One of the most versatile session musicians to ever come out of the U.K. guitarist / vocalist Chris Spedding's recording career has spanned over forty years. In addition to high profile work with the likes of Elton John, Roxy Music, Jack Bruce, and The Sex Pistols (he produced their first demos), Spedding also partnered with ex-Free bassist Andy Fraser in the short lived Sharks in the early 70's.
This just released, newly remastered collection from Angel Air Records entitled Just Plug Him In, which originally came out back in 1991, brings together fourteen live tracks recorded between 1977 and 1989 with a handful of different lineups. The album has been edited in such a way so that the songs quickly segue into one another which give the listener the impression they are listening to a complete concert from start to finish. The sound throughout is a bit rough around the edges, so there's a real 'bootleg' feel to these recordings, but if anything it just helps further accentuate Spedding's raw and unbridled, rockabilly assault on tracks like "Hey Miss Betty", Gunfight" and his signature track "Motorbikin", which managed to garner him a top 20 hit in the U.K. back in 1975. One of the definite highlights here is the magnificent "Guitar Jamboree", a song in which Spedding throws in snippets of some of the most recognizable riffs from Chuck Berry, Jimi Hendrix, Pete Townsend, Eric Clapton and Keith Richards to name just a few.
Just Plug Him In is a no holds barred assault from start to finish that will definitely be a wet dream for any serious guitar player. For almost an hour the listener is made to feel like they're right there in the crowd soaking up the electric spontaneity emanating from the stage. If you've never had your ears or you mind blown by the genius of Chris Spedding, all you gotta do is... just plug him in.
Track Listing
1) Gunfight
2) Walkin'
3) Catch That Train
4) Snakes and Swallowtails
5) Music Breakout
6) Who's Who
7) Silver Bullet
8) Love's Made A Fool Of You
9) Motorbikin'
10) Shakin' All Over
11) Hey Miss Betty
12) Hurt
13) Guitar Jamboree
14) Mary Lou
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