John D. Loudermilk - Blue Train '1990

Tracks list

Blue Train is one of three Bear Family discs that collect the recordings of
famed Nashville songwriter John D. Loudermilk. Some of the tracks here were
actually minor hits (Loudermilk rarely did anything to promote his recordings as
an artist), but Loudermilks writing and unique interpretations are of primary
interest. The songwriters vocals are pleasant, if not spectacular, and the
production is nicely sparse and folky, often featuring Loudermilks own excellent
classical guitar playing. His quirky compositions have always straddled the line
between pop and folk, and the tunes here are no exception. Although much of this
music will sound lightweight to modern ears, it is certainly the product of an
intensely creative mind, unafraid to tackle any topic, no matter how bizarre or
seemingly inconsequential. Highlights include All of This for Sally, a song
about a millionaire who willed his fortune to a cocker spaniel, and The Bully of
the Beach, which was inspired by those ubiquitous Charles Atlas muscle building
ads. Although many of the tunes are lighthearted, Loudermilk could occasionally
get serious, as evidenced by Darling Jane, where he details a mans loss of his
new wife to hurricane floodwaters. Although not really for the casual country or
oldies fan, Blue Train should appeal to any fan of brilliant songwriting or
slightly left of center vintage pop and country music. ~Review by Pemberton
Roach



Tracks:

01. Blue Train (Of The Heartbreak Line) (1961) (2:23)
02. Mister Jones (1961) (1:57)
03. Language Of Love (1961) (1:48)
04. Jimmies Song (1961) (2:13)
05. Angela Jones (1962) (2:37)
06. The Bully Of The Beach (1962) (2:24)
07. Rhythm And Blues (1962) (2:13)
08. What Would You Take For Me (1961) (1:59)
09. The Great Snowman (1961) (2:33)
10. Everybody Knows (1962) (2:38)
11. Google Eye (1962) (3:00)
12. Darling Jane (1961) (3:23)
13. Song Of The Lonely Teen (1961) (2:24)
14. All Of This For Sally (1962) (2:55)
15. Road Hog (1962) (2:19)
16. Hes Just A Scientist (1962) (2:06)
17. The Rocks Of Reno (1962) (2:06)
18. Big Daddy (1962) (2:16)
19. Callin Dr. Casey (1962) (2:37)
20. You Just Reap What You Sow (1961) (1:56)
21. The Little Wind-Up Doll (1989) (2:36)
22. Two Strangers In Love (1961) (2:40)
23. Th Wife (1963) (2:48)
24. Bad News (1963) (3:02)
25. Run On Home Baby Brother (1966) (2:39)
26. Oh How Sad (1962) (2:20)

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