Big Boy Pete – Through The Back Door (2013)

Share this:

If there is one musician on earth capable of playing every style under the sun, moon and stars, it’s Pete Miller aka Big Boy Pete.

Having been a member of Peter Jay and the Jaywalkers, who were a fave rave in England back in the 60s, Pete subsequently launched a solo career, which continues to this day. The singer, songwriter and master of mounds of instruments, has also collaborated with a number of cool folks, including Squires of the Subterrean, Bill Bonney from the Fentones and Hilton Valentine of the Animals.

To date, Big Boy Pete has released countless albums, traveling anywhere from rockabilly to psychedelic exploration to guitar instrumentals to cute and cuddly pop. Here on his latest treasure, Through The Back Door (22 Records), he embraces the festive fumes of Zydeco music, shadowed by wickedly good rocking beats and arrangements.

Containing nothing but thigh-slapping, feet-tapping tunes, the disc bestows such a carefree and happy tenor that even the most cynical person will be transformed into a joyous being by its cheery demeanor. Awash with waltzing accordions, pinging piano expeditions and Chuck Berry meets Hank Marvin six-string licks, Through The Back Door is party central all the way. The vocals skip and spring with zeal and zest, and the melodies are taut and spicy.

Select gems heard on Through The Back Door involve the collectively catchy “Gypsy Queen,” “Dixie Darling,” “Je Taime N’Orleans“ and “Lazy Susan,” as well as the silly and quirky “Avec Cuckoo” and the swinging rhythms of “Mona,” which sounds like a bopping blend of Lawrence Welk and Bill Haley and the Comets.

Piloted by creativity, originality and tons of fun, Through The Back Door carries both a universe appeal and timeless quality, making it a stone cold classic. Slip on your dancing shoes and get ready to boogie!

[amazon_enhanced asin=”B00729WH30″ container=”” container_class=”” price=”All” background_color=”FFFFFF” link_color=”000000″ text_color=”0000FF” /] [amazon_enhanced asin=”B00001T3AZ” container=”” container_class=”” price=”All” background_color=”FFFFFF” link_color=”000000″ text_color=”0000FF” /] [amazon_enhanced asin=”B00004NKBB” container=”” container_class=”” price=”All” background_color=”FFFFFF” link_color=”000000″ text_color=”0000FF” /] [amazon_enhanced asin=”B00004Y9X6″ container=”” container_class=”” price=”All” background_color=”FFFFFF” link_color=”000000″ text_color=”0000FF” /] [amazon_enhanced asin=”B00002NDAT” container=”” container_class=”” price=”All” background_color=”FFFFFF” link_color=”000000″ text_color=”0000FF” /]

Beverly Paterson