More of these Hillbilly bop duets, even a foray into Rock’n’Roll (country overtones)
It’s useless to present the DELMORE Brohers (Rabon & Alton). They began their career in 1931 ! When they stopped at King studio in Cincinnati in 1946, they cut many, many Hillblly boogies, either as vocal duet, or with spare instrumentation (Wayne Raney and Lonnie Glosson on harmonica). It’s been a real task to choose « Down home boogie » (King 784AA) : the Brothers sing in harmony for this romper cut in November 1947 in Cincinnati. Lead electric guitar player could be Roy Lanham or Zeke Turner.
“Down home boogie”
A dozen years later or so, a man led a typical Hillbilly combo : JERRY DOVE (instrument unknown). He had already put a minor rockabilly classic in 1956, « Pink bow tie » on T.N.T. Label (# 144), but he was more a producer and musician than a singer. Here he gathers the duet (male/female) of Ray Stone and Dove’s wife, Peggy. First side is bluesy, and very atmospheric : « Losin’ the blues » (# 173), paired with an uptempo « Why don’t you love me » from 1959.
“Losin’ the blues“
“Why don’t you love me”
Let’s get back to December 1947 with the Arkansas born real ARMSTRONG TWINS. They recorded for 4* a serie of boogies showing the prowesses of Lloyd on mandolin, Floyd backing on guitar, especially on « Mandolin boogie » (4* 1231), a fast and furious piece of Bluegrass.
“Mandolin boogie”
On the Cincinnati, OH based label Jalyn (# 208) JOHN & FRANCIS REEDY have « Quit kicking my dog around » : fine uptempo tune, amusing lyrics. This record goes back to ’64.
“Quit kicking my dog around”
More of the same with RUFUS SHOFFNER & JOYCE SONGER, clearly billed « Vocal duet » although both join on chorus only, with the powerful « It always happens to me » on the Detroit’s Hi-Q label (# 17) from 1962. Awesome and driving guitar playing by Earl Songer’s ex-wife. Both seem unlucky in the song.
Next is « Truck driver’s boogie » by the MILO TWINS (Edwin and Edward), originally from Arkansas. Their style is pretty close to that of the DELMORE, the CALLAHAN, the SHELTON or the YORK Brothers. Released December 947 on Capitol 40138: fine harmony vocals over a good harmonica playing.
“It always happens to me”
Milo Twins” “Truck driver’s boogie”
Finally GENE PARSON’S BAND, who’s backing Kimble and Wanda Janes on vocals in a classic, « Night club Rock’n’roll » from March 1959 on Southfield label (# 4501) from lllinois. Parson was the owner of this small label. He already had cut for Chicago’s Eko label. I’m pretty sure this Gene Parson has nothing to do with the member of Byrds or Flying Burrito Brothers bands of the ’60s. The Southland issue falls into a collector’s hands for $ 400-500.
“Nightclub rock’roll”
Sources: various compilations and reissues for the most part, the odd record from my collection.
arkansas 45s
We just found your post of John and Frances Reedy’s recording of “Kicking My Dog Around.” This is a really important find for us because we maintain an ongoing documentary blog about their musical legacy, and this is one of the few (of their many) recordings that we do not have a copy of! Timi is their granddaughter, and we donated all of their music to the Berea College Sound Archives when she inherited it. Thanks for enabling us to hear it! One minor correction to this post is that the record is Jalyn 210 (not 208): http://www.ibiblio.org/hillwilliam/BGdiscography/?v=fullrecord&albumid=24426. Check out our documentary blog, which includes additional recordings, videos, photos, and more!
*Tammy Clemons & Timi Reedy
Here is the link to the Reedy documentary blog: http://rememebereedy.blogspot.com
Hello again! We wanted to let you know that we recently posted two links to your site along with two new Reedy media uploads (http://remembereedy.blogspot.com/2016/01/holiday-memories-new-year-updates.html and http://remembereedy.blogspot.com/2016/01/quit-kickin-my-dog-around-reedy-remix.html). The second one includes a video excerpt of Frances and John’s last recorded performance on Christmas in 1980 along with new information about the history of the song, which was apparently written in 1912 as a political campaign song, and John Reedy wrote his own verse lyrics, which he and Frances recorded commercially several times.
Hi, thanks for the links and info!