Southern Culture On The Skids – Doublewide And Live

Rick Miller is seldom mentioned as one of the great guitarists, but Doublewide And Live suggests he should be. Recorded at the Skids’ favorite hometown bar in Chapel Hill (Local 506, site of their long-running annual summertime bacchanal Sleazefest), Doublewide sizzles from the get-go thanks to Miller’s tireless playing. You just won’t believe the guy’s got only two hands. Of course, it wouldn’t be a Skids album without greasy references to food and deadpan double-entendres (what, you thought “Banana Pudding” was about dessert?). Standup drummer Dave Hartman is solid as always, and beehived bassist Mary Huff hits that ragged-but-right shout-along vibe. But it’s Miller’s show, with an amazing display of crushing rockabilly, surf, rock, country and everything else riffage. By the seven-minute closer, “Meximelt”, you’ll know that Link Wray lives on in spirit if not in body.