Mr. Gasser & the Weirdos - Rods 'n Ratfinks (CD) | Mint Mint

When it came time to follow up the success of Hot Rod Hootenanny, Capitol's Fred Rice wisely stuck to the arithmetic of the first LP: great Ed "Big Daddy" Roth-inspired songs + the best session musicians + Capitol Studios another outrageous LP! Rods n' Ratfinks continued the party started on the first album under the direction of Gary Usher. Piling in the Weirdos' woodie for this road trip were Glen Campbell, James Burton and Billy Strange on guitar, Ernie Freeman on piano, Carol Kaye and Steve LaFever on bass, Earl Palmer on drums and Steve Douglas on sax. Gary Usher, Richard Burns and Chuck Girard returned to do vocal duty. And, of course, "Big Daddy" himself created another screaming-technicolor-suitable-for-framing LP cover! Looking at the illustration, if you peep past the wacked-out jalopy, you'll spy Rat Fink hanging at least two as he shoots the curl. Take that, Sponge Bob!A true "renaissance man," Ed "Big Daddy" Roth excelled in a number of pursuits. Artist, cartoonist, car-customizer and pinstriper were but a few of his specialties. Growing up in California, surrounded by the surf and hot rod movements of the late '50s, Roth's expansive imagination was set in motion and popular culture would never be the same.Working closely with Ed Roth, who assumed the nom du disc "Mr. Gasser," Fred Rice carefully selected vocalists and musicians for the recording session. Gary Usher assembled and led the vocal talent, which included Jackie "Robyn" Ward, Chuck Girard, Richard Burns and Darlene Love. And how's this for a guitar line-up: Glen Campbell, Jerry Cole and Howard Roberts! On drums you've the great Hal Blaine. Meanwhile, Cliff Hils anchored the bass position and Leon Russell played piano while Steve Douglas wailed on sax. What a fabulous group of "Weirdos"! The combination of A-list players and a top-notch studio produced a superior-sounding LP, every bit the sonic equal of contemporary recordings from stars like the Super Stocks and the Beach Boys. TRACK LIST:

• Media Condition: Mint
• Sleeve Condition: Mint
• Format Detail: CD
• Format: CD
• Label: Sundazed Music, Inc.
• Catalog Number: CD-SUND-6286