Interesting idea for a compilation, wonder if any label has attempted such a thing. Plenty of other examples here: INSTRUMENTALS, turned into songs with lyrics
Bear Family did one once a long time ago - Hast Du worte? BCD 16283. It's no longer available. Hast du Worte? - Als die Instrumentals sprechen lernten (CD) – jpc
When it comes to releasing career-focused collections of specific artists, I wouldn't mind seeing more 1CD collections from Bear Family in the future. The 1CD comp is a highly underrated release format perfected by BF, because it includes an informative booklet in addition to the terrific music and a reasonable price point. I've found more 1CD BF titles stocked in record stores as opposed to multi-disc box sets and in this current economic climate, it seems very practical. What is your favorite 1CD title released by BF? The Ed Bruce comp entitled "Puzzles" is a nice example of a well-executed 1CD by BF
that's a brilliant disc! I like the John D Loudermilk 3 stand alone discs. Leroy Van Dyke Crash Craddock Johnny Preston the David Allan Coe early 70's stand alone discs. Dorsey Burnette Ivo Robic Jimmy Dean Ned Miller Sid King and the 5 strings just off the top of my head.....
If you like pure country from early sixties in living wide stereo you should try this: Call Of The Wild | Bear Family Records That is real country music.It was my idea for release in late 80s.
I listed a number of favourites in the OP, but to make a more comprehensive list... Johnny Burnette Trio Sonny Burgess Janis Martin Jimmy McCracklin Joe Clay Howlin' Wolf Johnny Carroll Sid King's Five Strings Joe Carson Ronnie Self The Farmer Boys Curtis Gordon Big Jeff Bess Shakin' Up North Speaking of Ed Bruce, I wonder if his Sun recordings will ever make the jump to CD. Bear Family compiled them on an LP in the 80's but never took it past that.
Ed Bruce has done heaps! and covered a lot of ground. Some I love, some not so much. That would make one great complete Bear Family collection, including all of his MCA stuff too.
I have a 'love affair' with Jack Clement too, I wish Bear or Mr Weize would compile Jacks Sun recordings, plus all the independent recordings he made during the 60's on a disc too. Make it a double disc, and include his wonderful 'all I want to do in life' album not available on Cd.
In many ways, it's possible for Bear Family to cover more ground by releasing multiple 1CD comps of a particular artist. Manufacturing costs are much lower for a 1CD as opposed to a multi-disc box set. Not to mention, 1CD titles consume less storage space. The severe lack of recent new 1CD titles released by BF is extremely disheartening.
Per the article below, "....that isn't included on Battleground Korea but that he would like to make part of a follow-up compilation of songs from the immediate post-war wake....I'm hoping if the reception is good for (Battleground Korea) we can put together a good one or two CDs of music that reveal even more about the Korean War" 'Battleground Korea' Shines A Light on Music Inspired by America's 'Forgotten War'
Although I'm not personally a fan of David Allan Coe, the second wife was and she had most of those 1CD twofers released by Bear Family. As I recall, they were standard jewel case titles (much like the excellent Marty Robbins, Ed Bruce and Tom T. Hall 1CD discs) and those DAC titles were organized very well in terms of content. In some ways, it's better than having a comprehensive box set because the buyer can pick and choose the CDs they want to buy based on a particular album or song and without having to buy an entire box set. If only BF could repeat that pattern of 1CD releases with another artist. Which artist would you like to see be given the same 1CD treatment? Here is a funny video from a few years ago where a DAC fan robs a CD store.
Yes! these are excellent! and I agree, it allows a listener to pick and choose more carefully and keep things in a budget in where they may spend. I own all of these, and I am very impressed with the layout, the quality, even if some of the material is sub-par, some of it I think is wonderful, especially the early stuff the first 2 into 3 of the series. They also include the lyrics, and the quality is of course 'Bear' standard. Would be really lovely if they tackled more projects like this of other artists. There are just some artists I really don't want every 'cough' and 12 alternate takes of one song. Quite content if 'Bear' broke things up and released some artists' material like DAC.
As to Melstapler, one guy I wish they'd look at, is a British guy called 'Russ Hamilton'. He only released one album in 57 or 58, on Oriole records, but his two big hits were 'rainbow' and 'we will make love'. However, he did release a bunch of 45's in the early 60's, which didn't do anything. If you don't know him, this is his wiki: Russ Hamilton (singer) - Wikipedia I'll post a couple of tunes. Some of these have been released on budget labels, and honestly, they are quite awful. I think they are all needle drops, that have had the highs cut, and processed awfully to remove any 'crackle'. I have an original Australian Lp on the 'Galaxy' label, and it's great quality.
is the Jasmine Russ Hamilton Release no Good, ?? they usually do a fairly decent job on rare artists ..
I'd like to know about the quality of that Jasmine release. I've got some Jasmine releases that are average and some are great, so I didn't persue this one after I had purchased this one: which is a audio disaster, once compared to the original vinyl. I looked at one on spotify too, but apart from the hit song 'rainbow', the quality is in the gutter. I read somewhere, but I can't remember where, but it said the 'masters' were missing or gone hence why a lot of these were culled from records. If anyone has the Jasmine release, I'd like to know what they think of it.
Audio clips are available on Amazon. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Will-Make-Love-Under-Rainbow/dp/B00IIS4N5E
ahh I didn't think UK and US would be any different, no samples on US. that is a step up above the 'diamond' edition for sure, but still sounds muddy to me compared to the record. Probably not enough appeal either for 'Bear' to be interested in.
Cherry Red Records is probably the most Likely to Re-issue this artist..they have done recently Eden Kane, Mark Wynter, Maureen Evans ect ....