string(3) "dev" Link Wray - Law Of The Jungle - Ace Records

Law Of The Jungle Link Wray

£11.50

Genre:
Instrumentals
Label:
Ace Records
Format:
CD
Catalogue Id:
CDCHD 837

Link Wray never disappoints. This CD contains classic Swan 45s, rarities and seven stunning previously unreleased stereo mixes from the original Swan label multi-tracks

In the scheme of things, Link Wray occupies a spot well above cult status and some way below Superstar level, and that's the way he likes it. "Maybe if I'd had the right Superstar push behind me then I'd have had more success," he once remarked, "but then I wouldn't have my freedom, I wouldn't be an eagle. I want to be like the eagles, to be free and do my own thing."

Between 1963 and 1967, Link recorded for the Swan label of Philadelphia, usually under the skillful direction of his elder brother Vernon, professionally known as Ray Vernon. A self-taught sound engineer and producer, Ray ran his own recording studio in Washington DC which allowed Link the luxury of working in sympathetic if markedly functional surroundings.

After a decade playing together, the nucleus of Link's band comprising his younger brother, Doug, on the drums and Shorty Horton on bass, had developed an almost telepathic empathy. For much of that time, Ray Vernon had sat in on second guitar and vocals adding to the rapport between the four men. They were cohesive but never dull, as the wild, woolly and frequently jagged sounds heard on this CD attest.

Aside from a carefully programmed selection of Swan 45s, little heard cuts from their only Swan LP and other rarities (some of which were previously only available on our two vinyl LPs), there are 7 stunning previously unissued stereo re-mixes of classics such as Ace Of Spades and Heartbreak Hotel taken directly from the original multi-tracks. These sound as though they were recorded yesterday and are probably worth the price of the CD alone. Most notable is Link's interpretation of the Beatles' Please Please Me, scheduled for release on a Swan 45 in 1965 but withdrawn at the last moment before eventually appearing on Rollercoaster's Swan Singles collection in 1998. We've included an earlier take in glorious stereo (complete with studio chat) which is noticeably more visceral than the final master.

Widely acknowledged as the Godfather of Grunge, Link Wray has survived four decades of prevailing trends in popular music to become an American music legend. He never disappoints.

By Rob Finnis

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Track listing

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Side 1

Delivery & Returns

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We use Royal Mail First Class for UK deliveries and standard Air Mail for all other territories, very large orders will usually be sent via parcelforce. You may cancel your order at any time prior to your order being dispatched by emailing us at orders@acerecords.com ensuring that you quote your name, address and order reference number or by telephoning +44 (0) 208 453 1311 between 9am and 5pm GMT/BST, Monday to Friday. Please note: As music downloads are dispatched immediately after purchase, there is no possibility of cancelling these orders.

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You have the right to cancel your order within seven days of purchase, or seven days of receipt of the goods (whichever is the longer). If you choose to cancel your order, full payment will be returned to you. Returned items should be sent to: “Returns” c/o Bus Stop Mail Order Ltd, 42-50 Steele Road, London, NW10 7AS. Music downloads should be returned to us via the email address: orders@acerecords.com including a copy of your notice of cancellation and order number.

Press quotes

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A superb collection that brings together singles, unreleased alternative takes, demos and stereo tracks from the Epic era...this instrumental package is quite essential.

Record Collector


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