Darrell Bath – Roll Up

Darrell Bath released his latest album Roll Up via Livewire/Cargo Records last month. Darrell is an accomplished guitarist, singer and songwriter having played with many well known Punk/Rock bands including stints in UK Subs, and The Dogs D’Amour contributing to their 1993 release “More Unchartered Heights of Disgrace“. He appeared on the Grammy-nominated album “Ian Hunter’s Dirty Laundry“ and has recorded albums with the late Nikki Sudden and Spike (The Quireboys).  He formed The Crybabys with Honest John Plain and has for the past two years or so been out touring with The Vibrators. Taking a break from touring he’s recorded his latest album Roll Up with bassist Chris McDougall and Crybabys’ drummer Robbie Rushton.

One thing that struck me on first listen was the strong Cockney twang to Darrell’s singing voice throughout the album. Most singers seem to drop any accent when singing but Darrell’s was obvious, nothing wrong with singing with an accent think Tommy Steele, most singers seem to lose any accent in their speaking voice when they sing. Opening track Dancin’ with The Devil’s Goombah (Goombah being mafia slang for mistress) was like a cross between The Rolling Stones think Honky Tonky Woman  or Start Me Up and the late David Bowie’s John, I’m Only Dancing. It’s In The Music a mellow song with a gentle beat reminiscent of Jealous Again by The Black Crowes. Dirty Rocky Road had a country vibe, Slimline Jim, a Hawaiin vibe. Clingin’ On another mellow one. In an Eye For An Eye, the longest track on the album, at nearly seven and a half minutes duration, I thought of Spike Gray and some of the songs on his album 100% Pure Frankie Miller. That’s not to say Darrell was singing with a Geordie accent! Muppets we’ll come to at the end. Rat Palace reminded me of Sunny Afternoon by The Kinks with a bit of a Black Crowes undertone. Man/Monkey with a bit of mouth organ in places was like a slower Mayfair by The Quireboys.

My favourite track was Muppets, with it’s T. Rex Get It On meets New York Dolls’ Looking For a Kiss flavour. When I was a young girl Muppets meant only one thing, a TV show featuring Kermit The Frog and Miss Piggy, it’s since become a common term for an idiot or incompetent person (see here). If you listen to the lyrics Kermit, Miss Piggy and an assortment of muppets get a mention, so both definitions are covered in the lyrics, and I took the chance to ask who Darrell’s favourite muppet was, when he was a guest on The Dark Heart of Camden‘s radio show. Why? Why not? I didn’t really get chance to ask much but I was (un)reliably informed that his favourite muppet was Kermit and he likes Grover too!

Roll Up is the perfect names for this album as it has elements of some of the greatest Rock ‘n’ Roll Bands such as The Rolling Stones, The Kinks, The Black Crowes, T. Rex and New York Dolls sprinkled with some cockney spices and all rolled up into one big fat joint!

Track List:

1: Dancin’ With The Devil’s Goombah
2: It’s In The Music
3: Dirty Rocky Road
4: Slimline Jim
5: Clingin’ On
6: Eye For An Eye
7: Muppets
8: Rat Palace
9: Man/Monkey

Band Members:

Darrell Bath – Guitar/Vocals
Robbie Rushton – Drums
Chris McDougall – Bass

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/darrellbath1/

A snippet of the song “It’s In The Music” can be found on You Tube: –