If I’m feeling a need of some old school driving Rock and Roll/Rockabilly…I look no further than the Blasters. No studio embellishments, no gimmicks, no tricks…just rock and roll.
The Blasters never had mainstream success…but popular radio back in the 80s would have been greatly improved by these guys.
The Blasters are a rock and roll band formed in 1979 in Downey, California, by brothers Phil Alvin (vocals and guitar) and Dave Alvin (guitar), with bass guitarist John Bazz and drummer Bill Bateman.
Marie Marie was released in 1980 on The Blaster’s debut album American Music on the small independent label Rollin’ Rock. It was then re-recorded a year later for The Blaster’s second album The Blasters, released by Slash Records and distributed by Warmer Bros.
The artist Shakin Stevens covered the song in 1980 and his version had chart success. Steven’s version peaked at #19 in the UK, 28 in Ireland, and #18 in Germany in 1981.
The song was written by Dave Alvin…here he is talking about how he wrote it.
Dave Alvin: “About 30 minutes before we left to go to rehearsal, I sat down at our kitchen table and I just wrote the lyrics – just came to me. I was kind of – I remember being a little kid and we were driving down this road up near the Puente Hills. And there was an old Victorian farmhouse and there was a girl sitting on the porch with a guitar. And for whatever reason, that image stuck with me and so I just wrote that. So in like 20 minutes we had [the song].”
Phil Alvin: “I thought Joe Turner’s backup band on Atlantic records – I had these 78s – I thought they were the Blues Blasters. That ends up it was Jimmy McCracklin. I just took the ‘Blues’ off and Joe finally told me, that’s Jimmy McCracklin’s name, but you tell ‘im I gave you permission to steal it.”
Marie Marie
Marie Marie
Playing guitar on the back porch
I sit in my car
While she sings so sad
Marie Marie
It’s so lonely in these farmlands
Please come with me
To the bright lights downtown
Marie Marie
I said, “Hey, pretty girl Don’t you understand
I just want to be your loving man”
Marie Marie
The sun is down in the corn fields
The evening is dark
And you sing so sad
Marie Marie
Marie Marie
I got two weeks in back pay
There’s gas in my car
And your folks say I must go
I said, “Hey, pretty girl Don’t you understand
I just want to be your loving man”
Marie Marie
Marie Marie
Playing guitar on the back porch
I leave in my car
While you sing so sad
Marie Marie
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I really enjoyed this one. Excellent guitar playing. Thanks for presenting it Max.
I loved these guys back in the day. Thanks for sharing!
They are so much fun…and a great sound. Thank you!
I still like “Marie Marie” from the Blasters. But the girls from back then have gotten older too …
Sad but true…
Anyway, here is the little girl version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhUIVUOdyR0
Really nice Max, but I actually like the studio version better than the live one.
Remember their name, I think one of the guys in the indie record shop in 80s in my city liked them. Not a bad sound – i would have guessed they were from late 50s if I didn’ t know otherwise.
They had that rockabilly down really well. I guess they were classified as alternative…After the Stray Cats got some play…it looks like they would have.
I love this! I don’t remember hearing the Blasters before this. I’m sure they would have been popular here, if only they could have been heard.
You know I think so to because of The Stray Cats popularity…if they made it…The Blasters should have also.
And I like this music a lot better than the Stray Cats.
It’s more authentic isn’t it?
Yes, that’s it I think. They aren’t caricatures and the music fits them.
Excellent song with some great imagery! You can basically see the story unfolding as they rock out rockabilly style.
Do you know much about them? I faintly remember them in the 80s but not as much as I should…they do have an authentic style
Everytime I hear The Blasters, I think of Streets of Fire.
Did I get that for you? Oh geez did I forget again?
I believe you sent it to me. I will check…
How are you doing Vic?
Still upright and breathing.
You sent me the movie, back in January.
Still above ground! My memory is pretty good…well no it’s not…I forgot but I remembered the movie!
You should see this in the movie:
https://youtu.be/DiLsmwMunik
That sounds really good…really good.
Another excellent track, man.
American music is what i want to hear. I absolutely dig Dave’s solos. Just over 2 minutes of greatness in my book. Here’s another Big Joe Turner story if you havent heard it. I love it. Of course.
Oh dude this is great…I’m listening to it now…that guitar is just on it….period.
I love Dave’s work. He’s the whole package. If you’re ever kicking around looking for interesting music things. Check out Lee Allen. He played sax with the Blasters early on. What a cool thing that was.. I think you’ll dig the history.
Cool man I will check Allen out… their music is made for guitar solos and sax…
Always good talking “things’ with you Max.
It’s always good CB…I’ll be over soon.
I don’t remember hearing this song before, but it’s great. Does sound more like it’s from the late 50s than early 80s.