291. Waylon Jennings | Honky Tonk Heroes (1973)

---

Wikipedia Entry

---

Track

1. Honky Tonk Heroes
2. Old Five and Dimers (Like Me)
3. Willy the Wandering Gypsy and Me
4. Low Down Freedom
5. Omaha
6. You Asked Me To
7. Ride Me Down Easy
8. Ain't No God in Mexico
9. Black Rose
10. We Had It All

---

Honky Tonk Heroes is a crisp album. The music is country, in general, and outlaw country, specifically. Outlaw country seems to mean that it sounds like country music from twenty years ago. Certainly, the songs on this album sound more like songs done by Elvis Presley and Buddy Holly in the mid- to late-1950s than contemporary country songs. This music certainly isn't rock and roll but it's a clear reminder of where that style came from.

The songs are straightforward and the instruments sound clear. Waylon Jennings has a very powerful voice that's perfect for country. It always seems to be that the music play second fiddle to the lyrics in country music, and it's true on this album, too, but the music is still quite enjoyable in its own right.

The lyrics, of course, are central to the songs on this album. The songs are told in story form, mostly in the first person and about the seamier side of life. Like all country songs, there is a God-honest, down-to-earth wisdom conveyed through catchy similes.

I think this is a superb album. It sounds great, it's exciting, it's entertaining and Waylon Jennings has a pleasing voice. (Actually Waylon sounds a lot like Elvis and is more convincing.) And once again, I'm convinced that country music doesn't get the respect it's due. This album is certainly worth listening to and I think it is worthy of any serious collector's collection. I also think this album deserves to be on 1001 Albums list because it appears to be an influential album.

All the songs are excellent. The stand outs are Honky Tonk Heroes, Old Five and Dimers (Like Me), Low Down Freedom, Omaha, Ain't No God in Mexico, Black Rose and We Had It All.

★★★★★★★★★★

255. Nitty Gritty Dirt Band | Will the Circle be Unbroken (1972)

---

Wikipedia Entry

---

Tracks

1. Grand Ole Opry Song
2. Keep on the Sunny Side
3. Nashville Blues
4. You Are My Flower
5. The Precious Jewel
6. Dark as a Dungeon
7. Tennessee Stud
8. Black Mountain Rag
9. Wreck on the Highway
10. The End of the World
11. I Saw the Light
12. Sunny Side of the Mountain
13. Nine Pound Hammer
14. Losin' You (Might Be the Best Thing Yet)
15. Honky Tonkin'
16. You Don't Know My Mind
17. My Walkin' Shoes
18. Lonesome Fiddle Blues
19. Cannonball Rag
20. Avalanche
21. Flint Hill Special
22. Togary Mountain
23. Earl's Breakdown
24. Orange Blossom Special
25. Wabash Cannonball
26. Lost Highway
27. Doc Watson & Merle Travis First Meeting (Dialogue)
28. Way Downtown
29. Down Yonder
30. Pins and Needles (In My Heart)
31. Honky Tonk Blues
32. Sailin' on to Hawaii
33. I'm Thinking Tonight of My Blue Eyes
34. I am a Pilgrim
35. Wildwood Flower
36. Soldier's Joy
37. Will the Circle Be Unbroken
38. Both Sides Now

---

Will the Circle Be Unbroken is a fascinating album. The music is country. It's a more traditional form of country which is different from the "Nashville sound" and "Bakersfield sound" that starts to appear in the country music world in the 1960s. It's entirely possible that this music is not too far off from the hillbilly music that was played in Appalachia in the 19th Century and earlier, as suggested by the Civil War portrait on the cover.

It's not a coincidence that this album does a good job replicating hillbilly music. The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, who hail from California and have no direct connection with Appalachia, are accompanied on this recording by some of the legends of country and bluegrass music.

I love this album. I love the sound of banjos and fiddles. They always sound happy and upbeat. I love listening to the smart and witty songs and I've always been a sucker for religious songs. I certainly think this is an album worth listening to. I think serious music collectors should consider adding this album to their collection. This album does deserve to be on the 1001 Albums, since it's nearly an historical document of a dead or dying form of traditional music.

All the songs are outstanding and for three albums worth of music that's no easy feat. What's even better is listening to the musicians talk in between songs.

