by Matt D’Arcy

Let’s rock ‘n’ roll…!

For probably the first time since Vale da Telha was just a blueprint in an architect’s office the area is to host a genuine rock ‘n’ roll show, courtesy of our own Brian ‘Rockindad’ Jutsum.

Brian has arranged for Lisbon rockers Wine-A-Billy Rollers to perform at the Restaurante Vale da Telha on the Pines Roundabout on Sunday, January 31.

The band, which mostly plays around Lisbon and Porto, is known to Brian who has been to see several of their shows in the capital and further north.

He was so impressed with their authentic rock ‘n’ roll he thought the old rockers up here who recall the music of the 50s and 60s would also enjoy them.

And, as a result, Brian has booked the band to appear here on Vale da Telha, 24 hours after he appears as a DJ alongside them at the Bafo De Baco in Loule.

The Wine-A-Billy Rollers, whose show is as much visual as it is musical, comprise Pedro Teixeira (vocals and guitar), Ruben El Pavoni (upright double bass) and Rui ”Tex” Gomes on drums, all of them having been active in the rock ‘n’ roll scene for more than 20 years.

They play a mix of rock ‘n’ roll and rock-a-billy music first popularised by the likes of Elvis Presley, Eddie Cochrane, Carl Perkins, Roy Orbison, Johnny Burnette, Bill Haley and Jerry Lee Lewis, as well as some of their own original material.

The doors for the show open at 7.30pm, with Brian Rockindad dee-jaying from 8pm, after which the band will perform from 9pm to midnight.

So, with apologies to the original lyrics…

Nine, ten, eleven o’clock, twelve o’clock rock

We’re gonna rock and jive ‘til midnight’s gone

Put your glad rags on and join me hon’

We’ll have some fun before the clock strikes one

We’re gonna rock around the clock tonight.

You don’t have to dig out your blue suede shoes, but, as Carl Perkins sang:

Well, it’s one for the money,

Two for the show,

Three to get ready,

Now go, cat, go.

Admission is only €4 if you buy your ticket in advance or €5 on the night. The tickets will be on sale at the Restaurante Vale da Telha from Monday January 11^th, when it re-opens, or you can contact Brian directly to reserve your tickets either of these two ways:

e.mail djrockindad@gmail.com

or message Facebook Brian Rockindad

https://www.facebook.com/elvis.rockindad

Remember, as it’s not exactly a large venue it’s probably wise to secure your tickets early.

So…

Get out from that kitchen and rattle those pots and pans

Get out from that kitchen and rattle those pots and pans

Well, roll my breakfast ’cause I’m a hungry man

[Chorus:]

I said Shake, rattle and roll

I said Shake, rattle and roll

I said Shake, rattle and roll

I said Shake, rattle and roll

Brian explained why he thought a rock ‘n’ roll, rock-a-billy show could be a success here on the West Coast, saying: “We first started the Red Hot Rock ‘n’ Roll Clube in Loule here on the Algarve just over a year ago and it’s gone really well.

“A lot of people are still nostalgic for and still enjoy this music. But equally there are large numbers of younger people drawn to it as well, and the Wine-A-Billy Rollers put on a fantastic visually exciting show, packed with energy.

“I thought it was about time we brought it to this neck of the woods—and, who knows, if it turns out to be a successful experiment then we can repeat it.”

You can see the Wine-A-Billy Rollers with Brian here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2dACF78uZ2w

and you can also get a taste of their music and their style at:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsITZwTw4pE

So, get ready for January 31—because there could be A Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On!

Now, let’s get down real low one time now

Shake, baby, shake

All you gotta do, honey, is kinda stand in one spot

Wiggle around just a little bit, that’s when you got it, yeah

Come on baby, whole lotta shakin’ goin’ on

*          *          *          *

According to Wikipedia, Rockabilly is one of the earliest styles of rock and roll music, dating to the early 1950s in the United States, especially the South. As a genre it blends the sound of Western musical styles such as country with that of rhythm and blues, leading to what is considered “classic” rock and roll. Some have also described it as a blend of the bluegrass style with rock and roll.

The term “rockabilly” itself is a portmanteau of “rock” (from “rock ‘n’ roll”) and “hillbilly”, the latter a reference to the country music (often called “hillbilly music” in the 1940s and 1950s) that contributed strongly to the style. Other important influences on rockabilly include western swing, boogie woogie, jump blues and electric blues.

But really, it doesn’t matter what style of music you enjoy and dance to, just as long as you have a good time.

So, reserve your tickets, get out there…and enjoy!