Link Wray

Link Wray (Polydor)

When I think of an album that inspires me to be authentic both sonically and lyrically, I think of Link Wray’s self-titled album from 1971. Wray’s ability to put you into his world is delivered with no context needed. You hear who he is through his lyrics for songs like “Fallin’ Rain,” which comment on the social justice issues of his day, and his blending of rock, blues and gospel, established this as a classic southern record, which is criminally undeclared for this period. It stands up against classics like The Rolling Stones’ Exile On Mainstreet, which was released a year later. All of the tracks were captured through a three channel tape machine, in a make-shift studio — which was once a chicken coop — it’s raw but rich and everything I want in a record.

S.G Goodman’s “If it Ain’t Me Babe” is out now. The debut album Old Time Feeling is out July 17.

Link Wray 1971

(Polydor)

Advertising disclosure: We may receive compensation for some of the links in our stories. Thank you for supporting LA Weekly and our advertisers.