Music...Darrel Higham...Rockabilly Guitar Man

Darrel Higham

I'm always on the look out for new things. For some reason freshness in a world of stale always jumps out at  us. This article is a prime example of the circuitous route we sometimes find something new. In a world of fifty gillion souls talent is abundant. However, talent with a fresh approach so unique it grabs your attention and forces you to thoroughly explore it's depth, that's another story. The mystery of discovery keep us all watching for what "they" call "the next big thing". I would like to say my next big thing and yours maybe and probably are different. But that's o.k. too.

      Darrel Higham and the Enforcer's "Rockabilly Boogie"


Every once in a while I stumble on to extraordinarily good entertainers. Happily those events seem to happen in clusters. If I find someone doing really great music I can usually find others by looking into the players surrounding them. Well that makes sense. Good bands require good players. Good movies require good actors. Good oil rigs require a good crew. It's the same in any field. Top talent rises to the top. Top talent seeks out fellow travelers.

      Darrel Higham's "Train kept a rollin" with Jeff Beck


To prove this point I will use Jeff Beck as an example. Every time he does a t.v. special I find new top quality artists surrounding him. By doing a little research on his duet partners or band members I can usually go on another rock and roll adventure. With the help of cyberspace videos and a good set of Bose headphones I can create some toe tapping arm chair slapping quality time. 

                     T.V. interview with 1955 Gretsch
                    
                    Hey ! It's what old rockers do !

                          "Rock and Roll Guitar"

You have to chuckle about the headphones. Number one they are much better today than the ones we had years ago. But more importantly it is no longer required we sit cross legged on the floor to use them. Hah ! You didn't think I would remember did you ?

          Darrel Higham with Jeff Beck doing "Crazy Legs"


The last time I watched a Jeff Beck t.v. thing I found his base player to be outstanding not to mention the fact that she looked young enough to be playing in a junior high school garage band. Her name is Tal Wilkenfeld and she should be given much attention. Here is a link to some of the music they did together.

                   Tal and Jeff Beck at Crossroads

Recently, Jeff Beck did a tribute to Les Paul and Mary Ford on educational television. Again, I couldn't help noticing the great band. The first thing that jumped out at me was the tremendous horn section. Then the drummer. The others were hidden behind the horns.

   Darrel Higham and the Enforcers doing Tennessee Gallop

When the singer, Imelda May, came out she immediately captured my attention. At that point I started seeing a little more of the back up guitar player. I'm not saying Darrel Higham is second string guitar. Hell, anybody is going to be second banana to Jeff Beck. On the contrary, he was good enough I began to strain to hear his parts. 

    Darrel Higham and the Enforcers "Baby take me Back"


The guy was good, really good. He knew his rockabilly music right down to matching the tone of the old records. After doing research for the article on Imelda May, I saw he was the lead guitarist for her band. And that was her band accompanying Jeff Beck. Later, I learned the two are married and her name is Imelda May Higham.

                  Darrel Higham does "Ice Cold"


I have listened to what I could find of Darrel's work. I want to recommend his playing as well as some really impressive vocals. He sings the old rockabilly with his own voice. His voice and style is good enough he doesn't have to mimic the originals.

            Darrel Higham does "Rockabilly Rebel"


I hope you all are enjoying these little musical whimsies. It's fun as well as educational for me. If at any time this stuff becomes annoying just send me an email and I will be more than happy to delete you from my little group.

        Darrel Higham & Rocky Burnette do "Tear it up"


Get out the headphones and give this one a listen. Like the man once said, "there's good rockin tonight".  

               "Train kept a rollin" with wife Imelda May

Now for the commercial....


      This article brought to you by the "usual suspects" at:

                  John Boykin Photography

                       "The Hard Hat Photographer"

           San Antonio              Midland               Williston

Life's purpose is not to arrive safely at the grave in a well-preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, hair smoking, shouting "Holy Mackerel, ...what a ride!"