of 'Rockabilly' music from a legend from the Sun Records era. An all-star musical ensemble including Dave Edmunds, Eric Clapton, George Harrison, Ringo Starr and two of the members of the 'Stray Cats' ignite this celebration of what would have been the 30th Anniversary of Carl's classic hit "Blue Suede Shoes".
This show was recorded at Limehouse Studios in London in 1985 and is a wonderful record of just how great a musician and performer Mr. Perkins was. It's fabulous to see the adulation that the likes of Dave Edmunds and especially George Harrison bestow upon the man whilst performing at his side. All his classic hits are here including the very first song he recorded at Sam Phillips' Sun Studios in Memphis. The other great highlights include a rousing version of "Honey Don't" by Ringo Starr, a foxy performance by Rosanne Cash - Johnny's Daughter, some wild drumming from Slim Jim Phantom and some double-bass beating licks from Lee Rocker. And that's Carl's son, Greg on guitar too!
A great segment during the show has everybody seated on stage with their relevant instruments and taking part in what Carl refers to as his 'School of Rock'. We are then taken on another trip down Rock's memory lane as the group pay homage to the sound of the man who made Rockabilly music an art form in itself - Carl's ol' buddy, Elvis Presley.
"Carl Perkins & Friends" is an emotional event and will have you cheering and dancing in the aisles just like the TV audience at the finale - Long Live the music of Mr. Perkins!
