''Born to Rock'' is an album by the American musician

Carl Perkins Carl Lee Perkins (April 9, 1932 – January 19, 1998)#nytimesobit, Pareles. was an American guitarist, singer and songwriter. A rockabilly great and pioneer of rock and roll, he began his recording career at the Sun Studio, in Memphis, Tennes ...

, released in 1989. It was considered to be an attempt to replicate

Roy Orbison Roy Kelton Orbison (April 23, 1936 – December 6, 1988) was an American singer, songwriter, and musician known for his impassioned singing style, complex song structures, and dark, emotional ballads. His music was described by critics as ...

's late-career success.

Production

The album was produced by Brent Maher and Don Potter. Some of its songs were cowritten by Perkins's sons, Greg and Stan. The title track is an autobiographical song. The Jordanaires contributed to the album. ''Born to Rock'' included a few prototypical country songs. Perkins later expressed displeasure with the album, commenting that he wished it had a stronger rockabilly sound.

Critical reception

'' Rolling Stone'' wrote that, "unlike many early rockers who coast through contractual-obligation records with glazed indifference, Perkins sounds feverishly interested in the ten tracks here." The '' Los Angeles Times'' thought that the album "covers the old rockabilly style with jumping, humorous numbers delivered in a cottony, amiable voice that is an obvious influence for such younger performers as John Hiatt." '' The Times'' called it a "splendid, vibrant collection from a veteran who remains a gifted songwriter, an alert guitarist and a distinctive singer with range, humour and an authentic rockabilly twang." '' The Capital Times'' determined that "Perkins, the purest rockabilly of them all, has returned to vinyl with an album that captures the essence of his seminal Sun recordings with the vision of a 50-year-old."

Track listing

Personnel

*Carl Perkins - lead guitar (electric and acoustic), vocals * Don Potter, Larry Byrom - acoustic rhythm guitar *Craig Nelson, Robert Burns - double string bass *

Bobby Ogdin Robert Ford Ogdin (born September, 1945) is a Nashville-based recording session pianist. He is best known as a member of Elvis Presley's TCB band. He performed on 20 of Presley's recordings and accompanied him on 45 live shows until Presleys' dea ...

- piano * Eddie Bayers - drums * The Jordanaires - backing vocals

References

{{Carl Perkins Carl Perkins albums 1989 albums albums produced by Brent Maher