Puhdys – Puhdys 2: Rock'N'Roll Music (LP)
Released in 1977, Puhdys 2: Rock'N'Roll Music is a highly produced, West German-pressed LP where the East German rock band delivers authentic, high-energy covers of 1950s American rock 'n' roll classics. Showcasing superior technical skill and a heavy 1970s sound, the album serves as a crucial historical document of cultural exchange across the Cold War divide.
The album bursts open with a massive "Long Tall Sally / Party / Rock and Roll Music" medley. Clocking in at over four minutes, it acts as a nonstop statement of intent. Gunther Wosylus’s driving percussion anchors the track while the guitars deliver a modern, crunchier alternative to the brass-heavy original versions.
Following this, Jerry Lee Lewis's "High School Confidential" puts Peter Meyer’s frantic, honky-tonk keyboard skills at center stage. Rather than sounding like a cheap imitation, the band attacks Freddie Cannon’s "Tallahassee Lassie" and Chuck Berry's "Brown Eyed Handsome Man" with sharp, synchronized dual guitar lines.
The absolute standout of the first side is their cover of Ritchie Valens' "Donna". It slows down the frantic pace of the record, allowing lead singer Dieter "Maschine" Birr to show off his vocal range. His performance balances a gritty rock rasp with the emotional weight required for a 1950s teenage ballad.
Side B leans directly into raw rock power, kicking off with a thunderous rendition of "Good Golly Miss Molly". The basslines from Harry Jeske on this track—and on the subsequent cover of "Hound Dog"—are mixed noticeably louder and heavier than the historical originals. This gives the entire B-Side a distinct late-70s hard rock bounce.
The band takes a playful turn on Bobby Freeman's "Do You Want to Dance", incorporating a tighter, almost proto-punk groove into the rhythm section. Little Richard's "Tutti Frutti" is executed as a blistering, sub-two-minute sprint. The album finally closes on a harmonious note with the Everly Brothers' "Bye Bye Love". This choice emphasizes that the Puhdys mastered intricate vocal harmonies just as effectively as high-speed guitar solos
Label: Hansa
Country: Germany
Media Condition: Very Good Plus (VG+)
Sleeve Condition: Very Good Plus (VG+)
Plays great but has a few superficial hairlines