Band : Nosey Joe & The Pool Kings

Album title : Tunes From The Bighouse

Label : Heptown

Distributor : Sonic Rendezvous (Evil Bitch 666 Promotion)

Release date : 02/05/2008

Release : CD

Sweden is apparently a good country for musical revivalists. Posted at the same time as this, you'll also find reviews of Astrolites and The Buckshots (which incidently are all out on Hepcat ). I've no real idea when this nine-piece Swing/ Rock 'n' Roll act from the seaside city of Oxelösund (situated smack in the middle of Stockholm and Linkoping, and some 20 kms from Nykoping) first started out, but they already made their self-titled debut on het Enviken label (specialised in Rockabilly, but will release anything that can be put under the "Rock 'n' Roll" banner) in 2003. Meanwhile, the band has upped their profile, as they are now on Hepcat , who released the sophomore album somewhere last year (can't say exactly when).

Thanks to their extended line-up, which not only includes the classic singer/ guitarist/ bassist/ drummer [positions held respectively by former Snakepit Rebels frontman Ubbe Rydeslätt , Totte B. (played guitar on The Go Getters ' debut album), Mika S. (formerly a member of Knock-Out Greg And The Blue Weather ), and Mats W. ) but also a piano player ( Joel L. ) - very important, that piano, in the overall sound! – and a 4-piece horn section known as Johnny Blue Orchestra (trumpetist David L. , tenor sax & clarinet player Björn D. , alto sax player Lasse J. , and baritone sax player Lasse K. )], the outfit is tótally able to reproduce the sound which was so typical for the 50's "Big Band" outfits.

Their music is strongly drenched in Swing, Rhythm & Blues, and some Rockabilly, and their own originals (apparently written for the most part by the frontman) fits in perfectly with cover songs "Sapphire" (written by JacK Hammer of "Great Balls Of Fire" fame, it was first sung by the relatively unknown but highly appreciated Big Danny Oliver , and the song was rendered immortal in its version by Little Richard ) and "Ghost Riders In The Sky" [which has had Billboard notations during 1949 in versions by other artists – Peggy Lee (#2), Bing Crosby (#14), Burl Ives (the very first version reaching only #21), The Ramrods (1961, #), The Baja Marimba Band (1966, #52), The Outlaws (1988, #31) since it first hit #1 in its 1949 version by Vaughn Monroe . It has since been covered by some 50 artists, including The Blues Brothers , Johnny Cash , Dick Dale , Spike Jones , The Shadows ...the most modern being Spiderbait , Impaled Nazarene , Me First And The Gimme Gimmes , Dezperados , and Children Of Bodom (on their upcoming album Blooddrunk) ]. Frankly, I find Nosey Joe 's version of "Ghost Riders In The Sky" to be the weak spot on this album, as somehow Rydeslätt 's voice does not quíte fit that particular song. A moment which is certainly noted is the participation of one Lil' Linn for the duet vocals on the light - hearted "Knock Knock".

If you're into retro Rock, you'll check out myspace.com/noseyjoe for Tunes From The Bighouse 's opening tracks "Sapphire" and "Drink" , and also listen to two more songs off the debut album. With their sound, this band should be a treat to experience on stage. In further news, Nosey Joe & The Pool Kings have contributed a song to the soundtrack of Danish movie Boys And Girls Dance . Should widen their audience somewhat!

85/100

Tony.