Garage Sale Record -- George Jones -- I Am What I Am

     George Jones, The Possum, No Show Jones.  These names embody the single largest figure in the history of Country Music.  He lived longer than Hank Williams, drank more whiskey than Keith Richards and sang about all of it in some of the most haunting music that has ever come out of a speaker.

     In 1980, George had been in the game for a long time;  25 years since he had hit with "Why Baby Why" and not far away from a stint in rehab that would not really work out.  What he did do successfully, was to record and release some incredible hard country music.  This music is released as the album I Am What I Am.

      The album kicks off with what critics, scholars and a whole lot of hillbillies consider to be the greatest country song of all time, "He Stopped Loving Her Today". Because of that one song, ownership of this album is mandatory for even the most casual country music fan.  What makes this album a true classic, however, is the inclusion of several other gut bucket country tunes that could define the career of a lesser performer.

     Right after George and producer Billy Sherrill hit you upside the head with that anthem of lost love, filled with wailing steel guitar, vocal choruses and a tear jerking recitation, they take a sharp turn from lost love to heavy drinking.  A second well chosen song, "I've Aged Twenty Years In Five" provides perhaps a too close look at the pitfalls of alcoholism while the tears continue with "Brother To The Blues" and "If Drinkin' Don't Kill Me (Her Memory Will)".

                                                                           

     The production work of Billy Sherrill stays true to the basic formula which he had honed since the early 70s.  Many people have called it "countrypolitan" or have compared it to Phil Spector's "Wall of Sound" but for George Jones, this works perfect as he stirs up emotion usually reserved for Roy Orbison.

     Side two has some great songs also but has a gigantic clunker..."Good Hearted Woman".  Why this Outlaw classic was selected for this record will forever be a mystery to me.  The tight, layered production falls flat and the song goes nowhere fast.  At least Billy Sherril had the good sense to put this on side two.

     Soon after this record was recorded, Urban Cowboy would sweep the nation and the face of Country would change, but records like this provided a last glimpse into the world of hard country until the likes of Randy Travis and other Neo-Traditionalists would bring the honky tonk back to the airwaves in the mid 1980s.

     The Cat Daddy says...scoop this gem up at any yard sale or flea market you might be at.  It's a winner.

Flea Market Record -- The Ventures -- Surfin'

     I always thought of the Ventures as a surf band.  I was incorrect, they existed long before "surf" music swept the country and they lasted long after that fad was washed out to sea.  The Ventures exist in the world of instrumental rock music.  Their main forte always seemed to be recording instrumental versions of current hits and packaging them into quasi-concept albums that revolved around a loose concept.  They sold millions of albums using this formula and you come across their records at almost every garage sale and flea market you ever go to.
     Although the Ventures had been around since the late 50's by the time 1963 rolled around, their particular sound fit right into the surf genre and the album Surfin' was a natural for them to release.  Opening with a cover of the Chantays "Pipeline" the album highlights the guitar playing of Nokie Edwards and he proves that he can stand toe to toe with any other picker in the surf genre at the time.

                                                                          


While this record is not as wildly chaotic as say a Dick Dale record, there is a tuneful sophistication that keeps you coming back for more. "Windy and Warm" is a truly slinky standout showing how tight this band was at this point in their career. After about the third song however, you really quit caring about details like song titles and drift off to a place where really nice people bring you drinks in coconut shells...  The record is short and sweet with no dead weight bringing the party down. Drums, bass and some sweet, sweet guitar tones.  It is what it is, a potent slice of Americana from a time when cars were "Boss" and girls wore pointy bras.  It inspired millions of kids to play guitar and for that reason alone the cat daddy suggests bringing this slab of wax to any swinging beach party.