Ol' Blue Suede's Back

AMG Review of Ol' Blue Suede's Back

Thom Jurek
All Music Guide

Carl Perkins' 1978 album Ol' Blue Suede's Back was originally planned to be a concept album, narrated track by track by Perkins himself. The way it was originally issued, it felt just like Perkins playing the great ock hits of yesteryear. In the context of the CD that now includes the previously unreleased narration, it is a revelation and a lesson in ock & roll history. Playing in his own inimitable ockabilly style, Perkins runs through the hits from Hank Williams, Bill Haley, Elvis, Jerry Lee, Little Richard, Chuck Berry, Gene Vincent, and more. Produced by the legendary Felton Jarvis, the band included David Briggs, Weldon Myrick, Mike Leech, the Jordanaires, and others. Musically, this is as inspired as Perkins ever got. His guitar sound is stinging due to a chorus effects box he was carrying with him on tour at the time. Recorded and released less than a year after Elvis Presley's death, Ol' Blue Suede's Back is not only a credible but a formidable ockabilly and early ock & roll history, presented by one of its founding fathers in truly woolly style.