★★★★★★★★★★

232. Janis Joplin and the Full Tilt Boogie Band | Pearl (1971)

---

Wikipedia Entry

---

Tracks

1. Move Over
2. Cry Baby
3. A Woman Left Lonely
4. Half Moon
5. Buried Alive in the Blues
6. My Baby
7. Me and Bobby McGee
8. Mercedes Benz
9. Trust Me
10. Get It While You Can

---

Pearl is an overproduced album or at least it seems that way. The music is blues rock. There's no doubt that Janis Joplin is one of the greatest blues singers. She demonstrates that clearly on this album. The Full Tilt Boogie Band sounds like a group of competent players.

But this album sounds too clinical and dispassionate. Everyone is playing and singing what they are supposed to sing and no one dares go off script. Blues rock is spontaneous and filled with emotion because that is what the blues is about. 

I like this album. I can't dislike Janis Joplin and I think this album is worth listening to. Despite its problems, there is hardly any alternative and it really is a good album. I don't really think it belongs on the 1001 Albums list. There are enough blues rock albums. The only good reason would be because there are hardly any great female blues rock singers and Janis was a peer among men.

All the songs are good. I think Move Over, Cry Baby, Half Moon, My Baby, Me and Bobby McGee and Mercedes Benz are the stand outs.

★★★★★★★★☆☆

201. James Taylor | Sweet Baby James (1970)

---

Wikipedia Entry

---

Tracks

1. Sweet Baby James
2. Lo and Behold
3. Sunny Skies
4. Steamroller
5. Country Road
6. Oh! Susanna
7. Fire and Rain
8. Blossom
9. Anywhere Like Heaven
10. Oh Baby, Don't You Loose Your Lip on Me
11. Suite for 20 G

---

Sweet Baby James is a soothing album. The music is folk, country and rock. James Taylor sings well and the music sounds good, but it all soothes in the sense that it dulls the senses.

Listening to this album is like sitting in warm water. It may be comfortable, but it doesn't get your blood flowing like sitting in really hot or cold water. So, while I can tolerate the music and not be offended, that's the problem. This music doesn't challenge or incite or provoke or inspire. Must music do that? Great music should.

I don't think this album is necessarily worth listening to, although it's probably a better example of the vapid, superficial and egocentric feel-good music that is becoming popular and that both Simon and Garfunkel and Cat Stevens have recently been doing. It should be that I don't think this album should be on the 1001 Albums list.

The songs sound fine. The ones I thought were better than others were: Steamroller, Country Road and Fire and Rain.

★★★★★★★☆☆☆

152. Elvis Presley | From Elvis in Memphis (1969)

---

Wikipedia Entry

---

Tracks

1. Wearin' That Loved On Look
2. Only the Strong Survive
3. I'll Hold You in My Heart (Till I Can Hold You in My Arms)
4. Long Black Limousine
5. It Keeps Right On A-Hurtin'
6. I'm Movin' On
7. Power of My Love
8. Gentle on My Mind
9. After Loving You
10. True Love Travels on a Gravel Road
11. Any Day Now
12. In the Ghetto

---

From Elvis in Memphis is an anachronistic album. Almost, that is. Much of the music has an early rock and roll/rockabilly sound. Or maybe it doesn't. Perhaps Elvis is the anachronism and will forever only exist in 1956. However, that doesn't explain Elvis is Back!.

Despite being a decade-and-a-half out of sync, this is a great-sounding album. I suppose that money was no object during most Elvis Presley recording sessions, so it should sound great. No matter, Elvis has never sounded better himself. His singing on this album and Elvis is Back! is very expressive and what was lacking on his debut album.

One blemish to this album is In the Ghetto. Apparently, it was the biggest hit on this album, but I just think it's so out of character for Elvis. He never included (overtly) social or political commentary in his music, as far as I know. He should have sung a gospel song instead.

I don't necessarily think this needs to be on the 1001 Albums list. I don't think Elvis was breaking new ground, instead he was digging up relics of the past. Of course, it could be argued that this album deserves to be on the list because this album resurrected his flagging career. Anyway, it's worth listening to.

The stand out songs on this album are: Wearin' That Loved on Look, Only the Strong Survive, I'm Movin' On, Power of Love, Gentle on My Mind, After Loving You, True Love Travels on a Gravel Road and Any Day Now.

