Up to My Old Tricks Again collects a cross section of rockabilly revivalist
Kim Lenz's recordings for the roots label Hightone, as well as two cuts the retro diva recorded for Bloodshot Records.
Lenz is a vintage traditionalist to the core, and this collection displays her penchant for old-school live production on vintage equipment. The result is '50s heaven for fans of such legendary rockabilly icons as
Wanda Jackson,
Johnny Burnette,
Janis Martin, and others. Given that
Lenz only has two albums in her catalog, the need for a compilation isn't immediately clear. However, given the superb track listing here, which finds
Lenz's rockin' cover of
Jackson's "Cool Love" on the same disc as such burning originals as "Choctaw Boogie" and "Devil on My Shoulder,"
Up to My Old Tricks Again never lags and works as the best representation of
Lenz's singular talents. ~ Matt Collar