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COUNTRY, BLUEGRASS & OLD-TIMEY

Wagon -> The Warrior River Boys

WAGON
PORTER WAGONER
JIMMY WAKELY
THE JIMMY WAKELY TRIO
BILLY WALKER
CHARLIE WALKER
JERRY JEFF WALKER
WILEY WALKER & GENE SULLIVAN
CHARLIE WALLER & THE COUNTRY GENTLEMEN
DOUG & JACK WALLIN
DON WALSER
THE WARRIOR RIVER BOYS
 

WAGON Hightone HCD 8072 No Kinder Rom ● CD $15.98
This is the debut album from this St. Louis based group described as a "country influenced rock band". Delivered in a constant mid tempo and three part vocals that quickly becomes monotonous, the songs convey, in the words of the promotional material, a quiet and poignant desperation. I would agree on the desperation part, but found the lyrics to be totally enigmatic and frequently unintelligible. I confess, I haven't a clue what these guys are singing about! Least you think I'm exaggerating, what who you make of "In the end he'll lose his head, and he'll always lose his keys, to a room twice as big as the one he sees" (! ?). I'm glad Hightone Records is expanding their artist roster, but I wish they'd exercise a bit more quality control. (DP)

 
PORTER WAGONER Bear Family BCD 15499 The Thin Man From West Plains: RCA Sessions 1952-62 ● CD $94.98
4 CDs, 112 tracks, approx. 4 hr. 33 min. recommended Looking objectively at Porter's first RCA recordings from 1952-1953, one can only marvel at how derivative of Hank Williams he was. Songs like Trinidad weren't even very good in 1953. Luckily, Porter found his own voice with Company's Comin' and particularly A Satisfied Mind, which sound good even today. From 1954 on, the musical proceedings took a dramatic upturn as he created his own proudly hillbilly style, that even Chet Atkins' Nashville Sound alterations couldn't overwhelm. The early hits are here, among them Eat, Drink and Be Merry (Tomorrow You'll Cry), the immortal What Would You Do (If Jesus Came to Your House), Uncle Pen/ Tryin' To Forget the Blues/ Your Old Love Letters/ Misery Loves Company/ Cold Dark Waters and I've Enjoyed As Much of This As I Can Stand. The booklet is loaded with old photos, ads and information from annotator Dale Vinicur, whose research features occasional gaffes, but does the job. (RK)

 
PORTER WAGONER Hollywood HCD 419 Heartwarming Songs ● CD $7.98

 
PORTER WAGONER Jasmine 3507 A Rare Slice Of Country ● CD $11.98
22 tracks, 57 mins, highly recommended. A fine collection of 22 sides by this fine honky tonk SINGER. The first 10 tracks features some of Porter's very earliest sides, presumably from the early 50s, finding Porter strongly under the influence of Hank Williams and Left Frizzell but also showing his originality on songs like River Of Love and I Betcha My Heart, I Love You. The rest of the tracks are from mid 50s radio shows, usually hosted by Red Foley. There are fine versions of some of his hits like Satisfied Mind/ Eat, Drink, And Be Merry (Tomorrow You'll Cry)/ I Thought I Heard You Call My Name and others as well as fine non hits like Be Glad That You Ain't Me/ Love At First Sight, two versions of If You Don't, Somebody Else Will - one a duet with Foley and a fine gospel song Good Morning Neighbour with a trio vocal. There are several comedy interludes which are more entertaining than usual - lots of jokes at the expense of Porter's slender frame. Excellent sound.

 
PORTER WAGONER Koch 7987 In Person ● CD $11.98
One of the earliest and rarest live country recordings from 1964.

 
PORTER WAGONER Shell Point 1002 The Best I've Ever Been ● CD $14.98
First new recordings in a while by this country music legend finds him in good form on a selection of 11 new songs.

 
PORTER WAGONER & THE BLACKWOOD BROTHERS King 5108 The Grand Old Gospel ● CD $8.98
12 tracks, 33 mins, recommended Reissue of 1966 RCA album. A fine collection of country gospel featuring the fine lead vocals of Porter accompanied by the pleasing harmonies of The Blackwwod Brothers - When I Reach That City/ The Family Who Prays (Never Shall Part)/ If We never Meet Again/ Trouble In The Amen Corner/ I See A Bridge/ A House Of Gold+6.

