Chubby Checker’s It’s Pony Time and Let’s Twist Again are two albums representing what was known the early 1960s as the “dance craze” in music. Hitting it big with “The Twist,” Cameo Parkway rushed out more dance music with Checker on these two albums, both released in 1961, and now bundled together on one CD for the first time.
The title track to “Pony Time” is rather forgettable save for Checker’s strong vocal, which probably helped take it Number One. “The Watusi” is a little more up-tempo, while the slower “Hully Gully” is Checker doing his best Elvis.”The Stroll” has a gospel feel with some terrific piano playing buried a little too far down in the mix. “The Mashed Potatoes” is fun and rolls along nicely as Checker reaches to the top of his range. “Hi Ho Silver” sparks and pops along. It’s a little less of a dance tune than just a nice, early rocker. “We Like Birdland” is another one that’s more rock than dance, and features some fantastic drumming. “The Charleston,” the infamous song from the Roaring 20s, includes some extra lyrics and a unique arrangement from Cameo Parkway’s in-house arranger, Dave Appell.
Let’s Twist Again begins with the quick “I Could Have Danced All Night,” flying at a speed that simply doesn’t work on the classic from My Fair Lady. “The Jet” sounds like “The Twist” with a weird whistle, but a cool, kinetic piano. “Continental Walk” strolls along with a hand-clapping-based beat, while the bluesy slow vibe to “I Almost Lost My Mind” showcases Checker’s vocal.
“Quarter To Three” is exactly what you expect from these tunes with a great beat, stellar horns (featuring the great Buddy Savitt on sax), and Checker almost shouting on top of the groove. Trying to revisit his most-well known song, Checker offers “Let’s Twist Again.” Meanwhile, “The Ray Charles-Ton” is a nice honky tonk tribute to Ray Charles. The typical, but fun “Dance-A-Long” ends it all. If early 60s dance music with a few rock and roll “twists” thrown in is your thing, the It’s Pony Time and Let’s Twist Again combo platter is just for you.
~ Ralph Greco, Jr.
