Howdy folks. If you are there, you’re in for a musical journey in Hillblly bop music. Here we go for more obscure or lesser known names, who one cannot now anything about, except what it’s in the grooves, or what I gathered – and most of the time the harvest is a meager one. Talking about harvests, let’s not forget the « contact me » section: here are for sale excellent CDs or vinyl records (very nice condition) for sale from my collection. Don’t overpass this occasion!
Chuck Bowers did hail from Arkansas, where he was born in 1921. He was a regular of the St. Louis, MO. Ozark Jubilee and had a spot on KWTO. His acclaimed shuffler « Pig Pen Boogie » on the Kansas City Choice label (# 845) is one of the serie he did for radio or TV appearances. Actually you can find 3 songs by him that contain « boogie » in the title on Youtube! Later Bowers was on Decca for two Nashville produced pop rockers, the better being « Blabber Mouth Sidewalk Stroll » (# 30578) from 1957. I don’t know anything on Bowers afterwards.
Way up North and Michigan, on the Bart label. One Billy Martin has the really fine Hillbilly bop ballad « Tears I Couldn’t Hide » on the Bart label (# 7G28). Prominent steel over a very sincere vocal. The same Billy Martin had also « Angel »/ « If It’s Lovin’ That You Want » (Lucky 0009, 1960) and « I’m Home Again » (Fortune 198). . There were also issues on Happy Hearts, D, Cannon and Misty in the 70’s.
The very small – Kentucky based, as said in an old Hillbilly Reserarcher issue – Dixiana label was launched in 1953, and do seem to have only lasted six months or so. From his 7 issues I chose The Renfro Brothers‘ « Just Over A Girl« , a fast romper led by a boogie pianist and showcased by an accordion (# 103). On the same label was issued Odis Blanton & his Blue Star Rangers, who I will post later the great « Steppin’ High Wide And Handsome« . On Dixiana 105, there is still a Cliff Gross to be found yet (both titles sound interesting).
Walter Scott‘s great « I’m Walking Out » (see Ruby # 240, else where in this site) was cut in 1968 by a L. C. Angel with Coye Farmer on the microscopic Baron label (no # number) out of Trenton, OH. The record gives full personal (steel-guitar-bass); so which instrument was played by Farmer or Angel? Incidentally the very same record was reissued twelve years later on the A & A label (still no #) out of Hamilton, OH. A fine version nevertheless, but the artist is completely out of sight!
Ben Hall has the fine « Moo Mama » Rockabilly on the Cord label (# 101). Very rare one; even rarer is the unissued at the time « Be Bop Ball« , saved from oblivion by the Dutchman!
Finally from a February 1932 session do come the very sexual « Red Nightgown Blues« , cut by Jimmie Davis for RCA-Victor (with sublime slide guitar by Oscar Woods) and issued in the Bluebird serie (# 5699). A tune that suits exactly to Jerry Lee Lewis‘ way of life, and one may wonder how he has not recorded this song (remember « Long Legged Woman » cut for Sun?)
Flash (January 23rd, 2012). I received a mail from JIMMY RENFRO. His Dad Jim had not heard their songs within a very long time, so he was stunned and happy. His uncle Raymond did the same. Thanks Jimmy! I include in the posts the flipside of their Dixiana 103, « Ever Ready« . Alas, I don’t know any other record by them.
Billy Martin and His Drifting Wranglers - Tears I Couldnt Hide (Bart 28) [ 2:26 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download L. C. Angel with Coye Farmer and the Blue Mountain Boys - Walking Out (Baron) [ 2:01 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download Ben Hall and the Country Drifters - Moo Mama (Cord 101) [ 1:54 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download Ben Hall and the Country Drifters - Be Bop Ball (Cord unissued - Collector CD) [ 2:11 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
arkansas 45s
Thanks for the wonderful music–your site is a must visit!
Perhaps you might do a Starday special?
regards
Hello!
There are already several posts about the Starday custom serie (500 to 650). Planned also some features on particular Starday artists, and much, much later on the main Starday label itself.
Just wanted to say thanks for highlighting « The Renfro Brothers ». My Dad is Jim Renfro, and he wrote and sang « Just Over a Girl ». Our family doesn’t have the records anymore, and hadn’t hear it for 30some years. Dad is almost 85 yrs old now, and in the hospital . We found the songs on YouTube and played them for him! It was « PRICELESS » to see his reaction when he heard the songs again. We all cried happy tears and he said he could » die happy »! What else can I say……so grateful to give him that joy. After I played it for dad, I took it to my uncle Raymond, dad wrote his song was on the flip side, « Ever Ready », like dad, he hadn’t heard the songs in years and he had the same reaction! It was an emotional but happy day. We would love to find more of their music, and original records. If you have any info about where I might find them please let me know.
Thanks again! Jimmy Renfro jbrj3@insightbb.com
L.c.angel played music long time sfter walking out was a favorite on some of the finest stages in Tennessee. .he was awesome..he now at rest in oneida tn.in 1970 the governor in ohio awarded him with a country music award. .thank you for your post on such a massive talent..
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