Link Wray | 'Falling Rain' | Light In The Attic Records

Available: July 28th, 2017

Recorded in a shaky makeshift chicken shack in rural Maryland, Link Wray’s eponymous 1971 solo album is a compelling and forward-looking piece of honest, handmade Americana. This album is vastly different from his previous work, foregoing instrumentals entirely. Instead, Wray, left with only one lung following a bout with tuberculosis in 1956, gives us his raw voice, full of spit and vinegar, as he blends elements of country, rock ‘n’ roll, roots, folk and gospel marked with fuzzy guitar and booming percussion. He kicks off with a track, “La De Da”, that may be the greatest song the Stones never wrote. Elsewhere, the single “Fallin’ Rain” channels Dylan at his most political, with lyrics about “stabbings and shootings and young men dying all around.” Link Wray proved to be the only album that the guitarist issued in his own name to hit the American charts during his nearly 50-year recording career. Although it didn’t receive much critical acclaim at the time of its release, Link Wray has seen a resurgence in recent years and developed a cult following, with artists from Nick Cave to The Neville Brothers recording versions of its tracks.

Link Wray’s musical journey began early, with his father Fred taking up the family music business. Link, along with brothers Vernon and Doug began playing together professionally in 1942, their rowdy instrumental single “Rumble” charting at number 16 in 1958. Following a string of hits on Philadelphia-based Swan Records, Vernon began to serve as the family’s producer, eventually starting his own studio; first in the basement of his home and then–after his wife Evelyn complained about the noise–in a converted shack on the property. It was there that Link, Vernon and producer Steve Verroca found a sound that marked “a return to simplicity.” This carefully remastered reissue will take you right back to that chicken shack, and to sessions so electric you can almost feel the atmosphere.

Release Notes
First official vinyl reissue
Reproduction of original die-cut LP gatefold jacket
New liner notes by Chris Morris
Newly remastered

[alanwyatt]

I feel this song was written for me sometimes! I’m over life

[ericadams]

Who's still listening to this in 2020?

[bobsoldrecords]

If I had a copy of this when I was doing my overnight radio show, I would have put it in heavy rotation

[robderr]

Love this. Karl Blau’s cover version is excellent too.

[Gronk]

Does anyone know the story of this album? It’s fantastic. Came out at a similar time to some great Rolling Stones country songs that remind me of this album (Wild horses, sweet Virginia etc)

[FezzantPlucka]

Apparently this whole album was recorded in his chicken shed or something.

[MrAdriancooke]

Always wondered why he was called Link: apparently it's short for Lincoln

[carastrain]

ADMIT THAT YOU’RE A SINNER.This is where that godly sorrow leads to genuine repentance for sinning against the righteous God and there is a change of heart, we change our mind and God changes our hearts and regenerates us from the inside out.

BELIEVE IN YOUR HEART THAT JESUS CHRIST DIED FOR YOUR SINS, WAS BURIED, AND THAT GOD RAISED JESUS FROM THE DEAD.

CALL UPON THE NAME OF THE LORD. This is trusting with all of your heart that Jesus Christ is who he said he wasADMIT THAT YOU’RE A SINNER.This is where that godly sorrow leads to genuine repentance for sinning against the righteous God and there is a change of heart, we change our mind and God changes our hearts and regenerates us from the inside out.

BELIEVE IN YOUR HEART THAT JESUS CHRIST DIED FOR YOUR SINS, WAS BURIED, AND THAT GOD RAISED JESUS FROM THE DEAD.