Rockin’ Through Time: A Look at "All Mamas Children / Todos Los Niños de Mamá"
Alright, let’s talk about this gem from way back in 1970—All Mamas Children / Todos Los Niños de Mamá by Carl Perkins and NRBQ. Yep, you heard that right. Carl Perkins—the dude who gave us “Blue Suede Shoes”—teamed up with the quirky rockers of NRBQ to drop an album that blends Rockabilly grit with good old-fashioned Rock & Roll swagger. Released under CBS in Spain (random, I know), it’s one of those records that feels like finding a hidden treasure in your grandpa’s attic.
The title track, All Mama’s Children / Todos Los Niños de Mamá, is an absolute banger. It kicks off with this twangy guitar riff that screams Carl Perkins—it’s got that raw, unpolished charm that makes you wanna grab a mic stand and pretend you’re on stage at some smoky juke joint. The bilingual twist? Genius. You don’t hear many songs switching between English and Spanish like this, especially not back then. There’s something kinda rebellious about it, like they didn’t care what anyone thought—they just wanted to make music their way. And honestly? That attitude sticks with you long after the song ends.
Then there’s Step Aside / Quédate Fuera. This tune has this loose, almost sloppy energy that somehow works perfectly. Like, imagine four guys jamming in a garage, beers on the floor, zero pressure—but still nailing it. The rhythm section grooves hard enough to make you tap your feet uncontrollably, and the vocals are so laid-back they feel like they might fall over but never do. It’s catchy as hell without trying too hard, which is kinda refreshing compared to all the overproduced stuff we get these days.
What strikes me most about this album is how effortlessly cool it sounds. These guys weren’t chasing trends; they were just messing around, having fun, and letting the music speak for itself. Sure, it’s rough around the edges, but that’s what makes it real. No autotune, no fancy effects—just pure rock ‘n’ roll heart.
And here’s the thing: listening to this record now, decades later, it feels oddly timeless. Maybe because rockabilly will always have a place in our souls, or maybe because it reminds us of simpler times when music was more about vibes than perfection. Either way, All Mamas Children / Todos Los Niños de Mamá deserves a spot in every true rocker’s collection.
So yeah, go ahead and give it a spin. Just don’t blame me if you start daydreaming about leather jackets and greased-back hair. Oh, and fun fact: rumor has it Carl Perkins actually wrote part of this album while eating paella in Madrid. True story? Who knows. But hey, wouldn’t that be wild?
