Rocky de Valera and The Gravediggers: The Best Of 1980-83

The Rhythm Kings provided the perfect antidote to the doom and gloom of early ’80s Ireland. Irreverent at times but always entertaining and with considerable musical firepower in their ranks, they almost completely ignored the then prevailing post-punk zeitgeist, instead harking back to the spirit of early rock and roll and ‘60s garage pop.
On this comprehensive 20-track collection, they revisit many former glories, including their brilliant early singles, along with previously unreleased radio sessions, demos and live cuts. Where to start? ‘Baby Don’t You Worry ‘Bout A Thing’, arguably their finest hour, holds up particularly well as does the hilarious ‘John Wayne’ (produced by current Bowie guitarist, Gerry Leonard). Old live favourites, the singles ‘Hey Hey Holly’ and ‘Going Steady’ are also included.

Despite their defiantly retro approach, The Rhythm Kings were ahead of their time in some respects: the guitar textures on ‘How Come I Was The Last To Know’ have a Johnny Marr / Smiths feel (‘Hand In Glove’ anyone?); meanwhile, in bringing forgotten gems such as ‘Ain’t Got No Home’ and ‘Drip Drop’ to the masses, they predated the roots revival that would arrive later in the ’80s in the shape of Los Lobos and others. Other gems on this nostalgia-fest include B-sides ‘Fast Girls’, ‘Want Ad Blues’ and ‘When You’re Dancing‘ while a live-in-Galway cut, ‘Let’s Roll’, finds Ferdia MacAnna (Rocky) almost outdoing Graham Parker in the white soul vocals department.
In truth, you really did have to be there – but this is the next best thing! Savour it...