Last Man Standing (Jerry Lee Lewis album)

Last updated

Last Man Standing
Last Man Standing (Jerry Lee Lewis album) coverart.jpg
Studio album by
ReleasedSeptember 26, 2006
RecordedDecember 2004−May 2006
StudioPhillips Studio and Sun Studio in Memphis, Tennessee and various other studios
Genre
Length66:43
Label Artists First, Shangri-La
Producer
Jerry Lee Lewis chronology
Young Blood
(1995)
Last Man Standing
(2006)
Last Man Standing Live
(2007)

Last Man Standing is the 39th studio album released by American recording artist, pianist, and rock and roll pioneer Jerry Lee Lewis in September 2006. The album consists of duets between Lewis and some of the biggest names in both rock and country music, past and present. The title derives from the generation of 1950s Sun Studios recording artists such as Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison, Charlie Rich, Carl Perkins, and Elvis Presley; all of whom had died, leaving Lewis the "last man standing". Lewis died in October 2022, 16 years and a month following this album's release. Following the success of the album, a DVD Last Man Standing Live was released featuring similar duets with famous artists.

Contents

Track listing

  1. "Rock and Roll" (John Paul Jones, John Bonham, Jimmy Page, Robert Plant) – 2:14
  2. "Before the Night Is Over" (Ben Peters) – 3:39
  3. "Pink Cadillac" (Bruce Springsteen) – 3:55
    • With Bruce Springsteen
  4. "Evening Gown" (Mick Jagger) – 3:57
  5. "You Don't Have to Go" (Jimmy Reed) – 4:00
  6. "Twilight" (Robbie Robertson) – 2:48
    • With Robbie Robertson
  7. "Travelin' Band" (John Fogerty) – 2:01
  8. "That Kind of Fool" (Mack Vickery) – 4:14
  9. "Sweet Little Sixteen" (Chuck Berry) – 3:04
  10. "Just a Bummin' Around" (Pete Graves) – 2:43
  11. "Honky Tonk Woman" (Jagger/Richards) – 2:21
  12. "What's Made Milwaukee Famous (Has Made a Loser Out of Me)" (Glenn Sutton) – 2:39
  13. "Don't Be Ashamed of Your Age" (Cindy Walker, Bob Wills) – 1:59
  14. "Couple More Years" (Dennis Locorriere, Shel Silverstein) – 5:13
  15. "Old Glory" (Paul Roberts, Shelby Darnell, Jerry Lee Lewis) – 2:05
  16. "Trouble in Mind" (Richard M. Jones) – 3:49
  17. "I Saw Her Standing There" (John Lennon, Paul McCartney) – 2:21
  18. "Lost Highway" (Leon Payne) – 2:59
  19. "Hadacol Boogie" (Bill Nettles) – 3:18
  20. "What Makes the Irish Heart Beat" (Van Morrison) – 4:12
  21. "The Pilgrim Ch. 33" (Kris Kristofferson) – 3:00
    • With Kris Kristofferson
Bonus tracks

The album was released with several promotional download-only tracks depending on the venue at which the album was purchased. For physical retail outlets, the bonus track was available from their official web site.

Personnel

In addition to the guest stars, the album features Kenny Lovelace and producer Jimmy Rip on guitar, James "Hutch" Hutchinson on bass, and Jim Keltner playing drums. The liner notes were written by Peter Guralnick. Kris Kristofferson's track produced by J. Carter Tutwiler at NoCanBeat Studios and mixed by Jimmy Rip.

Unreleased songs

Lewis recorded several more songs for the album than were released, including:

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [1]
Mojo Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [2]
PopMatters 9/10 [3]
Rolling Stone Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [4]

Last Man Standing received very positive reviews from critics. Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic called the recording, "a record that celebrates life, both in its joys and sorrows, and it's hard not to see it as nothing short of inspiring" and the editorial team of the site gave it four out of five stars. [1] The same score was awarded by Gavin Edwards in Rolling Stone , praising the performance by writing, "his throat is in better shape than you might expect, most of his command now comes from the slamming, swinging passion of his barrelhouse piano". [4] For PopMatters, Vladimir Wormwood gave the album seven out of 10, summing up his review by focusing on the Merle Haggard duet "Just Bummin' Around": "It is a portrait of the aging musician with the showmanship removed. Long live Jerry Lee Lewis". [3]

Chart performance

Chart performance for Last Man Standing
Chart (2006)Peak
position
Australian Albums Chart [5] 46
Austrian Albums Charts [6] 34
Danish Albums Chart [7] 10
Dutch Albums Chart [8] 49
French Albums Chart [9] 67
Norwegian Albums Chart [10] 26
Swedish Albums Chart [11] 7
US Billboard 200 [12] 26
US Billboard Independent Albums [13] 1
US Billboard Top Country Albums [14] 4
US Billboard Top Rock Albums [15] 8

