Single Of The Day-Alabama “Song Of The South”

Greetings from Asheville, where good music is always found on the turntable, in the CD, or in the MP3 player. Today’s Single Of The Day gave Alabama their twenty-fourth number one hit. Since their initial arrival into the top 10 in 1980, number one was a place that Alabama visited often. In fact, beginning with their 1^st chart topper, “Tennessee River”, in the late Summer of 1980, every single would peak at that position until 1987′s “Tar Top” failed to hit number one, a total of twenty-one straight. Worth noting that their next six singles would also peak at number one, including today’s Single of The Day.

“Song Of The South” wasn’t a new song, in fact, it had been released, previously, as a single in 1982 by Tom T. Hall & Earl Scruggs. Yet, it was a song unknown to most until Alabama’s version hit the charts in December, 1988. The single would climb to number one, spending one week on top in February, 1989.

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This Week’s Ultimate Twang Recap…

Greetings from Asheville, where good music is always found on the turntable, in the CD player, or the MP3 player.  The latest Ultimate Twang show hit the computers, worldwide, Thursday afternoon, and below, the playlist for the show. Now, if you were unable to catch the show, or if you did and simply want to hear it again, then good  news!  Ultimate Twang is now being replayed, three times weekly on Asheville Free Media, Friday at 1p, Sunday at 8a, and Wednesday at 10a.  In addition, by simply going to the Ultimate Twang page at Asheville Free Media, you can listen to the show, anytime.  Simply scroll down below the playlist dates (click on those if you want to see the playlists, each week) and click on the listen button and you will get the latest edition of Ultimate Twang.

And now, this week’s playlist.

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Family Affair

Not the TV show from the 1960′s, but rather today’s show, it seems, as several family acts will be popping up on today’s show. That would include The Everly Brothers; The Forester Sisters; Waylon Jennings and his wife, Jessi Colter; along with three other wedded couples, Jack Blanchard and Misty Morgan; Johnny & Jonie Mosby; and Carl and Pearl Butler.
But it’s not all just family. Got Conway Twitty in line, vintage Al Dexter, some Tim McGraw, Holly Dunn, and Clint Black, to name a few.
And of course, the UT Time Machine is revved up, making stops to this week in 1958, 1969, and 1974.
4p EST is the start time, so set the alarm and be ready to crank up the speakers!  No matter where you live, all you have to do is go to the Asheville Free Media site and click on listen live in the upper right hand corner.  Join me for some fun!

You can get to the Asheville Free Media site by simply going to http://ashevillefm.org.

Classic Album Review-Roy Acuff “Sings Famous Opry Favorites”

Greetings from Asheville, where good music is always found on the turntable, in the CD player, or in the MP3 player. Today’s Classic Album Review is a mere one year younger than yours truly (the album, not the review). From 1967, it’s time to remember Roy Acuff’s Hickory Records release Roy Acuff Sings Famous Opry Favorites. It’s an album of The King Of Country Music singing cover versions of hits from the likes of Hank Snow, Ernest Tubb, Bill Monroe, and Don Gibson, just to name a few. The album failed to crack the Country bestseller lists as did both singles from the album.

Opening things on this album is Roy’s take on the Hank Snow classic “I’m Movin’ On”. It’s interesting to hear Roy sing these songs as most are a departure from the type of songs he normally sang. In addition, the arrangements are nothing like the typical Smokey Mountain Boys sound, but rather a contemporary traditional sound (for 1967). The aging is starting to creep into his voice, at this point, but there’s still enough in the tank that the vocals are still quality stuff on this track. I like Roy’s take on this track. This was the album’s first single, but failed to chart.

The Ernest Tubb’s “Tomorrow Never Comes” has more of the traditional Acuff sound, but here, I think they keyed the song too low, as he seems to struggle to hit the lowest nights. Decent track, but I think a little higher key would have done wonders for this one. It’s nice, though, how they ended the song very similar as to how the Texas Troubadours would have.

Roy Acuff gives a nice interpretation of the George Morgan hit, “Candy Kisses”. The vocals are good, here, and again, the arrangement, a mix of of the traditional Acuff sound and contemporary sounds, melds extremely well, giving you a very enjoyable track to listen.

Pretty much the same story with “I Love You Because” as it was with “Candy Kisses”. Even as his voice aged and lost it’s luster, Roy could still sell a song as well as anyone, this album is no exception. One note, the album credits Jim Reeves as the hit man for “I Love You Because” and while Jim did, indeed record the song, the hit version was actually the song’s writer, Leon Payne, along with another version by Ernest Tubb.

