Great October Music Haul

Nick and I are wondering if this blog is still read by anyone but us.  Well, at least we enjoy trading our musical thoughts.  What better audience for a father than his son?  What better audience for a son than a father?  Ah, family ties.

Now to the Great October Music Haul:
Once or twice a year, there is a large "garage sale" at the Texarkana Spring Lake Park.  Today was the day for the fall sale, but sermon and church work kept me tied up until late in the afternoon.  The benefit was that when I got there, vendors were cutting prices to half. 

Rushing past lots of clothes and trinkets, I thumbed through several stacks of books and glanced at quite a few DVDs, but found nothing.  Then I came across a good selection of music.  The original prices were one dollar each, a bargain, but now they were reduced to four bits, to use the term my father's generation was fond of.

Here is what I found:


1.  Elton Britt: The RCA Years.  We don't often think of Elton Britt's RCA years for the simple reason that we don't think of Elton Britt at all.  He was a yodeler whose best known song was "There's a Star Spangled Banner Waving Somewhere."  An added personal benefit:  He was an Arkansas man.  In the tradition of Jimmie Rogers, Britt's pure country music should be a delight.

As Bill Monroe might say, "I think I've heard of him."




2.  James Taylor: Greatest Hits.  I now have a James Taylor CD.  I am only somewhat familiar with him (being that my expertise lies elsewhere), but I recognize several of the songs on the back cover, such as "Something in the Way She Moves," "Carolina in My Mind," and "How Sweet It Is To Be In Love With You."

3.  Michael Martin Murphey with the San Antonio Symphony Orchestra: Sagebrush Symphony.  First, I am only slightly familiar with Mr. Murphey, but I think my wife, Stephanie, used to like his music. Second, these are western songs, made famous by the Sons of the Pioneers, Gene Autrey, and other Western singers.

With names like David Milton and Homer Howard Bellamy, I could grow to like this fellers.

4.  The Bellamy Brothers: Greatest Hits, Volume II.  Shhh.  I got this CD for Stephanie.  She said she used to like them too.  I am only familiar with the name.  (I would prefer a CD by the Wilburn Brothers, the Louvin Brothers, the Stanley Brothers, or the Willis Brothers.)


5.  Kathy Mattea: Love Travels.  I know her from the radio.  Many of these songs are sung along with other singers, such as Gillian Welch.


6.  Neil Diamond: His 12 Greatest Hits.  I bought this one because it has the song "Sweet Caroline" on it.  I want to learn that one for my youngest daughter.  (TaraJane gets "Waltz Across Texas," which Neil Diamond did not record.)  This also has "Song Sung Blue" on it.


7.  Larry Gatlin: In My Life.  Of course I am familiar with Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers.  But this is the first CD I have ever owned by either Larry or his brothers.


8.  Gene Watson: The Good Ole Days.  I have often wondered why Gene Watson was not a bigger name in the music world.  He is a really fine singer.



http://www.gene-watson.com/good_ole_days.htm

9.  Ferlin Husky: Signature Series.  What a find.  Mr. Husky (December 3, 1925 – March 17, 2011) is one of the country legends that we have lost this year.  His voice was outstanding.  He comic alter-ego, Simon Crum, was quite hilarious.  Best known for  songs like "Wings of a Dove" and "Gone," this recently inducted member of the Country Music Hall of Fame was truly a great singer.

Lists for $29.99 on Amazon!

Oh, by the way, I also picked up a copy of Robert Penn Warren's classic novel and greatest work, All the King's Men.  It may be the best political novel ever.  This edition has an introductory essay by Mr. Warren and has Clift's Notes in the back (?).  Nick, do you remember us standing in front of the Warren statue at Vanderbilt some years ago?  Hardback with dust jacket--25 cents.

And, I got a copy of Umberto Eco's novel Baudolino.   George Grant so like Eco that I buy his books with the intention of someday reading some of them.  Hardback, like new, with dust jacket--50 cents.

Total spent for the day:  $5.25.  Nick, what are you finding up at Wheaton to top this?