Rob Price
Gutbrain Records
rob + gutbrain.com = email

2014 January 15 • Wednesday

Here's yet another Canadian instro rock record I picked up at the last WFMU Record Fair.

The Twist isn't my favorite rhythm or concept or whatever you want to call it. It gets boring pretty quickly.

But that's what this record is about and Johnny James and His Invictas—or Johnny James et ses Invictas—do it well. Saxophone is the featured instrument on most tracks and the rhythm section is very tight.

The tune "C'est La Vie" has the band shouting out the title during a pause, inspired perhaps by "Tequila".

There are also interpretations of "Reveille" and "Greensleeves" in full-on twist mode and a cover of Bill Doggett's hit "Honky-Tonk".

"Irresistible You" and "Petit Garcon (Chattanoogie Shoe Shine Boy) are vocal numbers, still twists, and a nice contrast to the other tunes.

"Theresa" is unusual in that it's not a twist and there's no sax. Predictably it's my favorite track.