Deke Dickerson's Melody

Thursday, October 20, the Narrows welcomes once again rockabilly guitar superstar Deke Dickerson, coming to us from the land of Governor Aaaalnold.

Deke's got a nifty new CD out called "The Melody," which he proclaims (on the back of the CD case) as a concept album "carefully engineered to bring you songs with melodies and hooks that you won't soon forget."

That's up for you to decide if you get a chance to listen. (You can hear samples at Deke's website). I found it like I've found him during his shows: entertaining, smooth, professional, and interesting.

Rockabilly lives with a double-edged sword: Most of the mainstream popularity it has is linked to the 1950s--this brings people to its shows, but may turn "hipper" listeners off. At the same time, as shown on Deke's records, there are newly written rockabilly songs. How can they be nostalgic when they're new songs?

Clearly, since it is embraced by roots enthusiasts, it is seen as genuine Americana by hipsters like your humble blogger, which is why the music is featured at the Narrows. I tend to view rockabilly as a genre like reggae or polka music or even blues. It's a category not necessarily defined by time, although for marketing purposes rockabilly artists aren't afraid to grease their hair back and sing about girls with pony-tails.

Deke--who wears his hair short, no grease--has plenty of originals on "The Melody" and I suspect he wasn't alive in the 1950s much less twanging his guitar. The CD is toe-tappin' fun, and something you can play with the kids in the car.

But, if you listen closely, you'll note that some of the lyrics are nasty, even cruel. For example, in one of the CD's best tracks, "Good Time Gal," he wrote (and sings):

Well I bet she used to be pretty

Now she only gets your pity

Good time gal I wish you'd drink up and go home

For you Gram Parsons fans, the sound is less rockabilly and more like something Gram or the Flying Burrito Brothers might have recorded. "D.B." Berzansky fills in for "Sneaky Pete" on pedal steel.

Deke doesn't just get nasty with women--he takes whacks at guys. In his "Mister Cheater" he wrote (and sings):

Hey Mr. Cheater

You'll break her heart, but you won't leave her

But if you ask me, I don't know

If Mr. Cheater has a soul

Buddy Holly fans will delight at his cover of an obscure Holly tune "Tell Me How." I've never heard Buddy do the song, but Deke is faithful to the Bud-I's usual sound, like the Beatles were when they did "Words of Love."

If you have seen the Dekester twang his thang, you'll remember his drummer Chris "Sugar Balls" Sprague plays a big part in the show, and he contributes several songs, drums and backing vocals as well to "The Melody." (No, I don't know why his nickname is Sugar Balls.)

If you like the Deke, you'll like this CD. If you don't know him, the recording would be a swell introduction.