Saturday, December 13, 2025

GENE VINCENT - Be Bop A Lula b/w Baby Blue (Capitol - France - 1978)

It is undeniable that "cool" oozed from GENE VINCENT. Clad from head to toe in black leather he knocked the hillbilly out of rock & roll and instilled a greasy, street-tough attitude that urban white teens went wild over. This 1978 French issue of a pair of his early rockers is a testament to the enduring effect his tenure with The Blue Caps had forged nearly thirty years prior to its release. "Be Bop A Lula" will forever be remembered as his signature tune. Originally released in 1956 as a B-side, it was quickly rebranded as the top deck when radio stations balked at spinning "Woman Love" due to perceived obscene lyrics. Gene's breathy, hiccupping delivery and sharp guitar drenched in deep echo combine to lend a suggestive tone to "Be Bop A Lula". Drummer, Dickie Harrell's wild screams only serve to accentuate the bawdiness. The lesser known, "Baby Blue" was a non-LP cut that was released in 1958 with the country ballad, "True To You" on the flip. The mid-tempo track is a smoldering stroller with an underlying sense of menace. The guitar has a real bite, and Gene once again generates a steamy atmosphere with his patented vocal style. 

BORN OUTTA TIME  

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