Link Wray - Barbed Wire (2000)

Widely acknowledged as the Godfather of Grunge and the inventor of the power chord, Link Wray has survived four decades of prevailing trends in popular music to become an American music legend. On this CD Link reveals the full scope of his musical roots.

It's almost four years since the release of Link's last album Shadowman, so this new offering will be eagerly snapped up by his many fans worldwide. It's a tasty gumbo cooked up from a variety of Link's many musical influences. Ranging from powerhouse rock'n'roll to delicate instrumental acoustic guitar workouts, the album also contains a couple of definitive live recordings including a long-time Wray favourite, Fire, which was written for Link and Robert Gordon by Bruce Springsteen.

Over the years Link, who makes no secret of his admiration for Elvis Presley, has developed a strong singing voice which complements his unique guitar style. Inevitably many of his vocal performances provide ample evidence of this Presley fascination, delivering eerily authentic echoes of early Elvis.

On the new album, Link pays tribute to Elvis with wild and rocking versions of Tiger Man and Jailhouse Rock, as well as chilling out with wonderfully soulful renditions of Young And Beautiful and Home Is Where The Heart Is.

This does not mean that the guitar freaks among you are neglected as this album contains six new instrumentals including a savage studio recording of Barbed Wire (a close relation to Run, Chicken, Run) as well as a thunderous live version of Rumble which was recorded during Link's great gig at The Garage in Islington on his last visit to the UK in 1997. Widely hailed as the Godfather of Grunge and the inventor of the Power Chord, Link Wray has survived four decades of prevailing trends in popular music to become an American music legend. Buy This!!

By Ted Carroll