 
PORTER WAGONER & DOLLY PARTON RCA 66858 The Essential Porter & Dolly ● CD $15.98
20 tracks, 51 min., recommended. Though they are superficially dissimilar, the tall lanky and considerably older music veteran from Missouri and the buxom little lady from Tennessee certainly produced an exemplary share of solid country hits in the late 60's and throughout the 70's. And those are the very tracks featured here, including The Last Thing on My Mind, Holding on to Nothin', Just Someone I Used to Know, Daddy Was an Old Time Preacher Man, Burning the Midnight Oil, Please Don't Stop Loving Me, Is Forever Longer Than Always, and Making Plans. Solid music from start to finish, offered here with several photos and solid notes by Wade Jessen. Their timing and their sympathetic vocal blend clearly put Porter and Dolly in the front ranks of country male/female duos. Note, however, that 10 of the tracks here duplicate cuts on the budget set on Pair. (DH)

 
JIMMY WAKELY Bronco Buster 9032 Great Hillbilly & Western/ Swing Rarities ● CD $19.98
This album of 20 rare tunes will be a welcome addition to any Western collection. Four feature "Fiddlin" Arthur Smith, who appeared in numerous Wakely films. These fit the "hillbilly" category suggested in the album's title. A fifth, I Miss You Since You've Been Gone, was performed by Wakely on the screen but, unfortunately, Smith does the vocal here. But the rest makes this a highly desirable album. The Sunshine Gals, who also appeared in Wakely films, do a couple of songs, and Wakely's smooth vocals are featured on the remaining tracks. The supporting musicians are not identified, but the sound is much like that of the groups that backed Jimmy in films. Titles include I Hear You Talkin'/ Neath The Purple On The Hill/ Too Bad Little Girl, Too Bad/ The Old Spinning Wheel/ There's An Empty Cot In the Bunkhouse/ In A Little House On The Hill and When It's Night Time In Nevada, among others. Fidelity is not perfect, but that doesn't interfere with enjoyment of the music. Highly recommended. (OJS)
JIMMY WAKELY: 'neath the Purple on the Hill/ Cimarron (Roll On) (Voc.: the Sunshine Girls)/ Crazy Blues (Vocal: Arthur Smith)/ Fort Worth Jail (Voc.: Sunshine Girls)/ I Hear You Talkin'/ I Miss You since You've Been Gone (Voc.: with Arthur Smith)/ I Wonder Where You Are Tonight (Voc. Sunshine Girls)/ I'll Be Faithful/ Iin a Little House on the Hill/ Is this a Dream/ Orange Blossom Special (Vocal with Arthur Smith)/ Take Me Back to Tennessee (Voc. With Arthur Smith)/ The Honey Song (Honey, I'm in Love with You)/ The Old Spinning Wheel/ There's an Empty Cot in the Bunkhouse Tonight./ Too Bad Little Girl Too Bad/ When It's Night Time in Nevada/ Why Should I Wonder (Voc.: with Arthur Smith)/ You Still Belong to Me/ this Night Is Mine

 
JIMMY WAKELY Varese 66134 Very Best Of ● CD $11.98
 

 
JIMMY WAKELY Varese 66139 Christmas Collection ● CD $11.98
 

 
THE JIMMY WAKELY TRIO Bronco Buster 9042 The Legendary Jimmy Wakely Trio ● CD $19.98
20 tracks from Thesaurus radio transcriptions from around 1942.
THE JIMMY WAKELY TRIO: Birmingham Jail/ Good-bye, Good Luck, My Darling/ I Won't Stand in Your Way/ I Wonder Where You Are Tonight/ I'm Thinking Tonight of My Blue Eyes/ I've Tried to Forget That I Love You/ If You Knew What it Meant to Be Lonesome/ Little Tumbleweed/ Margarita/ Over The Santa Fe Trail/ The Bells of San Juan/ The End of the Trail/ The Last Long Trail/ The Sweet Prairie Rose/ The Unopened Letter/ There's a Roundup Ahead (for the Cowboys)/ Too Late/ When My Blue Moon Turns to Gold Again/ Whoopee Ti Yi Yo/ out Where the Wind Blows

 
BILLY WALKER Bear Family BCD 15657 Cross The Brazos At Waco ● CD $132.98
6 CD's, 157 songs, approximately 7 hrs. recommended Texan Billy Walker had some good years on the charts but hasn't had much notice on the reissue front. Walker oldies like Cross the Brazos At Waco and the honkytonk number Charlie's Shoes remain minor favorites today. Hank Thompson got him onto Capitol in 1949 and he signed with Columbia in '51. Even then it took three years until Thank You For Calling propelled him into the Top Ten. The focus here is the first 15 years of his career from the first Capitol session until his last Columbia session in 1965. Walker stuck to honkytonk and all these records. A falling-out out with Capitol exec Dee Kilpatrick described in Colin Escott's notes ended that association and Dallas studio owner Jim Beck brought him to Columbia's attention. The material speaks for itself, but among the curiosities are a 1952 session backed by Leon McAuliffe's Western Swing Band and a 1957 date at producer Norman Petty's New Mexico studios. Walker shared his session time with Buddy Holly, and members of Holly's band the Crickets even backed Billy. Along with Claude Gray, Walker was among the first to record Willie Nelson songs, having covered Nelson's The Storm Within My Heart in 1959. In 1961 Walker was the first to record Funny How Time Slips Away, all part of this set. The booklet is typical Bear Family: Colin Escott's notes were based on new interviews with Walker, and rare photos, advertisements and posters covering all the same period as the music. Many fans might not want this much Walker, but for those who do, it's definitive. (RK)

