Notes & Personnel Info |  | Jimmy Sturr: Jimmy Sturr. | | Personnel: Frank Urbanovitch (vocals, fiddle); Johnny Karas (vocals, tenor saxophone); Al Piatkowski, Wally Czerniawski (accordion); Nick Devito, Joe Magnuszewski (clarinet, alto saxophone); Ray Barno Orchestra (clarinet, baritone saxophone); Eric Parks, Ken Harbus, Al Noble (trumpet); Keith Slattery (piano); Dennis Coyman (drums); Cheryl White, Carmella Ramsey, Dennis Wilson , Forest Borders, Allen Henson, Louis Dean Nunley (background vocals). | | Additional personnel: Duane Eddy, Larry Chance & The Earls, Alison Krauss, Willie Nelson, Lee Greenwood, Blue Highway. | | Audio Mixers: Jimmy Sturr; Ken Irwin; Joe Donofrio; Tom Pick. | | Liner Note Author: Richard Harrington. | | Recording information: Bennett Studios, Englewood Cliffs, NJ. | | Arrangers: Ray DeBrown; Henry Will. | | Learning that Jimmy Sturr watched Lawrence Welk as a child offers the central clue to understanding and appreciating his popular style of polka. While many might question the coupling of rock and polka, this is the type of schmaltz that Welk pulled off week after week on his television program (and reruns of The Lawrence Welk Show still run on PBS). Sturr, in fact, has more or less taken Welk's place, and has even received a modicum of respect from those outside his field. This respect can be measured on Rock 'N Polka by the presence of several high-profile guests including Willie Nelson and Alison Krauss. Nelson, in fact, is something of a co-star here, delivering versions of "Since I Met You Baby," "Singing the Blues," and "Bye Bye Love." Still, this is an album for Sturr fans, not country and bluegrass fans. It's difficult to imagine Lee Greenwood's version of "Personality" reviving his career, or Duane Eddy's new version of "Rebel Rouser" impressing rock critics. For those who like their polka without any artistic embellishments, Rock 'N Polka will be the best thing since Pat Boone recorded heavy metal. Now all Sturr needs is his own TV program. ~ Ronnie D. Lankford, Jr. |
Producer: Ken Irwin; Joe Donofrio; Tom Pick; Ken Irwin; Joe Donofrio; Tom Pick |
Engineer: Tom Pick; Mark Capps |
Musical Guests | | Lee Greenwood | | Duane Eddy | | Willie Nelson | | Alison Krauss |
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