When it was announced that this album would be released on CD, I felt just a little sad...it was almost like Macca was going back on his word to the Russians about the album being an exclusive release for them. But if he had kept his word, we wouldn't have this nifty little CD.
Most rock-n-roll musicians are very aware of the debt that is owed by everyone that picks up an axe or a pair of sticks to the originators of the artform. Quite a number of them have felt compelled to record albums that show the world that appreciation....the results can vary widely, but the mark is the same: these guys LOVE these songs!
So it is with "CHOBA"...Macca assembled a rock-solid group of musicians, made a list of the songs that inspired him and they set to. The result is a sparkling effort marked by some of the finest 'shouting' vocals Paul has yet done, some ripping guitar work and great drumming, all delivered in a production package that is unfussy and 'to the point'.
Most of Paul's heroes get a nod here: Little Richard, Fats Domino, Sam Cooke, Eddie Cochran and, of course, Elvis Presley. Some of the song choices are quite obvious (Kansas City, Twenty Flight Rock, That's All Right Mama, Ain't That a Shame) while others aren't so much (Don't Get Around Much Anymore, Summertime). On a musicianship note, all these guys are great, but I have to single out drummer Chris Whitten...just superb! Paul must have thought so also, as Whitten was tapped as the timekeeper for Macca's next studio album, "Flowers In the Dirt".
If this album, as has been said, is Paul's "Rock and Roll", he has bettered JL's effort by sticking with clean sounds and not letting production get in the way of the songs.
