Frank Virtue & the Virtues - RockFamous as the 'Guitar Boogie Shuffle' man and reduced to this top 10 hit, Bear Family's compilation shows how Frank Virtue and his Virtues could really rock and roll back then (1953 1965) ! This CD describes Frank's evolution from R&B and Northern band sound to an instrumental virtuoso. Rare early recordings with the Esquire Boys and hits like 'Guitar Boogie Shuffle' or titles like 'Guitar In Orbit' and 'Flippin' In'. Rarities like his cover versions

a dialogue between the voice of the cello and the piano

being very much aware of what they are doing

Johannes Brahms and César Franck

which came out in February 2021

These songs evoke memories of my mother playing her Martin parlor guitar and of my father

and the album's reputation and it's' lasting influence on generations of musicians cannot be understated

Flutes rather than recorders are used in No

Inspired by rappers such as Lil Yachty

composed in 1772

and Devo's Mark Mothersbaugh all get the Dragon Inn 3 treatment on this fantastic 3-song 7" release

which until then had been a rather insignificant coal-mining town

as a result