Track Listing

Disc 1:

1. Twist Party
2. Twistin' Gorilla
3. Hypno-Twist
4. Twistin' out in Space
5. Kitty Kat
6. Foot Stomp
7. Twist 'N' Grind
8. Isn't Love Grand
9. On Tap
10. Daddy-O
11. Domino Twist
12. Mad Scientwist
13. Chocolate Shake
14. Twistin' in the Rain
15. All Back to Drac's
16. Peppermint Twist

Disc 2:

1. Bonus Material [DVD]

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #133057 in Music
• Released on: 2006-10-03
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .21 pounds

Amazon.com
If it's tempting to characterize this delightfully dizzy collaboration between Nashville's masked surf-rock acolytes Los Straightjackets and hip-swiveling Brooklyn burlesque revivalists The World Famous Pontani Sisters as postmodern, perhaps one should lie down until the feeling passes. As ambitious fusion of vintage instrumental rock, video dance lessons, lucha libre couture, Chubby Checker, Merseybeat, and rhinestone-chic this CD/DVD set can't be denied--or rivaled, for that matter. With Scottish choreographer/Freddie Garrity lookalike Kaiser George handling vocal chores and occasional channeling of Fred Schneider, the Straitjackets rip through a tightly executed set of twist 'n' groove originals and covers of Fats Domino's "Domino Twist," Robert Parker's "Twistin' in Space," and Joey Dee's "Peppermint Twist." The band takes a faithful left-turn into Liverpool '63, with KG paying affectionate homage to Gerry Marsden and Wayne Fontana on "Isn't Love Grand" before serving up a couple of Halloween-ready slices of loop-rock via "All Back to Drac's" and the infectious "Mad Scientwist." The equally kitsch-cool DVD contains lovingly cheeseball videos for the latter and "Twistin' Gorilla," as well as the Pontanis teaching the steps for the "Kitty Cat" and "Daddy-O" dances. It's a party package that's as musically accomplished as it is culturally ditzy, one that may leave listeners wondering just what decade--or century--they're in. --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews

Time Warp
The first thing I noticed about this release is that the drummer is gone. Jimmy Lester was a fabulous percussionist. He is now the second band member to depart (Pete Curry was not the original bassist).

The artwork is great, right down to the packaging. A DVD comes with the CD so there are two discs. What is different, also, is that the singer/sax player, George "Kaiser" Miller and the Pontani Sisters are playing a more prominent role in the act. If you have never seen LS live, they are entertainers first and musicians second. The Sisters are not musicians; they dance at the live shows.

The music on this CD is much simpler than the arrangements on previous releases. I like it because it uses shtick from the sixties and some of it just cracks me up. The offkey organ on track 15 is really funny.

There are 16 tracks and they are very short; averaging about two minutes. There are some instrumentals but nothing like their earlier material in length or complexity. If you have never heard Los Straitjackets you might want to listen to the first two or three releases to get their history.

I'm always amazed that some people dislike this band. They have such a great sense of humor. But I will caution that this latest effort is for fun and does not display the guitar heroics of the earlier recordings.

If you can't see them live, here's the soundtrack!
Nicely collected tracks from the 2006 Los Straitjackets/Pontani Sisters and Kaiser George travelling show will rock you! One of the coolest shows on the road this year combines three acts into one great experience. I'm sure that this was created for sale at the shows: that's where I grabbed my copy. And this, ladies and gentlemen, is what rock and roll looks like: showy, loud and memorable.

Accompanying DVD of the Pontanis at play is cute stuff; would've enjoyed seeing them live, as at the Abbey in Chicago where they melted the room with the best a-go-go moves since Joey Heatherton and the Ikettes, except the Pontanis really do it all better... honest.

Let's face it, radio right now sucks; there's nothing that you can dance to or want to play for another few decades. But for the cats with hi-fi goggles on, rev this CD up and have a blast. Add another CD to it if you can: Kaiser George and the Hi-Risers put this Scottish mod at the top of my Mersey Beat playlist. Whatever they're doin, please keep it playin'!

Viva Los Straitjackets!

If you want to have some fun, this album is definitely for you
2006 meets the 60's. This album is beyond fun - it's catchy, sly, and chock-full of tongue-in-cheek kitsch. Strap on your dancing shoes and prepare to start twisting!