FIFTY years ago Little Richard released Tutti Frutti and invented Rock 'n' Roll. Come on, you can't include Rock Around The Clock, that was swing. But it's been a while since those pounding piano bass lines were all the vogue. Which is perhaps why, for all their retro-ness, The Deslondes sound is new and fresh, even though it is anything but. They employ a walking piano line as deep south as the band's home town, but this is not blues, it's country from, of all places, New Orleans. Let's forget about labels, though, whatever genre the band belongs to this is rattling good stuff and will only sound better live. They play dirty, tight music and, like the Coal Porters, Bluegrass for people who hate Bluegrass. In fact you can hear influences from every minute of every year since Little Richard shocked the cardigan filled world of Perry Como half a century ago. Awopbopaloobop Alopbamboom indeed.

Please Please You presents The Deslondes at The Fulford Arms, York on September 3.