Let's Get Wild [Bear Family]

Illustrators: Klaus Kettner; Diethold Leu; R.A. Andreas; Nico Feuerbach; Rudy Grayzell; Billy Miller .
Photographers: Klaus Kettner; Diethold Leu; R.A. Andreas; Nico Feuerbach; Rudy Grayzell; Billy Miller .
A born showman and singer, Rudy Grayzell came out of San Antonio in the early '50s with a killer blend of R&B and country that was a seamless fit with the growing rock & roll boom. (He also gave a brief place in his band to a pre-teenaged Doug Sahm.) Bear Family's lengthy Grayzell compilation, Let's Get Wild, rounds up nearly three-dozen sides from his short stints with a host of labels (including Capitol, Starday and Sun). Grayzell's performances were wooly and wild, a great balance of naturally unhinged Louisiana rock (like Jerry Lee Lewis or Link Davis) and the crisp sounds of fellow Texan Buddy Holly. After a short, unsuccessful time with Capitol (led by Ken Nelson), he moved to Pappy Daily's Starday and issued a trio of early rock classics: "Let's Get Wild," "Duck Tail," and "Jig-Ga-Lee-Ga." His version of "Duck Tail" isn't as good as Joe Clay's (Grayzell actually wrote the song), but "Let's Go Wild" is one of the best rockabilly chestnuts of the '50s, with Grayzell easily equaling both the frenzied excitement as well as the relaxed charm of Elvis Presley (who was reportedly the one who christened him Rudy "Tutti" Grayzell). Further tracks for Sun and others saw him able to croon or rock. Most rockabilly fans will be content with finding "Let's Go Wild" as a single track, but the entire compilation paints an intriguing portrait of a great singer emerging from the South who was able to emulate both Ernest Tubb and Clyde McPhatter. ~ John Bush