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Frank Lee Sprague | Traditional Carols Arranged as Traditional Rock Songs (Wichita Falls, 2007) Right up front, let me say that I know it is February and not December, and what's more it is not Christmas or approaching Christmas or anything like that, but I assert that this is the album you should be playing all year 'round because it features the unique rock 'n' roll stylings of Mr. Frank Lee Sprague, King of the Guitar, and in these here parts we bow to the king. So bow, and take a breath already, will ya?

Frank's fertile musical imagination is well documented--his technique, his creativity, and his revisiting of the Merseybeat era are well-loved all over the well-heeled world--and it doesn't let him down here. Re-arranging some of the best-loved Christmas carols as traditional rock songs, the Six-String Guitar Slinger of Wichita Falls delivers a program of familiar melodies played as though they were written and first performed in the early rock era. TCAATRS is a rip-roaring ride, not to be missed.

TCAATRS kicks off with "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring," as if it were essayed by Roger McGuinn fronting the Ventures, which leads nicely to "O Christmas Tree," done up with bows tied sprightly a la the Cavern-era Beatles. Dig the Fab finish! And feel all warm and cuddly as the spirit of the Bobby Fuller Four haunts the rockin' retooling of "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" with elements of both the Four (Randy Fuller sings harmonies) and Buddy Holly strung up in musical lights. A barrelhouse full of fun awaits your ears as Frank's spot-on Jerry Lee Lewis vocal propels a Killer version of "Jingle Bells," complete with pounding 88s and sweat to spare. Close your eyes and you can see the Killer beating those keys to an ivory pulp, his hair hanging and waving in front of his face.

There are several sharp left turns here, not the least of which are "Joy to the World" and "O Holy Night," both recast as Who-ish romps, with all of the prerequisite elements on offer: Keith Moon-like drums (played by Frank's little brother, Christopher), Pete Townshend guitar theatrics, and right-as-rain Roger Daltry-esque vocals. Even "We Three Kings" get the Sprague treatment, redone in the style of the Moody Blues, all to great effect. And don't miss one of the hidden bonus tracks, flying high in a zeppelin made for four.

Concentrate real careful-like and listen to Frank's guitar throughout this charged-up romp. You'll hear the mastery of Frank's nimble fingers as they play the fretboard like a concert grand piano. If Steinway made a guitar, it would sound like Frank was playing it, for sure. The guitar is Frank's open-ended canvas, on which he can paint any musical picture. For proof, seek out one of this modern musical master's classical recordings.

Anyone can set out to do what Frank has done here, but there is no one who can deliver the goods like the Axe Man Who Cometh, the Gee-tar Guru, the aforementioned King of the Guitar. There is simply no one like Frank Lee Sprague and here he is, kids, playing for you, any day of the year.

You ain't a connoisseur without this one, folks.

Alan Haber
February 4, 2008

Go to: Frank Lee Sprague