A couple years ago, Dirty Water Records became one of my all-time favorite record labels because they regularly put out some of the best greasy and trashy rock-n-soul you’d find anywhere. This compilation came out last year, and shame on me for not nabbing this one sooner. This compilation includes four bands – Hipbone Slim and the Knee Tremblers, Louie and the Louies, The Kneejerk Reactions, and The Legs – all of whom have the same vocalist. Call him Hipbone Slim, call him Sir Bald Diddley. Whatever you do, call him one of the best rock n roll vocalists out there.

The album kicks off with “King Tut Strut,” which is a little like “Camel Walk” by Southern Culture on the Skids. It has that same faux-Egyptian guitar tone and this one has an intro that sounds like the beginning of a surf tune. And that’s a pretty good summary of what to expect throughout the album. It’s surf, 60s garage, rockabilly, caveman rock, and track after track of good old-fashioned rock n roll baby! On this album, Sir Bald reminds me of Buddy Holly (“Time to Kill”),  Screamin’ Jay Hawkins (“Ooga Booga Rock”), and Hasil Adkins (“The Twitch”). I don’t know about you, but I think that’s a pretty good trinity.

I won’t sit here and run down every song for you, partly because there are 40 songs on this compilation. But here’s the thing: my five-year-old sound hound loves this. And I don’t mean to brag, but the kid knows good stuff. For example, on a recent trip to Barnes and Noble (sadly, our nearest place to buy CDs), he chose Humble Pie Live at The Fillmore. If you like rock n roll (and if you don’t…well, that’s just inconceivable) , you’ll dig this offering from Dirty Water.