Gene Vincent
A Record Date - Capitol 1958
Tracks:1. Five Feet of Lovin' / 2. The Wayward Wind / 3. Somebody Help Me / 4. Keep It a Secret / 5. Hey Good Lookin' / 6. Git It / 7. Teenage Partner / 8. Peace of Mind / 9. Look What You Gone and Done to Me / 10. Summertime / 11. I Can't Help It / 12. I Love You
Comments:
I happened to find a used vinyl copy of "A Record Date" many years ago. It was the first original album with Vincent I heard, and it therefore has a special status for me, even though it may not belong among his most solid.
The album was released in 1958 as his fourth, and it is obvious that part of the untamed energy that he and his group "The Blue Caps" became known for is somewhat tamed on "A Record Date".
On this album, it is largely the ballads that are the highlights. The rocking tracks mostly appear uninspired and come out as slightly flat repetitions of previous recordings. Best among the "rockers" is the relatively melodic "Somebody Help Me". "Git It" which was released on single is actually quite tiring, and was not a success either.
Vincent was from the beginning very fond of melodic ballads, and there were already several of these on his first albums. On "A Record Date", "The Wayward Wind" and "Keep it a Secret" are the "big" songs. Beautifully sung and tastefully sparsely arranged. Vincent's own very Buddy Holly inspired "I Love You" is also cute - with xylophone a la "Everyday"
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