Hawkshaw Hawkins "I wanna be hugged to death by You" -1954

Whoever wrote this song, well lets say he might have been a funny guy. Into some questionable stuff for 1954.

Take the first two opening lines:

"Now some folks use a motorcar to end it all you see. While some folks jump off buildings, to reach eternity"

This came on in a record store a few years back and i couldn't believe my ears. I bought it as soon as they took it off the store turntable.

Quite a few of the songs on this LP are a bit out there considering his contemporaries and the times.

This guy stood 6 foot 5 and was really into his rhinestone suits.

Oddly enough like one of my earlier posts about Johnny Horton and celebrity freak accidents....

....On March 5th 1963, Hawkins died in a plane crash with Patsy Cline, and The Cowboy Copas.

He goes down in history as one of the greats in country music, who I feel too few know about.

LISTEN HERE

George Jones & Tammy Wynette "Just Someone I Used to Know" - 1971

What a gem. I would say this is possibly one of the best, if not the best moments in country music. One of those duets that is larger than life. The song is actually an altered version of an earlier George song,

"The Girl I Used to Know"

This version however is one of those songs when I first heard it, I replayed it quite a few times.

George and Tammy worked with their Labels to finally get Legal permission to record an album together. It was recorded in two days. Along with the help of Elvis' backup band The Jordanaires. Seems everything they touch turns to gold.

This was at the peak of The Joneses' celebrity hype, being Nashville's power couple. It's evident here there was some serious passion and depth in their relationship. Be it only lasting a few years with a nasty divorce to follow.

The Possum definitely got a lucky catch here.

All that aside. It really is one song that defines the sound for me, and has Epic qualities upon every listen. Here it is "Just Someone I used to Know" 1971.

LISTEN HERE

Johnnie & Jack "I want to be Loved" - 1956

What a duo! Johnnie and Jack!

These guys really mixed it up. Combining Country, with Doo-Wop, Cajun, and South American Rhythms. They recorded "I want to be loved" in 1956. Guest vocals by Ruby Wells.(Johnnie's daughter)

These guys went on to have a very long successful career. Johnnie Wright by the way was married to Kitty Wells and did some fantastic duets with her.

One of my favorite acts in Country Music, with a huge catalogue of goofy romantic tunes.

LISTEN HERE

Ernest Tubb & Loretta Lynn "We're Not Kids Anymore" 1965

This is a tune off the first Ernest Tubb and Loretta Lynn duets record together. Recorded in 1965.

The backing band is absolutely righteous on this one. And of course good ol' Buddy is playing steel. I think the best part of this heartbreaker tune is Loretta doing a little Ernest shtick..."Aww Buddy" right before the steel solo...rightly so..she actually wrote this one...

here it is "Were Not Kids Anymore".

LISTEN HERE

"Pack My Grip" - Alex Broussard

This tune here was recorded by a guy who recorded mostly blues artist but had a stint with the white country boys. The recording quality is really something. This tune was written by a guy name Alex Broussard who at this point mostly did Cajun stuff. This is a bit of crossover into Hank territory. Good ol' Pee Wee Whitewing who became a legendary steel player and it's a nice highlight here in this recording. Pee Wee was one of the members of The Original Brazos Valley Boys. Take a listen, to some incredible smooth and almost high and lonesome vocal delivery by Alex Broussad. LISTEN HERE

George Jones & Margie Singleton- "Waltz of the Angels" 1962

Well, if you haven't heard it before youre gonna hear it now. George Jones is the "King of Broken Hearts". I didn't make that up, it's a fact. Just listen and you'll see.

This record here was the first George Jones record I owned and really hit me upside the head.

Some righteous stuff here folks.

This tune in particular really pulls on the old heart strings. The Possum is really gettin warmed up at this point in his career. It's arguably the best duets he did in his career. I mean its years before his work with Tammy Wynette ...but you cant deny this. See for yourself...

LISTEN HERE

Fats Waller- I'm Growing Fonder of You

It's true, I am growing fonder of this song everytime I hear it.

This is some stuff that is perfect for so many activities in life..."if you get what I mean!"

This particular Record in the link attached is actually my Grandpa George's. Where I got my middle name..and a whole lot of other things. He would guest Dj on local radio stations now and then. This is one of the many I was blessed to inherit.

A song that get's me everytime, and a sound that was created in New York City that always makes me feel real happy to be here. I used to listen to this one the first year I moved here and I lived in a drafty building built in 1936...this recording was in 1934. anyway...ths stuff is what New York was built upon...Please enjoy the music while your time warp is reached.....

LISTEN HERE!

Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys

The one and only King of Western Swing!

Bob Wills!

Love this tune, it's a little different from most other one's you hear by him. Considering it has a female vocal by Laura Lee McBride and then a Saxophone solo. Bit unusual but it's a real treat!

Bob had quite the career, and apparently this recording was one of the many recorded during the phenomenal two week around the clock recording session with the Playboys. They had to squeeze em in before the WWII "recording ban" in the early 40's. And he somehow managed to appear in 10 Western movies between 1940 and 1942.

Enough said The Texas Playboys really kill it here too. Enjoy!

LISTEN HERE!

Kitty Wells: Your Wild Life's Gonna Get you down 1959

Here she is, "The Queen of Country Music" !

Miss Kitty Wells.

She has such a rich catalogue of recorded material. She's still alive at age 92! She married country legend Johnnie Wright in 1937. They recently celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary in 2007. They were married until his death this year (2011) She has also survived her daughter Ruby. What a life Kitty has lived and what a woman she is.

And her voice is really something else. Take a listen for yourself here, this recording is from the original DECCA LP I cherish from 1959.

LISTEN HERE!

Everytime I'm Kissing You- Johnny Horton 1956

Now this one is a real gem. The one of the man's first singles recorded in 1956. This recording here is not meant to be as nice as the title sounds. I'd say if you wanted to get the message across to your soon to be Ex this would be great. "Honey, go play A11 on the jukebox. I wanna dedicate this one to you sweet heart...go on, put a quarter in the jukebox." Oh look, what a thoughtful title this is...well...this could work if it were still 1956. Dang me! it ain't! But we can at least sit back and try to imagine.

***extra bit***

Here's another one of them Country singers that died in a freak accident. He had "premonitions" of his death saying he would be killed by a drunk. He even practiced avoiding head on collisions by driving into ditches. Well sure enough, his vehicle was hit by a truck on a bridge, being driven by a young guy who was in fact....intoxicated.

LISTEN & WATCH HERE!

Foolin' Around - Rosalie Allen : 1946

What a lovely little tune here folks! By a lovely little lady Rosalie Allen!

Here she is on one of her duets with

Elton Britt.

Some real fun romantic stuff here.

Just add a good pal and water.

LISTEN AND WATCH HERE!