I don't know enough about this guy to comment on whether he was considered a virtuoso piano player. Certainly from this recording, any competent player would not be daunted to replicate his trademark key smashes and hand-heeled glissando. The range of roles a piano can play in a band extends from the almost toneless attack that earned it its place in the percussion section of the orchestra all the way to the furthest reaches of harmonic complexity and in this band, the piano is definitely closer to a drum kit than a voice.
As with the other live recordings from this time, the acoustics of the room have been captured and the ambient audience noises provide the subtle details in an aural picture that makes you feel like you were present.
It's a big sound and full of energy, unrelenting and driven. His presence as a performer is tangible as he stamps, hammers and swoops thru these rock n roll showstoppers. In the 47 albums preceding this, I have heard nothing like it before and I have to assume that when he emerged in 1954 (according to wikipedia) that nobody else had either. Of course, my perception is polluted by the more than 50 years of musical influences that followed this so I can't truly imagine what it must've been like for people to be hearing this for the first time. But I can well understand why its urgent power would be arresting.
I don't think it's something I'm going to come back to that often. Perhaps a couple of tracks might make it onto an oldy-worldy mix tape but it does all rather blend into one. It's the sort of music I'd dance to rather than listen to intently. But it does sound great and is enjoyable for as long as it remains interesting.
Love this album. After his underage cousin loving outrage he had to go back to small venues and this just kicks flabby buttocks. Found it on vinyl at an Amsterdam market stall.
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