The cover of Jerry Lee Lewis’ “Last Man Standing”
My mother’s favorite recording artist was Jerry Lee Lewis. I was raised hearing Jerry Lee on the stereo. Lots and often. So, although I’m not a massive fan, I’m still a fan. I know his catalog very well, really love and can sing along with many of his songs, and respect him very much as an artist who helped define Rock’n’Roll and Country.
Mom passed away a couple of weeks ago, and in the cleaning up process I found a CD in her things — I had given it to her as a gift on her 78th birthday last year. Mom’s health, and her move into an assisted living facility, had curtailed her ability to dance around with the music blaring, and she hadn’t been able to go out and shop or anything. So, although the record came out in ’07, she had never heard it until I gave it to her last year — and neither had I until just the other day.
From the CD Jacket of “Last Man Standing” this is the so-called “million dollar quartet.” From left: Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Elvis, and Johnny Cash.
The title of this record comes from the fact that, of the four great members of the “million dollar quartet” (see photo at left) only Jerry Lee remains alive today. His double album The Session is an excellent record, a true milestone. Last Man Standing is a call back to that collaborative achievement.
Only better.
This is a collection of duets with some of the greatest Rock’n’Roll, Blues, and Country artists ever to step in front of a microphone. Take a look at the track listing below and see if you don’t see at least a few artists that you love.
Music is very subjective of course, but in my opinion, the only dog on the record is his duet with Kid Rock (they butcher the hell out of Honky Tonk Woman). But overall, this is an excellent record. This is Jerry Lee’s highest selling album to date, and that’s true for a reason.
Highly recommended.
| Track Num | Title/Credit/Length | Duet with |
| 1 | Rock and Roll (John Paul Jones, John Bonham, James Patrick Page, Robert Plant) – 2:14 | Jimmy Page |
| 2 | Before the Night Is Over (Benjamin Peters) – 3:39 | B. B. King |
| 3 | Pink Cadillac (Bruce Springsteen) – 3:55 | Bruce Springsteen |
| 4 | Evening Gown (Mick Jagger) – 3:57 | Mick Jagger and Ron Wood |
| 5 | You Don’t Have to Go (James Matcher Reed) – 4:00 | Neil Young |
| 6 | Twilight (Robbie Robertson and David Campbell) – 2:48 | Robbie Robertson |
| 7 | Travelin’ Band (John Fogerty) – 2:01 | John Fogerty |
| 8 | That Kind of Fool (Mack Vickery) – 4:14 | Keith Richards |
| 9 | Sweet Little 16 (Chuck Berry) – 3:04 | Ringo Starr |
| 10 | Just a Bummin’ Around (Pete Graves) – 2:43 | Merle Haggard |
| 11 | Honky Tonk Woman (Jagger/Richards) – 2:21 | Kid Rock |
| 12 | What’s Made Milwaukee Famous (Has Made a Loser Out of Me) (Glenn Sutton) – 2:39 | Rod Stewart |
| 13 | Don’t Be Ashamed of Your Age (Cindy Walker, Bob Wills) – 1:59 | George Jones |
| 14 | Couple More Years (Dennis Locorriere, Shel Silverstein) – 5:13 | Willie Nelson |
| 15 | Old Glory (Paul Roberts, Shelby Darnell, Jerry Lee Lewis) – 2:05 | Toby Keith |
| 16 | Trouble in Mind (Richard M. Jones) – 3:49 | Eric Clapton |
| 17 | I Saw Her Standing There (John Lennon, Paul McCartney) – 2:21 | Little Richard |
| 18 | Lost Highway (Leon Payne) – 2:59 | Delaney Bramlett |
| 19 | Hadacohl Boogie (Bill Nettles) – 3:18 | Buddy Guy |
| 20 | What Makes the Irish Heart Beat (Van Morrison) – 4:12 | Don Henley |
| 21 | The Pilgrim Ch. 33 (Kris Kristofferson) – 3:00 | Kris Kristofferson |
Robert Mitchell Jr. 