Soulsuckers on Parade

Soulsuckers On Parade, a full-length 1984 Jeffrey Lee Pierce solo recording drawn from an abortive session for the cowpunk compilation album Don’t Shoot, first released by Zippo Records in the U.K. The vocalist is supported by an all-star unit comprising guitarist Dave Alvin, drummer Bill Bateman, and the late pianist Gene Taylor, then of the hot L.A. roots combo The Blasters, and bassist Jack Waterson of Green On Red; Chris D. (Chris Desjardins, who also produced the date) and The Gun Club’s Kid Congo Powers guest on background vocals. Featuring covers of songs originated by Willie Nelson, Big Joe Turner, and Creedence Clearwater Revival, a wacky, profane blues Pierce improvisation called “New Way of Walkin’’, and a rampaging, demented seventeen-minute original, “Walkin’ Down the Street (Doin’ My Thing)”.