Billy Joe Royal-Hard Rock To Roll...country

[Wayne]

Billy Joe Royal-Hard Rock To Roll-Gusto-2009-3 Stars (enjoyment)

...Not only is this CD called Hard Rock To Roll, but it is a hard CD to review, although not for negative reasons. Billy is known for his early pop hits like Down In The Boondocks and Cherry Hill Park, and his earlier country hits like Pin A Note On Your Pillow, Tell It Like It Is, Till I Cant Take It Anymore and Love Has No Right. Nelson Larkin produced these hits (country) and also this CD, 7 new country songs and 3 covers: Rockin Robin, C C Rider and Little Bitty Pretty One (which I could picture a video for), and some country tunes like I Wish I Had You Back Again, I Cant Stop Now, Lay Me Down a Truck Driving Man and Hard Rock To Roll, which is very today and also would make a good video. The only problem is who knows Billy Joe Royal, hardly any of the younger CD buyers. This release is country, not country pop, not country rock, just plain ole good country sounding music. Steel guitars, fiddles and a remarkably still enjoyable sounding voice, aged but still listenable.
...Billy Joe Royal is not flash, glamour, but good talent that shows he has handled the years well. I hope he will keep on recording and could find a spot on radio or country videos, but it takes more than just talent to sell. Good luck Billy Joe Royal, it was a pleasure listening to you again.