Bo Peep and the Backbeats are a rockabilly swing band based in Phoenix Arizona consisting of Christie aka Peep on vocals, Doc Screamer on upright bass, Mark Flynn on drums and Pat Roberts on guitar, playing ‘50s’ Chart-Toppers with a splash of Shim Sham.’ The album is choc-a-block with wonderful cover versions delivered with a sense of effortless superiority predicated on some exceptional musicianship.

‘Chills and Fever’ is a very jazzy stroller, that exudes atmospheric tension, with some really, delightful guitar-playing. The vocal on this track is also very strong though it doesn’t feature the successive key changes that John Lewis has mastered so well.

‘It’s Your Voodoo Working’ continues in the same vein with terrific interplay between guitar and saxophone.

‘Rockabilly Fever’, a cover of a song by Wanda Jacksonbut, has terrific lead guitar playing that embellishes the song in a subtle but very effective fashion, with the riff of ‘Mystery Train’ being played adroitly.

‘Catty Town’ is a very tidy cover of the Pee Wee King original. It has a lovely vocal.

 ‘Rock The Bop’ has a very nice groove, with splendid interplay between the guitar and saxophone. This is a goodie.

‘Sweet Baby of Mine’ is a very sultry number that is trenched in wonderful reverb.

‘Burnt Toast and Black Coffee’ is a lovely stroller, with delicate jazzy guitar and an understated saxophone.

‘My Boy Elvis’ a cover of the Janice Martin classic is handled very deftly.

‘Jim Dandy’ is a stripped back take on the Laverne Baker classic.

‘Lil Lady Gone Rockin’ is a charming little ditty.

I’m Gonna Have Myself A Ball’ is quite a groovy number driven along by some delightful guitar lines.

‘Mercy’ is a good straight-forward upbeat number.

‘Do Right Mama’ has a tremendous groove thanks to the train beat played with brushes on the snare, a nice bit of double bass, and once again, fabulous guitar playing.

 ‘The Lonely Kind’ is transformed by the superb guitar playing that is such a feature of this album.

‘Tick Tock Daddy’ is a delight, wonderful guitar and vocals are paired over a cool little melody.

‘Shake a Leg’ This features a nice shuffle, and a lovely guitar solo!

This is a cracking album that can easily wash over you, but it affords repeated listens. The guitar-playing is exceptional and the band, as a whole, is very good. I recommend it heartily.

Nick Kemp

Buy a copy of ‘Smells Like Rockabilly’ here