One of the most eccentric rock’n’roll stars is certainly Jerry Lee Lewis. Born back in 1935, he has revealed his talent very early playing the piano and developing his own uniqye style of singing that later became a classic rock and roll. His name always stands in one row with such legends as Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash and Carl Perkins, who together with Lewis comprised a conventional band called Million Dollar Quartet. Today of all only Jerry is still alive, which is quite wonderful considering his debauchery and drug addiction that throughout his life has never stopped. Nevertheless, the audience adores the charismatic artist as before, and the critics always give a warm welcome any of his new creations. This year, marking the singer’s 71st birthday, new record Last Man Standing has seen the light of the day, and listening to it one can be sure that it is not the singer’s last work for his voice is still full of life energy. Jerry Lee Lewis has collected a great team of famous rock and country singers to support him on Last Man Standing, and it is quite obvious each of them has been enjoying himself working with the live legend. There would be little arguing that Last Man Standing is the most significant and one of the best rock albums of the year.
Jerry Lee Lewis’ vocals have preserved their power, and what is more important, on each of the tracks the singer plays the leading part, sometimes even reducing the guest’s performance to the back vocals. Of course, Last Man Standing attracts with such brilliant artists that duet with Lewis, and also the record contains a good deal of cover versions of earlier popular songs. The album opens with a Led Zeppelin song Rock And Roll, on which Jimmy Page adds a great guitar solo. Bruce Springsteen lets Jerry do the whole of his song Pink Cadillac himself, contenting only with performing the back vocals and he sounds very happy, encouraging Lewis: ‘Come on now, Killer!’ Mick Jagger and Ronnie Wood join the singer on a country hit Evening Gown, and a delightful song Sweet Little Sixteen is refined by the recognizable voice of Ringo Starr. Actually, there is a classic of The Beatles on the album, I Saw Her Standing There, but Jerry has decided that Little Richard would better sing it with him, and it has been quite justified, especially on chorus. A nice surprise for today’s youth is the presence of Kid Rock on another country composition Honky Tonk Woman, one of the best covers on the album, and Hadacol Boogie performed with Buddy Guy is rather a bluesy track. A more upbeat and joyful song is optimistic Don’t Be Ashamed Of Your Age, on which Lewis does not trade lines with George Jones, who baits Jerry when he tries to take a high note. There are a lot of funny and interesting moments on Last Man Standing, but on every track Lewis’ personality really shines.
To understand Jerry Lee Lewis’ music completely it is necessary to know what kind of person he is. He has always been an unusual man, and so were his jokes and behavior. Once Elvis Presley invited Jerry to a party at his place, but forgot to warn the guards at the gates. When Jerry appeared there the guards asked him what he wanted, and the witty singer showed him his gun and said he had come to kill the rock’n’roll King. Probably because of that case Jerry’s nickname is The Killer. Another story that shocked the audience was his marriage to his thirteen-year-old cousin once removed. Lewis has had five wives all in all, and today he is single again. Nevertheless, he is one of America’s favorites, and though some of his pranks did spoil his reputation, he has always remained himself and his openness cannot be underestimated. Many geniuses have had a character even worse than that of Lewis’, but little of them have managed to live up to the seventh decade. Last Man Standing is not just a new collection of famous hits and a couple of new songs. This is a unique recording of what such an experienced and emotional man can do when many have already practically said good-bye to him. Unrivaled Jerry Lee Lewis is still standing and nothing can prevent him from continuing shock us further.
Hit ParadeThere has been a great amount of most varied songs, but only this year the singer has decided to make the first compilation of his creations and released album Hit Parade which includes Paul Weller and his bands' most famous singles and hits