“Filipino Baby” may be Roy’s best vocals on the album. Roy simply nails this track, where he actually uses the vocal repeats that Cowboy Copas had used, but Ernest Tubb had not. Roy’s version is quicker than either of the other mentioned versions, as well. The banjo, featured prominent here, gives the track an almost bluegrass feel.

Side one ends with “I’ll Go On Alone”. The song was written by Marty Robbins and was one of his first hits, while also hitting for Webb Pierce. This is another good track that really melds everything ranging from Roy’s vocals to the arrangement and the song, very well. This was the album’s second single, hitting the market in the Spring of 1968.

“Foggy River” is the track that opens side two. The album mentions a 1946 version by Red Foley, but the biggest hit version was actually Carl Smith’s 1968 version. Roy gives a pretty decent version, here.

If there’s a track, here, that could be a potential train wreck, it would likely be Don Gibson’s Country-rocker “Oh Lonesome Me”. And while it’s not the best track on the album, it’s far from a train wreck, as Roy Acuff gives a more than credible performance, here. Not really Roy’s style of song, but it works okay.

Next, Roy tackles the Hank Locklin hit “Send Me The Pillow You Dream On”, featuring a heavy dose of dobro, likely Bashful Brother Oswald. This track isn’t quite as good as the others, Roy’s vocals sound a bit tired, here.

However, on “A Satisfied Mind”, the voice is as strong as anywhere on the album, as Roy gives another of the album’s best performances. A great song for Roy Acuff to cover.

Another song that might surprise some as to how well Roy handles is the Carl & Pearl Butler classic “Don’t Let Me Cross Over”. In fact, I’ll go so far as to call it another of the album’s standout tracks. Roy Acuff nails it, here.

To finish off this album, Roy and the band let it all out on Bill Monroe’s “Uncle Pen”. A rousing version where it sounds like everyone is having fun doing some picking and singing.

Not on the market, but I did find a few used copies, mostly under $10.

My pick for Standout Track is “Don’t Let Me Cross Over”. As for Hidden Gem, I’m going with “Uncle Pen” and here’s why; my 6 year old daughter has fallen in love with this version, in fact, I’ve had to play it 4 or 5 times while finishing this post! As for Weakest Track, I’m going with ‘Send Me The Pillow You Dream On”, Roy’s voice just sounds off or tired, here.

Overall, it’s pretty decent collection by the King Of Country Music, Roy Acuff. Before the first time I ever heard this album, I had some reservations, as Roy Acuff is best, singing those “mountain” type songs like “The Precious Jewel”. But he gave some very good performances on this album, definitely worth giving a listen to, especially if you are a Roy Acuff fan. I rate it a 4 out of 5.

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Single Of The Day-Roy Clark “Thank God And Greyhound”

Greetings from Asheville, where good music is always found on the turntable, in the CD player, or in the MP3 player. Your Single Of The Day, today, is one of the great hits of Roy Clark, in fact, one of my favorites. Roy was hot property, at the time of this hit, starring on Hee Haw, scoring hit singles, and quickly becoming a regular guest on many television shows. As Fall was beginning in 1970, Roy had just scored one of the big hits of the Summer with “I Never Picked Cotton” and now, it was time for the next release.

For that next release, Dot Records chose a song that has to be one of the more clever pieces ever written. Starting out in a slow, somewhat serious manner, until about halfway through, when, as the now ex-lover is leaving, instead of being sad as you’re led to think, Roy breaks into a jolly “thank God and Greyhound you’re gone!”. “Thank God And Greyhound” made it’s debut in October, 1970. It would become Roy’s fourth top ten hit, as it would peak at six.

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Last Week’s Ultimate Twang Show Recap

Last week’s show was a great mix of eras, as once again, we spent 3 hours, together, listening to some of the great hits of Country music’s past.  Each week, The Ultimate Twang show can be heard on Asheville Free Media, live at 4p EST on Thursday afternoon, followed by encore presentations at 1p Friday, Sunday morning at 8a, and Wednesday morning at 10a.  As for last week’s show, if you haven’t heard it, here’s what you missed…

Classic Album Review-Various Artists “The Steel Guitar Hall Of Fame”

Greetings from Asheville, where good music is always found on the turntable, in the CD player, or in the MP3 player. Today’s Classic Album Review remembers a 1968 album that featured some well-known maste

rs of the steel guitar. The Steel Guitar Hall Of Fame was a release on Starday’s subsidiary, Nashville Records. The album is very similar to a like-titled 1963 Starday release, but the differences are that the original release contained fourteen tracks, compared to ten, here. And, of the ten tracks, here, all but Leon McAuliffe’s “Columbus Stockade” appeared on the original. The tracks that appeared on the original, but didn’t make the cut, here, include…

• Leon McAuliffe – “Steel Guitar Rag”
• Brumfield – “I’ll Be All Smiles Tonight”
• Cousin Jody – “Jody’s Chimes”
• Tommy Hill’s Nashville String Band – “Night Walk”
• Speedy West – “Steel Guitar Special”

The album includes two tracks that had been issued, previously, as singles, Pete Drake’s “Pleading” and Bashful Brother Oswald’s “Beneath The Willow”. Neither single charted, nor did the album.

