Dave Edmunds - Rockpile (1972)

"Rockpile" was the first solo album by Dave Edmunds, released in 1972. It is principally focused on remakes of late 1950s and early 1960s hits, with a few new songs included. Edmunds plays almost all the instruments except for bass and backing vocals, which are contributed by John Williams, Edmunds' former bandmate in Love Sculpture. The album included a 1970 British #1 and worldwide Top 10 single, "I Hear You Knocking". A 2001 reissue of the album includes both sides of Edmunds' three pre-album singles as bonus tracks.
Dave Edmunds' debut album Rockpile established his sound -- not only his revivalist tendencies, but also his method of meticulously recreating the sound and style of classic early rock & roll, R&B, and country records. Edmunds plays nearly every instrument on the album, with bassist John Williams being the only full-time collaborator. As a result, the record doesn't sound "live," it has a pinched, precise quality that may contradict the spontaneity that was at the core of the original singles, but it does offer an otherworldly quality that makes the record distinctive. Take the hit "I Hear You Knocking," which has a mechanical rhythm and a weird, out-of-phase vocal that qualifies as an original interpretation, unlike his by-the-book take on Chuck Berry's "The Promised Land," which suffers from the stiff rhythms. Still, the best moments on Rockpile come from songs like "Down, Down, Down," an obscure gem that manages to recreate not only the sound, but the feeling of classic rock & roll, perhaps because Edmunds wasn't concerned with recreating one of his beloved singles. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine Nobody has ever gotten a better rock guitar sound than Dave Edmunds did on his early to mid 1970's LPs. He crafted a tight, ballsy guitar sound intertwining several layered guitars to give an overall punchy six string effect. I remember reading an earlier review of one of these LPs where the term "guitar salad" was used. Very apt. Edmunds is also a first-rate singer as his performances on this LP attest. He can hit the high notes with feeling as well as any singer since Don Everly. The tune choice is consistent and there are no real "dogs" on this LP.

Track List:

01. "Down Down Down" (Trevor Burton) - 2:52
02. "I Hear You Knocking" (Dave Bartholomew, Pearl King) - 2:48
03. "Hell of a Pain" (John Williams, Dave Edmunds) - 2:55
04. "It Ain't Easy" (Ron Davies) - 3:11
05. "Promised Land" (Chuck Berry) - 2:37
06. "Dance Dance Dance" (Neil Young) - 2:58
07. "(I'm a) Lover Not a Fighter" (Ron Collier) - 3:33
08. "Egg or the Hen" (Willie Dixon) - 4:15
09. "Sweet Little Rock & Roller" (Chuck Berry) - 2:39
10. "Outlaw Blues" (Bob Dylan) - 5:09

Bonus Tracks: (2001 reissue)
11. "I Hear You Knocking" (single mix) (Bartholomew, King) - 2:48
12. "Black Bill" (Dave Edmunds) - 3:09
13. "I'm Coming Home" (arr. Dave Edmunds) - 3:02
14. "Country Roll" (Dave Edmunds) - 3:11
15. "Blue Monday" (Dave Bartholomew, Fats Domino) - 2:51
16. "I'll Get Along" (John Williams) - 2:50

Released: January 1972
Recorded: 1970-1971 at Rockfield Studios, Wales
Genre: Rock and roll
Label: Regal Zonophone
Producer: Dave Edmunds

Personnel:
Dave Edmunds - vocals, guitars, bass, keyboards, drums
John Williams - bass, backing vocals
Andy Fairweather-Low - guitar and drums on "Egg or the Hen"
Terry Williams - drums on "Down Down Down" and "Outlaw Blues"
B.J.Cole - pedal steel guitar on "Down Down Down", "Dance Dance Dance" and "Outlaw Blues"