★★★★★★★★☆☆

142. Johnny Cash | At San Quentin (1969)

---

Wikipedia Entry

---

Tracks

Original Release

1. Wanted Man
2. Wreck of the Old 97
3. I Walk the Line
4. Darling Companion
5. Starkville City Jail
6. San Quentin
7. San Quentin
8. A Boy Named Sue
9. (There'll Be) Peace in the Valley
10. Folsom Prison Blues

Re-release

1. Big River
2. I Still Miss Someone
3. Wreck of the Old 97
4. I Walk the Line
5. Darlin' Companion
6. I Don't Know Where I'm Bound
7. Starkville City Jail
8. San Quentin
9. San Quentin
10. Wanted Man
11. A Boy Named Sue
12. (There'll Be) Peace in the Valley
13. Folsom Prison Blues
14. Ring of Fire
15. He Turned the Water Into Wine
16. Daddy Sang Bass
17. The Old Account Was Settled Long Ago
18. Closing Medley: Folsom Prison Blues/I Walk the Line/Ring of Fire/The Rebel-Johnny Yuma

Leagcy edition

1. Blue Suede Shoes
(performed by Carl Perkins)
2. Flowers on the Wall
(performed by the Statler Brothers)
3. The Last Thing on My Mind
4. June Carter Cash Talks To The Audience
5. Wildwood Flower
(perfored by the Carter Family)
6. Big River
7. I Still Miss Someone
8. Wreck of the Old 97
9. I Walk the Line
10. Medley: The Long Black Veil/Give My Love To Rose
11. Folsom Prison Blues
12. Orange Blossom Special
(performed by Johnny Cash)
13. Jackson
14. Darlin' Companion
(performed by Johnny Cash, June Carter Cash and Carl Perkins)
15. Break My Mind
(performed by The Carter Family and Carl Perkins)
16. I Don't Know Where I'm Bound
17. Starkville City Jail
(performed by Johnny Cash and Carl Perkins)
18. San Quentin
19. San Quentin
20. Wanted Man
(performed by Johnny Cash)
21. Restless
(performed by Johnny Cash)
22. A Boy Named Sue
23. Blistered
(performed by Johnny Cash)
24. (There'll Be) Peace in the Valley
(peformed by Johnny Cash, The Carter Family and Carl Perkins)
25. The Outside Looking In
(performed by Carl Perkins)
26. Less Of Me
(peformed by The Statler Brothers and Carl Perkins)
27. Ring Of Fire
(performed by Johnny Cash, The Carter Family and Carl Perkins)
28. He Turned The Water Into Wine
29. Daddy Sang Bass
30. The Old Account Was Settled Long Ago
31. Closing Medley: Folsom Prison Blues/I Walk The Line/Ring Of Fire/Folsom Prison Blues/The Rebel - Johnny Yuma/Folsom Prison Blues
(performed by Johnny Cash, The Carter Family, The Statler Brothers and Carl Perkins)

---

Note: There are now three versions of At San Quentin: the original release, an extended re-release and the legacy version. The extended re-release nearly doubles the number of songs from the performance. Most of the songs left off are songs that were also performed on At Folsom Prison like Folsom Prison Blues, Orange Blossom Special and Jackson. Another song, Blistered, was also not included. The songs are also performed in the correct order that they were performed live. That is, the playlist is out of order to the actual performance. The legacy version is a complete, unedited, uncut version of the San Quentin performance that includes all songs Johnny Cash performed as well as songs performed by Carl Perkins, The Statler Brothers and The Carter Family. The original release was also censored for words like shit and son-of-a-bitch. The new releases are not censored. Out of the three, the legacy version is hands-down the best. Even if you are aren't into the other performers, the legacy release is still much better than the extended re-release.

At San Quentin is a messy album. This recording isn't as exciting, rowdy or upbeat as At Folsom Prison. It is somber, angry and downbeat. If anything, it's more personal. At Folsom Prison was a Johnny Cash performance; At San Quentin was Johnny Cash's life.

I think this album is good for its tone and Cash's performance. However, the album is censored in a not-so-subtle way, especially during A Boy Called Sue. It's also clear where the performance was edited. Also, the album could have been longer.

The first thing you notice when you listen to the legacy version of this album is that Johnny Cash is not completely on his game like he was on At Folsom Prison. His voice sounds like it did during the second Folsom Prison performance of the day. If you didn't know anything about Johnny Cash's personal life you'd just think he sounds like he is tired or that he's just having an off-day. Of course, it's probably combination of the toll his drug use had taken and Luther Perkins' death seven months prior to the performance.