 
BILLY WALKER Columbia 52963 Greatest Hits ● CD $9.98
 

 
BILLY WALKER Deluxe 7825 The Best Of Billy Walker ● CD $8.98
Enjoyable collection of 20 sides recorded in the 70s or 80s by this fine Texas singer. Billy has had a hitmaking career going back to the mid 50s and this selection is mostly remakes of his hits like Charlie's Shoes/ Matamoros/ When A Man Loves A Woman/ Cross The Brazos At Waco/ She Goes Walking Through My Mind/ A Million And One/ Circumstances and others.

 
CHARLIE WALKER Bear Family BCD 15852 Pick Me Up On Your Way ● CD $113.98
5 CD box set with 40 page book documenting the career of this fine and underrated artist starting with his earliest recordings cut for Imperial in 1952 to his classic Columbia and Epic sides.

 
JERRY JEFF WALKER MCA 919 Viva Terlingua ● CD $11.98
 

 
JERRY JEFF WALKER Rhino 71518 Mr. Bojangles ● CD $11.98
 

 
JERRY JEFF WALKER Vanguard 73124 Driftin' Way Of Life ● CD $13.98
 

 
JERRY JEFF WALKER Vanguard 79532 Best Of The Vanguard Years ● CD $15.98
 

 
WILEY WALKER & GENE SULLIVAN Old Homestead 4188 Radio Favorites ● CD $16.98
24 tracks, 68 mins, recommended. Fine selection of sides by this country duo from Alabam who were very popular in the late 30s and early 40s. Singer and fiddler Walker and singer & guitarist Sullivan were also prolific songwriters and originated the country standards When My Blue Moon Turns To Gold and Live And Let Live. It's not clear if these performances are all from radio shows - some certainly are. They perform a mixture of old time country, Western flavored items, sentimental songs, blues, novelty songs and more. On some tracks they are joined by steel guitar, electric guitar, accordion and other instruments. Songs include Make Room In Your Heart/ I Want To Live And Love/ Please Pass The Biscuits/ Don't That Moon Look Lonesome/ How Does One Forget, etc. Sound quality is decent and there are informative notes by Bill Malone. (FS)

 
CHARLIE WALLER & THE COUNTRY GENTLEMEN Rebel 1699 New Horizon ● CD $15.98
 

 
DOUG & JACK WALLIN Smithsonian Folkways 40013 Family Songs & Stories From The North Carolina Mountain ● CD $14.98
 

 
DON WALSER Texas Music Group 4007 Dare To Dream ● CD $16.98
 

 
DON WALSER Texas Music Group 4502 Rolling Stone From Texas ● CD $12.98
12 Tracks, 39 min., recommended. Originally on Watermelon. Heart songs, cowboy songs, a couple of Western Swing tunes and a Tex-Mex border song... Don Walser is doing his part to keep traditional country music alive and vibrant with both his choice of music and his booming voice, not to mention his yodeling. Walser wrote or co-wrote five songs and the covers include Marty Robbins Don't Worry 'bout Me, Ernie Ford's Shotgun Boogie. Jimmie Rodger's California Blues and Willie Nelson's Three Days. Stellar musicians including Cindy Cashdollar, Ray Benson, Johnny Gimble and Floyd Domino support Walser. My only criticism is that some times the CD almost sounds too polished, I wish it could have been a little more ragged. But it's pretty difficult not to smile when you're listening to Walser belt these songs out. He's got a great voice and his love of the music can be heard in his singing. (RS)

 
DON WALSER Texas Music Group 4503 Texas Top Hand ● CD $12.98
12 tracks, 41 min; essential Don's "Rolling Stone From Texas" (Watermelon 1028) was one of my favorite recordings of 1995, and this one will probably make my top ten list, too, containing as it does 12 examples of Don's robust vocals and incredible yodeling on a mix of western swing, honky tonk standards, cowboy ballads, and Don's original songs, all backed up by cream of the crop Texas country and swing musicians, including album producer Ray Benson and other Asleep At The Wheel members. Songs include Tumbling Tumbleweeds/ Wine Me Up/ Signosts Of Life/ Divorce Me COD/ Whispering Pines/ Big Blue Diamonds, and Danny Boy. This portly, middle-aged west Texas singer is an unlikely country star in 1996, but his recordings put most recent attempts to recreate the styles he performs to shame. He's not recreating anything; he's obviously been close to this stuff his whole life; it's strange that most of the country music world is only now catching up with him. (RP)

 
THE WARRIOR RIVER BOYS Rounder 0270 New Beginnings ● CD $15.98
 

 
THE WARRIOR RIVER BOYS Rounder 0310 Sounds Like Home ● CD $15.98
 

 

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