Lonnie Mack: The Wham of the Memphis Man

I never would have heard of this guy if it weren't for Stevie Ray Vaughan.  He was a huge influence on Stevie and Stevie, in turn, helped Lonnie's album get re-produced on Alligator Records to be discovered by a new audience.  It's been quite a while since I've listened to

Lonnie Mack: The Wham of that Memphis Man

Sound-wise, instrumentation-wise, style-wise, this is pure 60's rock and roll Memphis style.  It's actually quite surprising given Lonnie Mack's many talents and versatility on the guitar that he wasn't a more well known, house-hold name.  If you think of some of the more well known yet mediocre players of the time it makes it even more surprising that Lonnie Mack is relatively obscure.  Unlike Dick Dale, Duane Eddy and Link Wray, Lonnie Mack is also a very competent vocalist along the likes of Ricky Nelson or Jerry Lee Lewis.  This is a great album with some real virtuosic playing, great rhythm and soul music and one that needs to be heard by more folks.

I have a newer Lonnie Mack Album, Strike Like Lightning as I believe his career experienced a resurgence due to his collaborations with SRV.  I really want to pull that one out and give it a listen but as I have to head off to the grocery store right now I'll have to leave that for another day.