Actually, several songs into the performance, Johnny Cash's voice improves and his energy picks up. The songs that didn't make the cut on the original release are mainly those first several songs. Unfortunately, many of those several songs were the most successful songs on At Folsom Prison like Folsom Prison Blues, Orange Blossom Special and Jackson. So, the question is: were the songs left off because of the lackluster performance or to avoid releasing another prison album with the same songs or both? I'd like to think the songs were performed for the inmates' enjoyment and were never going to be included in the release. But that doesn't take into consideration why At San Quentin is so much shorter than At Folsom Prison.

Lastly, it makes no sense why At San Quentin is censored and At Folsom Prison wasn't. I wasn't around when the two albums were released, but I've never heard anything about anyone being upset about the language used on At Folsom Prison. So, it would seem to be a non-issue.

All the songs are worth listening to and they are mostly classics, so it's not worth mentioning a list of stand-outs.

★★★★★★★★☆☆

115. Johnny Cash | At Folsom Prison (1968)

---

Wikipedia Entry

---

Tracks

Original release

1. Folsom Prison Blues
2. Dark as a Dungeon
3. I Still Miss Someone
4. Cocaine Blues
5. 25 Minutes to Go
6. Orange Blossom Special
7. The Long Black Veil
8. Send a Picture of Mother
9. The Wall
10. Dirty Old Egg-Suckin' Dog
11. Flushed From the Bathroom of Your Heart
12. Jackson
13. Give My Love to Rose
14. I Got Stripes
15. Green, Green Grass of Home
16. Greystone Chapel

Re-release

1. Folsom Prison Blues
2. Busted
3. Dark as a Dungeon
4. I Still Miss Someone
5. Cocaine Blues
6. 25 Minutes to Go
7. Orange Blossom Special
8. The Long Black Veil
9. Send a Picture of Mother
10. The Wall
11. Dirty Old Egg-Suckin' Dog
12. Flushed From the Bathroom of Your Heart
13. Joe Bean
14. Jackson
15. Give My Love to Rose
16. I Got Stripes
17. The Legend of John Henry's Hammer
18. Green, Green Grass of Home
19. Greystone Chapel

Legacy Edition

First Show

1. Opening announcements from Hugh Cherry
2. Blue Suede Shoes
(performed by Carl Perkins)
3. This Ole House
(performed by The Statler Brothers)
4. Announcements and Johnny Cash intro from Hugh Cherry
5. Folsom Prison Blues
6. Busted
7. Dark as a Dungeon
8. I Still Miss Someone
9. Cocaine Blues
10. 25 Minutes to Go
11. I'm Here to Get My Baby Out of Jail
12. Orange Blossom Special
13. The Long Black Veil
14. Send a Picture of Mother
15. The Wall
16. Dirty Old Egg-Suckin' Dog
17. Flushed From the Bathroom of Your Heart
18. Joe Bean
19. Jackson
20. I Got a Woman
21. The Legend of John Henry's Hammer
22. June's Poem
23. Green, Green Grass of Home
24. Greystone Chapel
25. Closing announcements
26. The Old Spinning Wheel

Second Show

1. Opening announcements from Hugh Cherry
2. Matchbox
(performed by Carl Perkins)
3. Blue Suede Shoes
(performed by Carl Perkins)
4. You Can't Have Your Kate and Edith, Too
(performed by The Statler Brothers)
5. Flowers on the Wall
(performed by The Statler Brothers)
6. How Great Thou Art
(performed by The Statler Brothers)
7. Announcements and Johnny Cash intro from Hugh Cherry
8. Folsom Prison Blues
9. Busted
10. Dark as a Dungeon
11. Cocaine Blues
12. 25 Minutes To Go
13. Orange Blossom Special
14. The Legend of John Henry's Hammer
15. Give My Love to Rose
16. Dirty Old Egg-Sucking Dog
17. Flushed From the Bathroom of Your Heart
18. Joe Bean
19. Jackson
20. Long-Legged Guitar Pickin' Man
21. I Got Stripes
22. Green, Green Grass Of Home
23. Greystone Chapel
24. Greystone Chapel
25. Hugh Cherry Introduces Johnny's father, Ray Cash, Associate Warden Walter E. Craven and Floyd Gressett, and closing announcements

---

Note: As the track listing indicates, there are three different versions of At Folsom Prison: the original release, an extended release and a so-called legacy version. The extended release adds three songs not included on the original release. The legacy version a complete uncut recording of the two shows Johnny Cash performed at Folsom Prison for the recording. The legacy version includes several songs not found on the original release, as well as opening songs performed by Carl Perkins and the Statler Brothers. It also includes a poem recited by June Carter.
The legacy version is important as a historical record and perfect for die-hard fans, but the original or extended releases are sufficient enough. I think the extended release is the best because of its inclusion of The Legend of John Henry's Hammer.

