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Rating: The electrifying debut of one of the greatest rock'n'roll performers occurred when, just over twenty years old, Jerry Lee Lewis showed up at the door of the legendary Sun Records in 1957. "Crazy Arms" and "Whole Lotta Shakin' On" two irresistible songs, quickly brought him to success. No one more than him symbolized the rebellious spirit of the musical renewal that characterized the 50s. Like Little Richard, he left his distinctive mark on songs, infusing them with an interpretative energy unknown until then. Egocentric, showy, and bold, he was one of the most captivating stage animals. "I am the greatest!" he shouted at the Palomino Club before jumping on stage to start playing. Nicknamed "The Killer," Lewis was an exceptionally dynamic performer, endowed with an overwhelming feeling, he was the only one who managed to deftly navigate between rock'n'roll, country, and boogie-woogie. In concerts, he would furiously pound the piano keys, creating music so personal that it is impossible to compare it to other artists.
Music was the fuel, the space that surrounded and enveloped him, helping him in moments when his life was marked by dark times and existential bitterness.
The collection "The Mercury Years" is a ride through time and genres, comprising three discs for a total of 72 songs. "The Killer" performs many standards of American popular music, dressing the various compositions with his strength and style, transmitting emotional vibrations different from the primary versions. The result may not satisfy those who know the originals because to appreciate them, one must love Jerry Lee's expressiveness.
The first CD starts with a vehement version of "Corrinna Corrinna," an old song from the folk tradition, not to be confused with the enchanting "Corina Corina" by Albert King. Following are other beautiful compositions alternating between upbeat tracks and more relaxed ones, among them I mention "Another Place Another Time" and "Swinging Doors" written by Merle Haggard. In the second CD, my favorites are "Jambalaya" a staple of Hank Williams, "Ho Lonesone Me" by the great Don Gibson, and "Stagger Lee." There's also a version of "Me And Bobby McGee," more known in Janis Joplin's rendition, which she performed masterfully, with the feeling everyone knows. In the third CD, Lewis continues to deliver quality paired with his usual temperament, with tracks like "Honey Flush," "Boogie Woogie Country Man," "I'm Left You're Right She's Gone," "Country Memories," "Your Cheatin' Heart" another classic by Hank Williams, one of his idols, along with Jimmie Rodgers and Al Jolson. The arrangements accompany Jerry Lee's interpretation without overwhelming it, giving the songs a country imprint. Certainly a turning point, compared to the sound that characterized the years he recorded for Sun.
PS. To get a correct picture of Jerry Lee Lewis, I recommend also getting a collection that includes the early hits of this great artist, whose crystal-clear musical talent was never in question.
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