Lee Rocker - Lee Rocker Live (1999)

Anyone who went to high school in the 1980s will remember Lee Rocker as the string bass player for proto-retro-rockabilly superstars the Stray Cats. Frontman Brian Setzer cashed in on the late-'90s swing craze with his travelling big band, but Rocker has returned to his minimalist rockabilly roots. This live album finds him on-stage with two hot guitarists and a fiercely minimalist drummer, all sweating their way through a set of standards ("That's Alright Mama," "Everybody's Tryin' to Be My Baby," the Hank Williams classic "Mind Your Own Business") and originals ("Love Me Good," "Little Buster"). Guitarist Adrian DeMain is like an encyclopedia of classic rockabilly licks, and Brophy Dale pulls out the slide to nice effect on "Mind Your Own Business." Rocker's voice is surprisingly good -- better than that of his former boss, in fact. When the inevitable rockabilly craze comes along, Rocker's going to be in a great position to capitalize on it. In the meantime, rockabilly's longtime fans will love this album.