Rocking Roadhouse-style in April of 1981

Dave Edmunds : Almost Saturday Night

On the UK#37 Twangin', released in April of 1981, Dave Edmunds covers George Jones, John Hiatt and most memorably John Fogerty on the top 60 single "Almost Saturday Night". The songs have apparently all been pulled out of boxes of old recordings. An especially dusty box contained a 13 year old version of "Baby Let's Play House".

Smash Hits review :

Robert Gordon : Someday, Someway

Also in April of '81, rockabilly pioneer Robert Gordon released his fifth album, Are You Gonna Be The One, which introduced his fans to the songwriting of Marshall Crenshaw, who wrote both the title cut and the regional hit "Someday, Someway". New York City FM stations WLIR and WNEW played the hell out of the single. There's also "Drivin' Wheel" written by Billy Swan and T Bone Burnett.

Record World review

Willie Nile : Poor Boy

In April of 1981, Wille Nile followed up his critically acclaimed debut with Golden Down, a second solid collection of rootsy rock. But this time something was different and the critics at Stereo Review who called his debut the best album of 1980 ( tied with London Calling) wondered if Nile and producer Thom Panunzio were trying to turn Nile into a new Springsteen. Panunzio had worked on Darkness On The Edge of Town and critic Steve Simels wrote "It gets embarrassing --every third song or so you expect Willie to break into 'Backstreets', and you're almost surprised when he doesn't".

Cashbox Review:

Gary U.S. Bonds : This Little Girl

The real Bruce Springsteen and Stevie Van Zandt teamed up to bring 60's rocker Gary U.S. Bonds back into the spotlight on Dedication. The album features a Springsteen/Bonds duet on "Jole Blon" and three songs written by Springsteen including "This Little Girl", a US#11 hit. Payback perhaps for all the times Springsteen played "Quarter To Three"? 

The Fabulous Thunderbirds : I Believe I'm In Love

On Butt Rockin', The Fabulous Thunderbirds serve up more roadhouse style rock n roll. FM Radio stations put "I Believe I'm in Love" in rotation. We're still 5 years from "Wrap It Up". The band was scheduled to tour with Eric Clapton, but after Clapton's car accident in Seattle postponed the tour, they wound up supporting Tom Petty.

A rave from Stereo Review:

Joe Ely : Dallas

Released after his tour with The Clash Joe Ely's Musta Notta Gotta Lotta is infused with rockabilly. Ely cranks up the tempo on his cover of Jimmie Dale Gilmore's "Dallas".