Hal Blaine & The Young Cougars “Deuces, T’s, Roadsters, & Drums” (1963)

For those who don’t know, Mr. Blaine was a session drummer, and, though you might not recognize his name, many drummers of the early ’60s, considered him their “Chet Atkins!” Well, with his solo LP he gets down on some heavy instrumental, Hot Rod heat. For me, this is one of the better, more inventive, Hot Rod records as DTR&D is royally executed by the top LA session fellas. The list of “Young Cougars” is as long as my right arm, and DTR&D is produced in bright, booming ’60’s “Soundtrack” clarity by Lee Hazelwood. Oh, there’s even a handy “hot rod” lexicon featured in the liner notes, now I know what “E.T.” really stands for! –Nipper