Link Wray (album)

Link Wray is the self-titled 1971 album by pioneer Rock & Roll guitarist, and Shawnee Indian Link Wray. The album was recorded in an old chicken shack on Wray's Maryland farm, and is a passionate blend of Blues, Country, and Folk rock elements. The music is characterized by the purposeful use of simplified sounds to reflect the then-current vogue of blues and other "root" music being used in many rock bands. The recording included the use of a shaken can of pebbles as part of the percussion on several tracks. Still, Wray's guitar-work, composing and vocals reflected modern rock influences. Despite publicity from radio stations and print media in the Washington area, the album did not do well in national sales. The standout tracks are "La De Da", "Fallin' Rain", "Fire and Brimstone", and "Tail Dragger".

The Neville Brothers later covered "Fire and Brimstone" on their album Yellow Moon, while Americana band Calexico covered "Fallin' Rain" on a Special Edition of their album Feast of Wire.

Track listing

1. "La De Da" (Steve Verroca) - 4:04
2. "Take Me Home Jesus" (Steve Verroca) - 3:21
3. "Juke Box Mama" (Steve Verroca) - 4:29
4. "Rise and Fall of Jimmy Stokes" (Steve Verroca) - 4:02
5. "Fallin' Rain" (Link Wray) - 3:44
6. "Fire and Brimstone" (Link Wray) - 4:21
7. "Ice People" (Link Wray) - 3:03
8. "God Out West" (Steve Verroca) - 3:54
9. "Crowbar" (Link Wray) - 4:48
10. "Black River Swamp" (Link Wray) - 3:58
11. "Tail Dragger" (Willie Dixon) - 4:32

Personnel

• Link Wray - guitar, vocals
• Doug Wray - guitar, drums, percussion, vocals
• Bobby Howard - mandolin, piano
• Bill Hodges - organ, percussion, vocals
• Steve Verroca - drums, percussion, vocals

Production

• Producer: Steve Verroca/Ray Vernon
• Recording Engineer: Ray Vernon/Chuck Irwin
• Mixing: Chuck Irwin