Joe Fury & The Hayride - 13 Hours

Based on the Galway/Mayo borderlands, this livewire four-piece purvey a brand of frantically played, authentic-sounding 1950s rockabilly and juke-joint country. Fantastic in concert, they regularly appear at events like the Kilkenny Roots Festival and Cork Jazz Festival. Recorded live “in one room” – presumably over 13 hours! – the 11 tracks here offer a wild ride down a rockabilly highway.
‘Dance On My Worries’ showcases the pure escapism of the form and, like US revivalists BR5-49, updates the rockabilly form with punky energy. ‘Can’t Beat Me’ blends the sound and spirit of Eddie Cochrane’s ‘Twenty Flight Rock’ with Vince Taylor’s ‘Brand New Cadillac’, while ‘Feelin’ Inside’ boasts an irresistibly toe-tapping rhythmic shuffle, and a tune that recalls Graham Parker & The Rumour’s ‘Soul Shoes’. Taking things down a notch, ‘Alone To Pine’ is just acoustic guitar, with a melody reminiscent of an early Ricky Nelson ballad. A fiery version of the Link Wray’s instrumental ‘I’m Branded’ is equal parts part rockabilly and surf rocker, while ‘Fore Long’ is more country blues in a Hank Williams/ Johnny Cash style.
Closing track ‘Down In The Willow Garden’ (dedicated to the late Phil Everly) is the most pared-down tune here – just voice and acoustic guitar on an atmospheric murder ballad that proves Joe Fury & The Hayride are not stuck in a time-warp. 13 Hours is well worth checking out.

Key Track - 'Dance On My Worries'