Back In the Day 1957, 2010

Tennessee Ernie Ford

Ol' Rockin' Ern (Capitol)

Old Time Religion (Green Hill)

Ernie's rustic-life matriculation left him seasoned in manners that ensured he was first-hand familiar with both fence post and altar call. His back-country boogie kicked heels to the swiss-cheese moon and back down to grassland. But the man's honorings of the Divine promise of salvation were horses of different colors altogether.

The bass-baritone immensity of his voice -- rip-snorting and aw-shucks gleeful in secular circumstances -- assumed reverential tones indicative of heart-and-soul sincerity in the presence of celestial majesty. 

Both records compiled tracks Ernie had previously waxed. Cliffie Stone, Speedy West, and Jimmy Bryant played on Ol' Rockin' Ern's songs - the three dealt wizardry in Cliffie's Hometown Jamboree band. (And the pipe-puffing bass-string guru authored four songs featured.) Their respective flairs stand out like shoes on a cobra.

Some of Old Time Religion's 15 selections also included Cliffie and Speedy (though their talents were recalled as a bit muted). And harmonic nobility the Jordanaires imbued tracks with characteristically august intonations. As was illustrated by sacred numbers restored from 1956 forward, Ernie's standing-in-need-of- prayer renditions prompted introspection and awareness that the loving Supreme Creator's hand beckoned. 

Recommended Ol' Rockin' Ern: "Milk 'Em in the Mornin' Blues," "Catfish Boogie," "Anticipation Blues," "Country Junction," "Shot-Gun Boogie," "Blackberry Boogie," "Ain't Nobody's Business But My Own"

Recommended: Old Time Religion: "Just Over in the Gloryland," "Old Time Religion," "It Is Well With My Soul," "Just a Little Talk With Jesus," "I Love to Tell the Story," "Take My Hand, Precious Lord," "The Old Rugged Cross," "Whispering Hope," "I Need Thee Every Hour"

Videos: "Country Junction"   "Blackberry Boogie"   "Ain't Nobody's Business but My Own" (w/Kay Starr)   "Just Over in the Gloryland"   "I Love to Tell the Story"   "Whispering Hope"

Ol' Rockin' Ern:

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Old Time Religion:

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With Randolph Scott on the set of 1951 film Man In the Saddle