The Pete Drake track is the opening cut for this album. A slower ballad that features a rhythm reminiscent of those early Rock ‘N Roll songs. This is a tremendous track. If you’re not a steel guitar fan, this track could make you one, very quickly.

Leon McAuliffe, longtime member of Bob Wills’ Texas Playb

oys, gives you a taste of that Western Swing sound with “Columbus Stockade”. A bright piece that actually features the rest of his band as much as it does McAuliffe, himself.

Next, it’s Herb Remington playing the swinging “Nashville Glide”. A track that I’m guessing, based on the sound, was recorded in the 1950′s (I was unable to locate an exact date), Nothing fancy, just tempo and great playing.

I also find myself really liking the Jimmy Day cut, “Steel Driver”. Day, a legend, can also be heard on the Ray Price classic “Crazy Arms”

. A driving rhythm, with a touch of attitude make this one a winner.

Side one ends with a crisp, clear version of the old song, “Salty Dog”, performed by the legendary Shot Jackson. Minimal background musicians, allow for Jackson’s playing to stay firmly on the center stage. An excellent track.

Side two opens with “Tennessee Plowboy”, a track from Little Roy Wiggins. Little Roy Wiggins gained his fame on steel guitar playing on many of Eddy Arnold’s big 1940′s and early 1950′s hits. That time spent with Arnold, who was known as the Tennessee Plowboy, is the likely inspiration for t

his track’s title. The mid tempo piece features that distinctive style that was featured on the Arnold records.

Buddy Emmons contributes a nice ballad, “Singing Strings”. Buddy Emmons is one of the greatest and most influential of the steel guitar players, having recorded on thousands of sessions (it’s Buddy you hear on Faron Young’s version of “Sweet Dreams” and Ernest Tubb’s “Half A Mind”). In addition, he toured with both Ernest Tubb and Ray Price, as well as having toured and recorded solo.

“Hilo March” is an up tempo piece that features Jerry Byrd. A sl

ight Hawaiian feel to this track, it’s a definite toe tapper.

Former Drifting Cowboy Don Helms plays the steel for “Opry Express”, a bouncy track with a great melody.

Bashful Brother Oswald wraps things with his “Beneath The Willow”, featuring his trademark dobro-style that could be heard on Roy Acuff’s records. Good track to wrap the album.

Long out of print, I was able to find a few used copies, all ranging in the $20 to $25 area.

My pick for a Standout Track would be Pete Drake’s “Pleading”. Great track, simply put. There are no weak tracks, here, but as far as the Hidden Gem goes, I’m going with the Jimmy Day track, “Steel Driver”.

Overall, it’s an album that you will like if you like the sound of a steel guitar. One nice thing about this album, is that, unlike some Starday/Gusto releases, the sound quality here, is pretty good. The levels are consistent and no distortion. Of course, it’s a chance to experience some of the all-time greats, as well. I like this album. I’m giving it a 4 out of 5.

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Single Of The Day-George Strait “I Just Want To Dance With You”

Greetings from Asheville, where good music is always found on the turntable, in the CD player, or in the MP3 player. Your Single Of The Day is one of the big hits of 1998, and one of forty-four number one hits for the legendary George Strait. Did you know that the last year that did not have a George Strait single make the top ten was 1980, the year before his 1^st hit? It’s an unbelievable mark that not even the likes of George Jones, Elvis Presley, or Eddy Arnold can lay claim to.

“I Just Want To Dance With You” was the second of two number one hits for George Strait in 1998. The lead-off single from his MCA album One Step At A Time album, the single made it to number one in June, where it would stay for three weeks. One of George’s mid tempo ballads, a smooth, easy piece that is prototypical George Strait.

