Rockin' Bonnie

REVIEW BY ANDREW SMITH FOR UK ROCK MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2009 ISSUE:



Rockin’ Bonnie and her band, the wonderfully named ‘The Rot Gut Shots’ have finally launched their debut release on El Toro records. Formed in 2006 and consisting of consummate musicians from across the spectrum, this Italian based combo is fronted by Sabrina, aka Rockin’ Bonnie. Bonnie is another in a line of first class vocalists in the same ilk as Miss Mary Ann, Sue Moreno and Ruby Ann.



A cocktail is an ideal word to describe the musical styles of this compilation, taking influence from Hillbilly, Western Swing, Boogie Woogie and Rockabilly. And it’s not all familiar songs, with several Massimo Zampini penned tunes, cleverly inserted between classic covers. The CD grabs the attention with a fantastic take on ‘Bell Bottom Boogie’, and bounces along with up tempo foot tappers such as ‘I’m Hurtin’ Again’ and ‘Kitty Kay Corner’, ‘Juke Box Blues’ and ‘I Wanna Make Love’ is a cover that has a great jive beat. Charline Arthur’s ’53 cracker ‘I Heard About You’ is given the European edge with and excellent vocal and accompaniment.



The pace does slow occasionally, and halfway through the CD is a super Zampini composition ‘I Love Booze’, which I defy anyone to not have a smile while listening, and the same writer produces a great bopper with ‘I Start Messin’ Around’.



A personal favourite of mine is the version of Bob Luman’s ‘Bring Along Your Lovin’, however this track is a first among equals.



It would be difficult to accurately categorise this CD, and place it in any specific genre, and largely pointless to do so. What you do have here is a first class, well packaged and equally well conceived debut CD that has been worth the waiting with a variation of tracks with maybe the slightest lean toward the western side. A Jubilee is synonymous with a celebration, and this is indeed a celebration in it’s fifteen tracks. It’s one you should put in the ‘play often and enjoy always’ category.