Guitar Trouble

  Rich Radford, Maryland

I guess I'm one of the few Tommy fans who *became* a fan because of “Guitar Trouble.” In the 1980’s, I was in college not listening to a whole lot of music when the Rumblers were getting their big break, and I didn't live in the Philly area. I actually never even heard of Tommy Conwell until late 1992 when I met Billy Kemp who was playing a regular gig in a cafe near where I lived.

I was chatting with Billy about his musical past, and he mentioned being on the road with Tommy Conwell, and how I would probably enjoy his stuff since I liked Stevie Ray so much. Fortunately I found “Guitar Trouble” at a used CD store down the street, and I loved it from the first lick. I loved everything about it from the cover art and the smart lyrics to the great guitar slinging and the punk / rockabilly / blues / pop rock sensibility of the songs. So then of course I ran to the record store and ordered what may have been the last unsold copy of “Rumble.”

   Photo by John Hagan

I was fortunate enough to see Tommy live down here in Baltimore at the 8x10 on two occasions with the Little Kings. He was interesting to talk to for sure -- one eye on me and one eye always on the ladies -- I did manage to walk away from one conversation with a medium Fender pick played to the absolute nub, that he had dropped.

Anyway, I've had a lot of good times courtesy of Tommy, whether through Walking on the Water (LP via online auction), Rumble, Guitar Trouble, Sho' Gone Crazy, Hi Ho Silver, Neuroticus Maximus (via Beruhaha), Buzz Zeemer (thanks, Donna!), live demos (thanks Marc!), videos (thanks again, Donna!) or website (thanks again, Marc!). I even stole an old "Tommy Conwell" album separator from a music store! Thanks for letting me go on and on -Let me leave you with just a few of my favorite lines from some of Tommy's work...

"Before the dawn of ancient time, lived Mother Rhythm and Father Rhyme"

"It's what you are, not who you know"

"You didn't make me, YOU CAN'T BREAK ME!"

"Hey pretty baby, what's that stuff in your hair?"

"If this is all there is I know why everybody's PISSED!"

"Romeo with your hundred dollar shoes"

"You took the money and you spent the change"

"Seven nights of love and dirty laundry on your floor"

"Get the Queen of England's gold shoes, put 'em on your feet and sing the St. Louis Blues, look here..."

"Oh Lawdy Lawdy, make her, nice and naughty, yeah! Whoo!!!!"

Here is my review of some tunes that are probably sitting in the vaults at Columbia/Sony or MCA. Maybe we can lobby for a Presidential pardon and have it released. :) Do you know anyone at MCA who could slip it under their trenchcoat as they leave work one day?

This is a great song! Sonically and rhythmically interesting -- good lyrics for this type of song. This also sounds like a recording from NM days, especially the keyboard in the bridge. The bridge is a really cool changeup from the rest of the song.

This song's hooks are as much rhythmic as melodic and lyrical. "It's what you are, not who you know" is a *great* line. Tons of energy and a great bass line -- did Rob Miller play bass on this?

Wonderful -- this song is so great because it doesn't take itself seriously at all. Was Tommy hanging out with the Georgia Satellites or Lynard Skynard when he wrote this? This is my kind of song! Vintage Conwell attitude. Great lyrical and musical hooks.

I am surprised this song never got released. Love the background singers. Who plays the guitar solo on this? Doesn't sound like Tommy's style -- in fact it sounds like Billy Kemp, which would make this recording date in the NM timeframe (What a great title- Neuroticus Maximus! An album that covers the diverse musical ground this one does ... It's *tragic* that it is sitting around for no one to enjoy in MCA's vaults).

Tommy Conwell meets Ted Nugent! Another live hit, I'm sure. I think this could have found a home on the radio under the right circumstances. "...east of the dawn..." I love it. I love the piano solo! I think they really hit on something with those background singers!

Great music!!! Great hook, "ROAD-side". Great bass stuff in there, kind of jazzy. Great bluesy guitar solo. Disappointing lyrics, though. Kind of reminds me of "I'm Seventeen" lyrically which just seems to have a "rhyme at any cost" mantra. I bet this song was a real crowd pleaser, though! It has the sound of a live hit.