Skeets McDonald
Rock It, But Don't Wreck It: Singles As and Bs 1956 - 1962
(Jasmine)
It's to be expected that a 'best of' collection of works forged by a man whose career loped through decades would number many tracks. And that such would attest to his prowess.
Those who termed Skeets a "bridge between Country and Rock'n'Roll" were solidly in the money. While the rustic gut-box great generally ambled down Honky Tonk backroads, his open face and unpretentious bearing marking him as just plain home-folks, he sporadically busted out with het-up foot-stampers easily the equals of feral tunes being thrown out by incoming cats.
Some tracks were put to tape at Owen Bradley's historic 'Quonset Hut.' Among those accompanying Skeets in imbuing common-man life-spark into songs of unpolished excellence were Buddy Harmon, the Jordanaires, Grady Martin, and Floyd Cramer. (Two Rockabilly ravers - "Heartbreakin' Mama" and "You Oughtta See Grandma Rock" were lent the distinction of Eddie Cochran's fret-rushings.)
When Skeets sang of heart-soreness enflamed by bouffanted, good-time angels, it was with a drawled profundity that communicated he'd worn those brogans, and had weathered the torture mascaraed jezebels wreak.
(It may be so, that answers to life's abuses aren't found at the bottom of a bottle. But a legion of songs so real they damn near tear you all to hell reside exactly there.)
Bill Anderson later sang that "Honky tonks were made for men with women on their minds." It's certain that jukes in those much-prized dives were stocked with Skeets.
Recommended: "Gotta Get You From That Crowd," "Everglades," "Cheek to Cheek with the Blues," "You're Not Wicked, You're Just Weak," "You Warned Me," "What a Lonesome Life It's Been," "Baby Wait," "What I Know About Her," "Welcome Home," "Keep Her Off Your Mind," "Don't Push Me Too Far," "You Gotta Be My Baby," Heartbreakin' Mama," "You Oughtta See Grandma Rock"
Videos: "Gotta Get You From That Crowd" "Cheek to Cheek with the Blues" "Baby Wait" "Keep Her Off Your Mind" "Heartbreakin' Mama" "You Oughtta See Grandma Rock"
Facebook (fan site)
No comments:
Post a Comment