Elgart Au Go-Go

The hit track "Thunder Shake" is something of a signature tune for the Elgart "au go-go" period. The same approach, which seems to be to out power Warren Kime's brass impact on Command, makes for a very interesting interpretation of the Batman theme on the next album. After the always annoying "Downtown" and a nice cover of "Meditation" with solo by brother Larry, "Come Rain or Come Shine" combines all the previous elements in a soulful, catlike creeper. Banjo fails to save mod standard "King of the Road," and "Jerkin' Around" is more of a tiptoe. "G'Won Train," a hit for The Champs, shows how much more suitable a rock tune is than the older standards. "The First Man's Theme" is more banjo, Vaudeville nonsense arranged by Marty Manning. ~ Tony Wilds