At Folsom Prison is an entertaining album. Most songs are country. Many of the songs deal with prison life or criminal acts. The songs are full of black humor. I suppose the choice of songs are apt for Johnny's reputation and because they are performing at a prison, but perhaps the prisoners might have liked something more upbeat.

No matter, the prisoners seemed to enjoy the performance and Johnny Cash is a great showman who easily connects with his audience. I think it's great that he performed for prisoners. I wonder how many entertainers perform for prisoners these days.

This is certainly an album worth owning. Johnny Cash and his supporting musicians—June Carter, The Tennessee Three, The Statler Brothers and Carl Perkins—sound excellent live. The songs are great. Johnny Cash's strength and appeal lie in his lyrics and his voice; he sure knows how to convincingly tell a compelling story. The stand out songs are Folsom Prison Blues, Cocaine Blues, 25 Minutes to Go, Orange Blossom Special, The Wall, Jackson, Green, Green Grass of Home and Greystone Chapel.

★★★★★★★★★★

102. Loretta Lynn | Don't Come Home a Drinkin' (With Lovin' on Your Mind) (1967)

---

Wikipedia Entry

---

Tracks

1. Don't Come Home A' Drinkin' (With Lovin' on Your Mind)
2. I Really Don't Want to Know
3. Tomorrow Never Comes
4. There Goes My Everything
5. The Shoe Goes on the Other Foot Tonight
6. Saint to a Sinner
7. The Devil Gets His Dues
8. I Can't Keep Away from You
9. I'm Living In Two Worlds
10. Get What 'Cha Got and Go
11. Making Plans
12. I Got Caught

---

Don't Come Home A' Drinkin' (With Lovin' on Your Mind) is a strong album. The songs are typical country. However, Loretta Lynn is a charismatic singer, so the songs are fun and lively.

It's a solid, predictable album. The songs deal with the typical themes and the music is of the same style.

This is a good album and the songs are all good, but I don't think it should be on the 1001 Albums list. The stand out songs are: Don't Come Home A' Drinkin' (With Lovin' on Your Mind), Tomorrow Never Comes, There Goes My Everything, The Shoe Goes on the Other Foot Tonight, The Devil Gets His Dues, Get What 'Cha Got and Go and I Got Caught.

There seems to be a recent spate of albums that I don't think should be on the list. Perhaps, the 1001 Albums editor put these albums on the list because they had a significance at the time they were made. However, that doesn't suggest that these are timeless albums which is what the title of the book would suggest. If this trend continues, I'll have to change the way I discuss these albums.

★★★★★★★☆☆☆

99. Merle Haggard | I'm a Lonesome Fugitive (1967)

---

Wikipedia Entry

---

Tracks

1. I'm a Lonesome Fugitive
2. All of Me Belongs to You
3. House of Memories
4. Life in Prison
5. Whatever Happened to Me
6. Drink Up and Be Somebody
7. Someone Told My Story
8. If You Want to Be My Woman
9. Mary's Mine
10. Skid Row
11. My Rough and Rowdy Ways
12. Mixed Up Mess of a Heart

---

I'm a Lonesome Fugitive is a stoic album. The songs are pure country.

The success of country music is in the formula employed. There is never a doubt whether the music is country music because the rhythm, the choice of instruments and how they sound, and the style of singing give it away. But if there's any doubt remaining, it's gone once the carefully chosen lyrics, themes and iconic imagery that is conjured are considered.

Merle Haggard has the formula perfected. This is a brilliant country music album through and through. The songs are fun, entertaining and sound great. They are all worth listening to and contribute to sound of the album. The stand outs are I'm a Lonesome Fugitive, Drink Up and Be Somebody, If You Want to Be My Woman, Skid Row and Mixed Up Mess of a Heart.

★★★★★★★★★★

47. Buck Owens | I've Got a Tiger by the Tail (1965)

Wikipedia Entry

---

Tracks

1. I've Got a Tiger By the Tail
2. Trouble and Me
3. Let the Sad Times Roll On
4. Wham Bam
5. If You Fall Out of Love With Me
6. Fallin' for You
7. We're Gonna Let the Good Times Roll
8. The Band Keeps Playin' On
9. The Streets of Laredo
10. Cryin' Time
11. A Maiden's Prayer
12. Memphis Tennessee

---

I've Got a Tiger by the Tail is an enjoyable album. There are a mix of slow and lively songs, and there are even a couple of harder-edged songs.

