Thanks to Tim Morse for this review -
5/27 Rhythm Room, Phoenix, AZ
Link played to a full house.
"Flathead" opened the night, they were good - lead
guitarist's Telecaster was cooking. Then came the Cadillac Angels, Phil
Dirt of Reverb central loves these guys....I think Flathead beat the
Angels. Before Link came on Oliver set up a video camera to catch all the
action. (Hopefully for a DVD release)
Link came on stage and charged hard with Rumble, Raw
Hide, It Was So Easy, King Creole; but he had some trouble with his sound
throughout the set. The amp he was playing through was not his typical
Marshall head and cab, but a boutique amp brought in that caused some
problems. Link switched out his Strats
a number of times to get his sound going. At one point Link sang God
Bless America - a cappella! Link announced his appreciation
for Dick Clark...he yelled " without Dick Clark there would be no Link
Wray!" and before starting into Run Chicken Run gave a jab to Kurt Cobain
for pinching the melody of Run Chicken Run.
He continued with Batman, Ace of Spades, Jack the
Ripper, Branded. I think because of his dislike for his equipment set up
he brought up a friend and fellow guitar player " Alexander" and went into
an extended blues jam....about 40 mins. The back up band was first rate -
I feel the best he could of hired. Link finished up with Rumble dropped
his guitar and made his exit......Alexander shouted praises for Link---"
Link Wray ladies and gentleman, the king of surf, punk rock and
instrumental guitar!!!" Alexander gets the MVP award for keeping the show
going.