Friends, you are holding the fifth opus of "Rhythm & Western" and we got 5 more boss volumes on ice. I must confess Solomon Burke's classic "How Many Times" always sounded like a Country song to me, so I'm glad I could include it here, Damita Jo delivers does a fantastic version of Ray Price's classic C&W hit "Crazy Arms" also recorded by Jerry Lee Lewis, Patsy Cline, Waylon Jennings, and countless others, another Country hit "You're The Reason" (originally recorded by Bobby Edwards) is delivered by Arthur Alexander. The great Fats Domino is next with his famous version of "Jambalaya" (originally written and recorded by Hank Williams), King Curtis gives a splendid rendition of Hank Snow's "I'm Movin' On" also recorded by a buttload of other artists. To my knowledge, Little Richard never recorded a "bonafide" country song, but some of his Gospel stuff sounds just like it. Just listen to "Do Lord, Remember Me" if you have any doubt. Sonny Boy Williamson II (a.k.a. Rice Miller) and Peppermint Harris, with "Wake Up Baby" and "I Got Loaded" are offering two delightful bronze hillbilly tunes, and ""Solid As A Rock" is probably the closest thing to country music ever recorded by Jazz legend Ella Fitzgerald. More fave black C&W of mine by The Twilighters (Hootenanny Stomp), The Sharps (Look At Me), Ruth Brown (Jack O’Diamonds), Magic Sam (Square Dance Rock Part 1), Ted Taylor (Keep Walking On), Pee Wee Crayton (Little Bitty Things) , Bobby Day (Undecided), Fats Domino (Bo Weavil). Smokey Hogg (Late Prowling Girl), Ketty Lester (Love Letters), Ben E. King (My Heart Cries For You), and Rochell & The Candles (When My Baby Is Gone) are all top-notch tracks. Country Music fans probably heard "Hearts Of Stone" by Red Foley and the song has been recorded by tons of other artists. I picked the cool version recorded by Otis Williams and The Charms over the one by The Jewels for this volume -but they are both great. Johnny Nash is next with another Western classic "Cigareetes, Whusky & Wild Wild" originally recorded by The Sons Of The Pioneers. R&B diva Dinah Washington had a top 3 R&B hit in 1954 with the Hank Snow's number "I Don't Hurt Anymore" but I heard versions of this song by Eddie Fisher, Faron Young, Johnny Cash, Narvel Felts, Bill Haley, and Janis Martin. Another western tune penned and first recorded by Hank Williams: "Cold Cold Heart" is sung by Nat King Cole and two gospel songs that sound just like C&W by Sister Rosetta (On My Way) and Professor Johnson and his Gospel Singers (Where Shall I Be) are really worth more than a spin. The closing number is an older classic blues recording from the 1930s the great Casey Bill Weldon which sounds just like Western Swing. Enjoy!
01. Mickey & Sylvia – I’m So Glad (Robinson) Rainbow 316 1955
02. Big Al Downing – When My Blue Moon Turns To Gold Again (Sullivan, Walker) Carlton 507 1959
03. King Curtis – Steel Guitar Rag (Stone, McCauliffe, Travis) King 5647 1962
04. Little Willie John – She Thinks I Still Care (Lipscomb, Duffy) King 5667 1962
05. Johnny Fuller – Haunted House (Geddins) Speciality 655 1959
06. Cecil Gant – Shotgun Boogie (Ford) Decca 9-48200 1951
07. Joe Henderson – Snap Your Fingers (Martin, Zinetis) Todd 1072 1962
08. Lil’ Son Jackson – No Money, No Love (Jackson) Gold Star 653 1949
09. Little Richard – Joy, Joy, Joy (Down In My Heart) (Gabriel) Mercury AMT1165 1961
10. Bubber Johnson – Keep A Light In The Window For Me (Johnson) King 4872 1956
11. Lazy Lester – If You Think I’ve Lost You (West) Excello 2219 1962
12. Joe Jones – McDonalds Daughter (P. D.) Roulette 25413 1961
13. Richard Berry – What Good Is A Heart (Tevis) Smash 1789 1962
14. Johnny Nash – I’m Movin’ On (Snow) Warner Bros. 5336 1963
15. Clyde McPhatter – Let’s Forget About The Past (Oliver, McPhatter) Mercury 71941 1962
16. Larry Williams – You Bug Me Baby (Williams, Bono) Speciality 615 1957
17. Lloyd Price – Pistol Packing Mama (Dexter) Double L 714 1963
18. Wynonie Harris – Bloodshot Eyes (Penny, Hall) Roulette 4291 1960
19. Dee Dee Sharp – You Are My Sunshine (Davis) Cameo 1032 1963
20. Brook Benton – The Same One (Benton, Otis) Mercury 71652 1960
21. Ivory Joe Hunter – A Tear Fell (Burton, Randolf) Atlantic 1086 1956
22. Wade Flemons – I Hope, I Think , I Wish (Pay) Vee Jay 471 1962
23. The Platters – Blue Christmas (Hayes, Johnson) Mercury SR60841 1963
24. Sam Cooke – Along The Navajo Trail (Chares, Lange, Marks) Keen 82112 1960
25. Eugene Church – Light Of The Moon (Church, Otis) King 5610 1962
26. Arthur Alexander – I Wonder Where You Are Tonight (Bond) Dot 16454 1963
27. Lavern Baker – Humpty Dumpty Heart (Boye) Atlantic 1150 1957
28. Blind Willie McTell – Pal Of Mine (McTell) Prestige Bluesville 1040 1961
