For this last 2014 fortnight, I'm lacking time and imagination so I've chosen several particular records. We begin listening to BILL HICKS and the Southerners on Fortune 188 (from 1956) for two well driven rockabillies/boppers « She's done gone » (slow) and « Blue flame » (fast).
A real rarity now on the Family Library 1021 label : it's GENE LAVERNE and what I think is an original « Hot rod mama » on a 6-track 78rpm record.
The following artist has a long recording story behind him : he can be found as early as 1951 on Blue Bonnet, as part of the Texas Round-Up Gang. Later, DEWEY GROOM went to Mercury, then founded early '60s his own Longhorn label, where he cut among other tunes « Butane blues » (# 517). I didn't verify if this is the same track as Gene O'Quin's one.
Surprising Bluegrass music from Texas by PAUL HUFFMAN and « T-e-x-a-s » on the Abilene Winston (# 1034) label : nice banjo led.
Back to Louisville, Kentucky and the Pier-Wats label (# 1200), and the fast bopper (nice fiddle and steel) by F. EDDY PIERCE, « Your kisses don't thrill me anymore ».
Finally GENE DAVIS, who meddled almost at any style of music since his beginnings in 1954 on the West coast : hillbilly, rockabilly (as « Bo Davis » on Crest), rock'n'roll (on R-Dell), finally back to Country on various labels. I've chosen both sides of his solitary TOPPA '61 record (# 1110). « When he let's her forget »[sic] and « I won't care » are top notch California country-rockaballads (sublime Ralph Mooney on steel).
As usual, various sources : ebay, YouTube, my virtual collection. Have a Bopping Christmas !
Hello, folks! This is the latest batch of Hillbilly bops/rockabillies I'd like to help you discover. Only unknown names, and microscopic record labels!
The exception being a 1951 Mercury recording by PAUL & ROY, the Tennessee Valley Boys. They had 4 sessions for the label, and I chose the moving, bluegrass flavored (even a mandolin) "Spring Of Love" (# 6374). From Texas probably, because "Bluebonnet Pub" appears on the label, on BOB WHITFIELD. He does a nice medium paced Rockabilly, "What Can A Man Do" on Spotlight 5018. Fine strong lead guitar (echo), an haunting steel. A fine record which grows on you everytime you listen to it.
On the Karl label (# 3022), and from I don't know where, a cross between hillbilly bop and Rockabilly, with LACY KIRK doing the fast " This Is Saturday Night". Strong bass, a short fiddle solo. A good record.
From Louisville, KY. do come JIMMY SETTLE & the Blue Grass Rangers for the next song, "Admitting Defeat" on the Pier-Wats label # 1301. There is nothing pertaining to Bluegrass here, because the song is a nice Hillbilly bop dominated by steel.
On the Tycer label # 1304 we come now to JMMY BANKSTON and the "I Come From Louisiana". No concession Rockabilly, with unobstrusive drums and fine guitar.
Finally from around 1960, one of the earliest Nashville label releases (see the story in the site) with DAVE STEWART for "Thinking About You" (# 5006). The song has fiddle and bass, and reminds me somehow of early George Jones on Starday.