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Classic Album Review-Tex Williams “Those Lazy Hazy Days”

Greetings from Asheville, where good music can always be found on the turntable, in the CD player, or the MP3 player, as well. Today’s Classic Album Review takes you to a place you likely haven’t been, previously; in front of a speaker listening to the 1974 Tex Williams release, Those Lazy Hazy Days. His only release for the Granite label, the album didn’t garner much attention, upon it’s release, failing to find the album charts, while only one of the three singles released from the album, charted.

Tex, himself, had pretty much fallen from view, as far as chartdom was concerned. He had last appeared on the Country 40 in 1971 with “The Night Miss Nancy Ann’s Hotel For Single Girls Burned Down”, the eighteenth and final Country 40 entry for Tex. Tex had first gained fame in the 1940′s, as the lead vocalist for Spade Cooley’s band, and can even be heard on Cooley’s biggest hit, “Shame On You”. Tex would eventually leave and form his own band, The Western Caravan, and would score hits such as “Life Gits Tee-jus, Don’t It”, “Never Trust A Woman”, and the smash “Smoke Smoke Smoke (That Cigarette)”.

Those Lazy Hazy Days was Tex’s seventh album of original material.

The title cut, “Those Lazy Hazy Crazy Days Of Summer” is the opening track. I have to admit to being a bit skeptical, before my first hearing of Tex’s take on the Nat King Cole hit, but have to admit to being pleasantly surprised at how well Tex handled the track. In fact, one would almost think the song was written with Tex’s deep vocals in mind. Credit, too, the legendary Cliffie Stone, who produced the album, for a really good arrangement, as well. This was the album’s one charting single, but it only mustered a seventy peak.

Another of the album’s singles, “Is This All You Hear (When A Heart Breaks)” also garners good marks, with a fine vocal performance by Tex Williams on a good quality track.

Coal mine tragedies have, from time to time, found their way into Country music lore. “The Death Of Floyd Collins” and “Last Day In The Mines” immediately come to mind. “Nowhere West Virginia” is in that same vein, but as a composition, I don’t this track is quite as good. Also, unlike the first two tracks, Tex’s vocals sounds aged, here.

The vocals return, though, on the playful “Bum, Bum Bum”, which is a lighthearted play on Conway Twitty’s classic “You’ve Never Been This Far Before”. Not a bad novelty track, but unfortunately, as a single, it garnered little notice.

Side one ends with “Mother Was A Sideman”, an okay track. The vocals are a bit shaky at the start, but seem to warm up by the end.

Side two opens with a playful nod to Merle Haggard and his classic “Working Man Blues”, with “I’m Haggard Too”. A pretty decent track, and lyrically, a track that many, today, can identify with.

“Dust On The Snow” is a decent little track about the old man who has the advice about the passing days. The real highlight is the great speaking voice of Tex Williams.

One of the highlights of the album, may well be “The Place Marked M-E-N”, a pretty humorous adventure in the local bar. I thought this was a great track.

Tex next tackles a track titled “Hey Warden”. A mid tempo track, one that really didn’t do anything for me one way or the other. Again, Tex’s vocals sound a little worn, here, compared to some of the other tracks.

The album wraps with a quick-paced little piece titled “Fire And Blisters”. Not the album’s best track, but not bad; a track that has a catchy melody and decent lyrics. Tex’s vocals are stronger, here, as he gives a fine performance to wrap the album.

Though this album doesn’t appear to be available on CD, it is available as an MP3 download. Plus, I actually found several used copies in the $5 to $18 range.

I give the title track my Standout Track, while I’m giving “The Place Marked M-E-N” my Hidden Gem nod. “Hey Warden” gets my Weakest Track nod.

Overall, it’s not a bad album. In spots, Tex’s voice seems a little worn with age, but in other places, it’s nearly as good as his hit-making days. The arrangements are fine, while the songs are good. I give this one a 3 out of 5.

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Single Of The Day-Ronnie Milsap “Houston Solution”

Greetings from Asheville, where good music can always be found on the turntable, as well as the CD and MP players. Your Single Of The Day is one of forty-nine top ten hits that Ronnie Milsap enjoyed during his hit-making days.

The forty-fourth of those top ten hits, made it’s debut in May, 1989, and would peak at four, by the end of Summer. “Houston Solution”, along with it’s immediate predecessor, “Don’t You Ever Get Tired (Of Hurting Me)”, showed that Ronnie could still twang it up with the best of them. Not an out-and-out slow song, but a medium-slow tempo, the sound was really a departure from the singles that had preceded both of these. Those singles, while hits, had shown some of the strongest Pop-influenced sound of Ronnie’s discography; “Where Do The Nights Go”, “Button Off My Shirt”, and “How Do I Turn You On”, in particular. “Houston Solution”, though, was good Country.

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