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jerry Lee Lewis</span> American rock and roll musician (1935–2022)

Jerry Lee Lewis was an American pianist, singer and songwriter. Nicknamed "The Killer", he was described as "rock 'n' roll's first great wild man". A pioneer of rock and roll and rockabilly music, Lewis made his first recordings in 1952 at Cosimo Matassa's J&M Studio in New Orleans, Louisiana, and early recordings in 1956 at Sun Records in Memphis, Tennessee. "Crazy Arms" sold 300,000 copies in the Southern United States, but it was his 1957 hit "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On" that shot Lewis to worldwide fame. He followed this with the major hits "Great Balls of Fire", "Breathless", and "High School Confidential".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Me and Bobby McGee</span> Song by Kris Kristofferson and Fred Foster

"Me and Bobby McGee" is a song written by American singer-songwriter Kris Kristofferson and originally performed by Roger Miller. Fred Foster shares the writing credit, as Kristofferson wrote the song based on a suggestion from Foster. A posthumously released version by Janis Joplin topped the Billboard Hot 100 in 1971, making the song the second posthumously released No. 1 single in U.S. chart history after "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay" by Otis Redding. Gordon Lightfoot released a version that reached number 1 on the Canadian country charts in 1970. Jerry Lee Lewis released a version that was number 1 on the country charts in December 1971/January 1972 as the "B" side of "Would You Take Another Chance on Me". Billboard ranked Joplin's version as the No. 11 song for 1971.

<i>Jesus Was a Capricorn</i> 1972 studio album by Kris Kristofferson

Jesus Was a Capricorn is the fourth album by Kris Kristofferson, released in 1972 on Monument Records. The album cover pictures Kristofferson and his soon-to-be wife Rita Coolidge. "Why Me" reached #1 on the Country singles charts.

<i>Spooky Ladys Sideshow</i> 1974 studio album by Kris Kristofferson

Spooky Lady's Sideshow is the fifth solo album by Kris Kristofferson, released in 1974 on Monument Records. It was preceded and followed by duet albums with his wife, Rita Coolidge. It was recorded shortly after Kristofferson's appearance in the movie Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid. The album mostly consists of songs about decline due to alcohol and drug abuse. That theme of decline proved to be (unintentionally) prophetic as this was Kristofferson's first album that failed to see commercial success on a large scale.

<i>Repossessed</i> (album) 1986 studio album by Kris Kristofferson

Repossessed is an album by Kris Kristofferson, released on Mercury Records in 1986. It was Kristofferson's first full-length solo album since 1981's To the Bone, although the singer did collaborate with other artists in the meantime, most notably on Highwayman with Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson.

<i>Breakaway</i> (Kris Kristofferson and Rita Coolidge album) 1974 studio album by Kris Kristofferson and Rita Coolidge

Breakaway is the second duet album by Kris Kristofferson and Rita Coolidge, released in 1974 on Monument Records. It is one of three duet albums by the couple. Unlike Kristofferson solo albums, it features several covers. "I've Got to Have You" and "I'd Rather Be Sorry" had both previously been hits for other artists; they appear here by Kristofferson for the first time.

<i>Natural Act</i> 1978 studio album by Kris Kristofferson and Rita Coolidge

Natural Act is the third and final duet album by Kris Kristofferson and Rita Coolidge, released in 1978 on A&M Records. The couple would divorce the following year. The album was released while Coolidge's career was at a peak; her recent albums Anytime...Anywhere and Love Me Again had seen much commercial success. Natural Act is Kristofferson's only album to chart in the United Kingdom.

<i>Revival</i> (John Fogerty album) 2007 studio album by John Fogerty

Revival is the seventh solo studio album by American roots rock singer-songwriter/guitarist John Fogerty. Released in 2007, it was his first new album in three years, and also his third album since rejoining Fantasy Records. The album was released on October 2, 2007.

<i>Emotion</i> (Barbra Streisand album) 1984 studio album by Barbra Streisand

Emotion is the twenty-third studio album by American singer Barbra Streisand, released in October 1984 by Columbia Records. It was her first studio album in four years after the release of Guilty, which has since become her highest selling studio album worldwide.

<i>Mean Old Man</i> 2010 studio album by Jerry Lee Lewis

Mean Old Man is the 40th studio album by rock and roll pioneer Jerry Lee Lewis. Like his previous album Last Man Standing, this album features duets and other collaborations with famous musicians.