The first half of the album is strong, but the second half of the album is a mixed bag. There are a three slow songs that grind the album to a halt: If You Fall Out of Love With Me,  The Band Keeps Playin' On and Cryin' Time. I'd blame the country style and not the band though. That is, you either like it or you hate it.

I listened to the album enough times for it to hook me if it was going to, but it didn't. It's worth listening to at least and I wouldn't complain if someone put it on, but I won't be pining for later. It's also worth listening to if only to hear what country and western music sounded like before and what it's going to sound like in the future. Of course, that would not have been clear back in 1965, but what would have been clear is that country music is changing, too. Certainly, Buck Owens was ahead of his time.

The stand out songs are I've Got a Tiger by the Tail, Trouble and Me, Let the Sad Times Roll On, Wham Bam, Fallin' For You, We're Gonna Let the Good Times Roll, The Streets of Laredo, A Maiden's Prayer and Memphis Tennessee. 
★★★★★★★☆☆☆

34. Ray Price | Night Life (1962)

---

Tracks

1. Introduction And Theme / Night Life         
2. Lonely Street         
3. The Wild Side Of Life         
4. Sittin' And Thinkin'         
5. The Twenty Fourth Hour         
6. A Girl In The Night         
7. Pride         
8. There's No Fool Like A Young Fool         
9. If She Could See Me Now         
10. Bright Lights And Blonde-Haired Women         
11. Are You Sure         
12. Let Me Talk To You

---

Night Life is a fair album. Ray Price has a very good and strong voice and the music is simple, but enjoyable. The fiddle is interesting and the country style of guitar playing is flavorful.

It's an archetypal country album. The lyrics and music evoke loneliness and lost opportunity—and a lot of tears. While the lyrics are compelling and well-written, those themes get tiresome after a while. The music also follows the same beat, so after the first few songs everything starts sounding alike.

At the start of the album there's an introduction by Ray Price thanking his fans for supporting him and the band and other stuff. It's nice that he's appreciative, but it's not something anyone wants to hear over and over again.

The album is worth listening to. Strange as it is, I actually like the album, but I can imagine that it's not everyone's cup of tea.  The stand out songs are Introduction And Theme / Night Life (minus Introduction and Theme), Lonely Street, The Wild Side of Life, Sittin' and Thinkin'.
★★★★★★☆☆☆☆

22. Marty Robbins | Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs (1959)

Wikipedia entry

---

Tracks

1. Big Iron
2. Cool Water
3. Billy The Kid
4. A Hundred And Sixty Acres
5. They're Hanging Me Tonight
6. The Strawberry Roan
7. El Paso
8. In The Valley
9. The Master's Call
10. Running Gun
11. The Little Green Valley
12. Utah Carol

---

Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs is a solid album. I fell in love with this album the very first time I heard it and haven't given up the love affair. Each song evokes brilliantly clear images of the Old West. Marty Robbins has the most perfect voice for this kind of music; he sounds just like the rough and rugged characters he sings about.

All the songs are thematically and stylistically linked, but they are unique enough to complement each other. The strongest songs are Big Iron, Cool Water, They're Hanging Me Tonight, El Paso, The Master's Call and Utah Carol.
★★★★★★★★★★

3. The Louvin Brothers | Tragic Songs of Life (1956)

---

Wikipedia Entry

---

Tracks

1. Kentucky
2. I'll Be All Smiles Tonight
3. Let Her Go, God Bless Her
4. What Is Home Without Love
5. A Tiny Broken Heart
6. In the Pines
7. Alabama
8. Katie Dear
9. My Brother's Will
10. Knoxville Girl
11. Take the News to Mother
12. Mary of the Wild Moor

---

Tragic Songs of Life is an apt title for this dark album. Most songs feature a character suffering one sort of tragedy or another; often of their own making, but sometimes not. As murder ballad go, Knoxville Girl is quite brutal.

Despite the dark themes, this is an enjoyable album to listen to. The Louvin Brothers sing close harmony and sound really good, even with the Southern twang. The music is simple enough, just a guitar and mandolin, to focus attention on the singing, but unfortunately the songs all sound the same and continue to even after listening to the album several times.

Stand out tracks are Kentucky, Katie Dear, Knoxville Girl, Take the News to Mother and Mary of the Wild Moor.

★★★★★★★☆☆☆