Ralph Gean

Tracklist

Disc One: "A Star Unborn"

1. Homicidal Me
2. Hey Doctor Casey
3. Electricity
4. The Japanese Rain Song
5. Planet Of The Rain
6. Granny's Grave
7. You're Drivin' Me Crazy
8. The Bobbit Song (Lorena, Lorena)
9. Hard To Be A Killer
10. Experimental Love
11. Guitar Pickin' Teabag
12. Why Can't I Control Myself?
13. Hale-Bopp Comet
14. Hey Doctor Casey (acid mix)
15. Electricity (shock treatment mix)
16. Homicidal Me (live at Monkey Mania)
17. Switzerland (live at Monkey Mania)
18. Killer Songs Medley
19. Hit The Road Ralph*

Disc Two: "The Sun Studio Sessions"

1. No Body
2. Goddess Of Love
3. Switzerland
4. Love Me*
5. I'm Bad (Tiger Man)
6. Cimarron Moon
7. Star Trekkin' Rock N' Roll Cowboy
8. Kill For A Cigarette
9. Fonky Donk Blues
10. Teenage Woman
11. What Would Have Been
12. Melissa
13. The Devil's Saloon
14. Poor Dragonfly
15. Wild Oats

* = CD-only tracks

Info

Ralph Gean has been writing, performing and recording his own unique variety of off-beat Rock, Rockabilly, and Country songs since the late 1950s. As an early '60s contemporary of first-wave Rock n' Roll acts like Roy Orbison and Glenn Campbell, Gean achieved a measure of regional success in Texas, cutting several 45s and receiving vigorous support from local radio. In the mid-'90s Gean was "discovered" by noted countercultural figures interested in "incredibly strange music"; this lead to a comeback for Gean and the first CD release of his music.

This two-disc set represents the very best of over 40 years of Ralph Gean's music. Disc one is a collection of Ralph's wackier songs from the early '60s to the late '90s; disc two is a "best of" collection of tracks recorded during Gean's eight trips to Memphis' Sun Studio. This release, with its photo-packed 24-page liner-notes comprises the definitive, comprehensive collection of Ralph Gean's entire lengthy and multifaceted career.

All songs written and performed by Ralph Gean and published by Fonky Donk Music, except for "Love Me" written by Jerry Lott and "Kill For A Cigarette" written by Gregory Daurer. Instrumentation and credits available in the CD liner notes.

All tracks digitally remastered by Bob Ferbrache at Absinthe Studio.

Reviews

"Ralph Gean Is Denver's Greatest Unknown Rock Star."
      - Westword

"Gean is a vestige of the days of the Old West and the birth of rock 'n roll. In his heyday he opened for artists like Roy Orbison. At the age of 67 he hasn't lost the fire he once had as a young rockabilly singer."
      - The Denver Post

"[Ralph Gean] veers from psychotic shit-kicking to bent rock n' roll, parodisitc plodding heavy rock, scary Casio nuttiness worthy of latter-day 'beat of the Traps.'... [Gean] doesn't need any 'bonus' respect points for his age."
      - Maximum Rocknroll

"The man has presence, the man has a sound, and both come across with power."
      - Exotica/Etcetera

"Ralph Gean lived through the birth of rock and continues to adore it. ... Currently, only those who are heavily involved in underground rockabilly attend his concerts, but the authentic rock cowboy continues to play in Denver, Colorado, manifesting the 'spirit of rock n roll'."
      - Vice España

"[Gean's] problem has always been that he was ahead of his time. It took ten years for The Rev. Horton Heat and the psychobillies to catch up with Ralph Gean."
      - Rock & Blues News

"Incredibly Strange Music Fans Shouldn't Miss This!"
      - Jello Biafra

"He's a rip snortin' dandy!"
      - The Legendary Stardust Cowboy