<i>Wrote a Song for Everyone</i> 2013 studio album by John Fogerty

Wrote a Song for Everyone is the ninth solo studio album by John Fogerty, released on May 28, 2013 in the United States. The album is a collection of Creedence Clearwater Revival classics and deep tracks from his canon of hits as well as some brand new songs, performed alongside an array of notable musicians, including Foo Fighters, Bob Seger, Dawes, Brad Paisley, Miranda Lambert, Kid Rock, Keith Urban, My Morning Jacket, Alan Jackson, Jennifer Hudson, and more. The album also features two new songs, "Mystic Highway" and "Train of Fools".

<i>She Even Woke Me Up to Say Goodbye</i> (album) 1970 studio album by Jerry Lee Lewis

She Even Woke Me Up to Say Goodbye is the 13th album by pianist and singer Jerry Lee Lewis. It was released on Mercury Records in 1970.

<i>Touching Home</i> (album) 1971 studio album by Jerry Lee Lewis

Touching Home is an album by Jerry Lee Lewis that was released on Mercury Records in 1971.

<i>Live at the International, Las Vegas</i> 1970 live album by Jerry Lee Lewis

Live at the International, Las Vegas is a live album by Jerry Lee Lewis that was released on Mercury Records in 1970.

<i>Odd Man In</i> 1975 studio album by Jerry Lee Lewis

Odd Man In is the 31st album by Jerry Lee Lewis. It was released in 1975 on the Mercury label. The album title was credited to Joanie Lawrence.

<i>A Star Is Born</i> (1976 soundtrack) 1976 soundtrack album by Barbra Streisand and Kris Kristofferson

A Star Is Born is the soundtrack album to the 1976 musical film of the same name, performed by its stars Barbra Streisand and Kris Kristofferson. The album was very successful, holding the number-one spot on the US Billboard 200 chart for six weeks and eventually was certified 4× Platinum by the RIAA for more than four million units shipped and has sold a total of eight million copies worldwide.

<i>Love and War</i> (Brad Paisley album) 2017 studio album by Brad Paisley

Love and War is the twelfth studio album by American country music singer Brad Paisley. It was released on April 21, 2017, and is his final album to be released through Arista Nashville. The album's lead single is "Today".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Loving Arms</span> 1973 single by Kris Kristofferson and Rita Coolidge

"Loving Arms" is a song written by Tom Jans and first recorded as a duet by Kris Kristofferson and Rita Coolidge for their 1973 album Full Moon.

<i>Rock & Roll Time</i> 2014 studio album by Jerry Lee Lewis

Rock & Roll Time is the 41st and final studio album by American singer Jerry Lee Lewis, released on November 7, 2014, by Vanguard Records. The album featured several big name friends as musicians including Keith Richards, Band guitarist Robbie Robertson, Neil Young and Nils Lofgren. The album peaked at number 33 on Billboard's Top Rock Albums chart and number 30 on Billboard's Independent Albums chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mick Jagger discography</span>

Mick Jagger is a British recording artist most well known for his association with the Rolling Stones and his songwriting partner in the group, Keith Richards; their partnership is considered one of the most successful in history. As a solo artist he has released four solo albums, one collaborative album, one collaborative soundtrack album, as well as twenty-two singles, a number of them containing non-album tracks.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Allmusic review
  2. Décharné, Max (November 2006). "I fought the law and … I won: Jerry Lee Lewis Last Man Standing". Mojo : 101.
  3. 1 2 "PopMatters". PopMatters.
  4. 1 2 Edwards, Gavin (September 20, 2006). "Last Man Standing".
  5. "australian-charts.com — Australian charts portal". Hung Medien. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  6. "austriancharts.at — Austria Top 40". Hung Medien. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  7. "danishcharts.dk – Danish charts portal". Hung Medien. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  8. "dutchcharts.nl – Dutch charts portal". Hung Medien. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  9. "lescharts.com – French charts portal". Hung Medien. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  10. "norwegiancharts.com – Norwegian charts portal". Hung Medien. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  11. "swedishcharts.com – Swedish charts portal". Hung Medien. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  12. "Jerry Lee Lewis Album & Song Chart History – Billboard 200". Billboard . Archived from the original on September 23, 2010. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  13. "Jerry Lee Lewis Album & Song Chart History – Independent Albums". Billboard . Archived from the original on September 23, 2010. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  14. "Jerry Lee Lewis Album & Song Chart History – Country Albums". Billboard . Archived from the original on September 23, 2010. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  15. "Jerry Lee Lewis Album & Song Chart History – Rock Albums". Billboard . Retrieved April 23, 2011.