The Link Wray Rumble CD

Link Wray • The Link Wray Rumble CD

The Link Wray Rumble is the 1974 album from Link Wray, one of Rock 'n' Roll's true guitar pioneers, now available on CD in a 2026 reissue. Wray changed the sound of guitar music with his distorted tone, primal riffs and fearless approach, helping establish a rawer and more rebellious style of instrumental Rock 'n' Roll. This album captures that unmistakable combination of rootsy Rock 'n' Roll, electric Blues and swagger, with Wray's guitar providing the grit and attitude throughout.

The album opens with It Was A Bad Scene and Good Time Joe, before moving through the hard-driving Walkin' Bulldog, I Got To Ramble and Backwoods Preacher Man. Super 88 and Step This Way deliver more of Wray's characteristic guitar attack, while She's That Kind Of Woman and We Said I Do show the broader rootsy side of the album. And then there's Rumble, the legendary instrumental that remains forever associated with Wray's name and the revolutionary guitar sound he helped create.

Originally released in July 1974, The Link Wray Rumble is a superb example of Wray's ability to combine raw Rock 'n' Roll with electric Blues without sanding off any of the rough edges. For anyone who loves Link Wray, instrumental Rock 'n' Roll, Blues Rock and pioneering guitar music, this CD reissue is a fine opportunity to add another chapter of his remarkable career to the collection.