Born To Rock (1989)/ Perkins, Carl

As one of the prime architects of rockabilly, Carl Perkins has had an impact on singing, songwriting and mostly guitar playing. Born to Rock, his first LP of new material in years, is an album for both the faithful and those just discovering him. Born to Rock isn’t on the level of his Fifties triumphs for Sun or Sixties successes for Columbia, but it shows the master still willing to get his hands dirty. Unlike many early rockers who coast through contractual-obligation records with glazed indifference, Perkins sounds feverishly interested in the ten tracks here. Born to Rock shows Perkins summoning up intense performances that are both dignified and open-eyed. The vocal fireworks are most noticeable on the bluesycountry tunes like “Till I Couldn’t Stand No More” and “Love Makes Dreams Come True,” but rockers like “Charlene” compel Perkins to dust off his guitar and discover new lanes on long-traveled roads. (Rolling Stone)|