Great find! Patton is best known for a handful of rockabilly tunes he put out in the 50's, some of which were released under his real name, Oscar Patton. Take 30 Minutes was supposedly released in 1961 or '62. I have a compilation CD that covers his career from '55 to '76, but it only features two songs from that LP. He's found his way onto a number of BF releases including Bakersfield, Big D Jamboree, and That'll Flat Git It Vol. 27. Discogs actually lists which compilations an artist has been featured on under the "Appearances" tab: Jimmy Patton Tragically, Jimmy Patton died following a car accident in 1989.
Some great country music with Narvel Felts in the 70s: Narvel Felts CD: Drift Away - Best 1973-1979 (CD) - Bear Family Records (bear-family.com) Narvel Felts -- Drift Away - YouTube She Loves Me Like a Rock - YouTube I Want to Stay - YouTube
Be Sharp's newest state box is up for preorder! This one covers the Virginias and is a bit smaller at five discs. Various CD: Virginia & West Virginia Box - 1950s & 1960s Oddball Labels (5-CD Box Set) - Bear Family Records
The Fats Domino boxset is back up on Fats Domino Box set: I’ve Been Around - The Complete Imperial and ABC Recordings (12-CD & DVD Deluxe Box Set) - Bear Family Records
Here on Facebook is another Bear Family group for collectors you can be a member of: Bear Family Records Collectors Group | I’ve been looking for this one for a long time. | Varsler | Facebook
Having a ball with the first three in this series. I love hearing how commercial honky tonk and ballad country begins to carve itself out of the swing era (my favorite in jazz/pop), while highlighting the joy and skill of western swing itself, and how stars like Roy, Eddy, Ernest, Bob, and Rose Maddox and her Brothers paved the way for more raw sounds like Hank Sr., as well as how older artists like the Sons Of The Pioneers, the Delmores and Monroes (now ex-) were still going strong in their own way. Favorite tracks on this volume include "So Round, So Firm, So Fully Packed", the original cut of "Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain", the wild take on "Milk Cow Blues" and the hot guitar and harmonica prefiguring rock n' roll on "Freight Train Boogie".
It ends at the year 1975.This series was my idea in the letter i sent to Richard Weize in late 80s.I hope that we can get more releases i suggested in the letter on CD. I hate streaming music,we want the Webb Pierce CD box.
I know Time Life has done a few series that extend past 1970 and 1972, but they seem more scattershot and thematic with none of the precision and care of their Country USA and Bear's Dim Lights...
Yeah, unless I've missed something, the Dim Lights series ends with 1970. Which makes me sad, because 1971-75 were probably the years I listened to more country radio than any others, and I'd have loved to see the series cover them.
This is a great series. To me it was interesting to hear Hank Williams senior with his contemporaries and realize why he is so revered. If I heard a song that I liked or an artist who stood out, I'd explore that artist more. Lefty Frizzell, Tennessee Ernie Ford, and especially Merle Haggard. I also got the Blowing the Fuse and Sweet Soul Music and they are good sets as well
Senior? I guess you mean the father of Randy Williams and grandfather of Shelton Williams, known as Hank Williams.
Well, if you want to get technical Ol’ Hank is really Hiram Williams. There’s no great country singer who has “Hank Williams” on his birth certificate.
A couple interesting items on the horizon... The most comprehensive Tony Sheridan comp yet, and pretty much the first one that doesn't rely on his association with a certain Liverpool combo: Tony Sheridan CD: Skinny Minny - The Brits Are Rocking Vol.6 (CD) - Bear Family Records Complete works of 50's R&B unknown Stomp Gordon, annoyingly on expensive 10"+CD combo: Various LP (10 inch): Damp Rag - The Killa Dilla From Columbus, Ohio (LP & CD, 10inch, 45rpm) - Bear Family Records
Of course, most Hank fans know that. But 'Hiram' was pronounced "Harm" by all the local people, and he started using the name Hank long before he could even grow any facial hair. It wasn't taking another's name for commercial purposes.
Well, in all three cases it's a nickname (regardless of the whys) was my point. In the case of Randall and Shelton it's also each of their own middle name, and I've known people who choose to go by their middle name. Sure, there was a commercial component to Jr. and III's decision to use the name. But if they didn't have some talent the name wouldn't have gotten them anywhere. Although I have to say the appeal of Hank Jr. has always eluded me... he strikes me as the forefather of today's idiotic bro-country. I love Hank III though... he made some really great records before he disappeared from the public eye.
Something I appreciate about the Dim Lights series is the inclusion of original versions of big hits and standards ("Have I Told You Lately", "Lost Highway", "Wedding Bells", "Half As Much", "Just Out Of Reach", "Mockin' Bird Hill"). As rightly famous as the hit versions are, the original artists bring a great spark and vitality to the material (this is especially evident to me on Leon Payne's versions of his songs).
That's a shame, because he has made some many great recordings that you're probably overlooking. Pick the eyes out of his late 60's and 70's catalogue, and there are heaps of great tunes in there that is a world far from 'bro-country' and far from being a 'Hank Williams' copycat. For a great early 'Cowboy' record, I think this one from 1965 is terribly underrated. 'Ballads Of The Hill And Plains'
