Old Records

Country, gospel, and rhythm and blues are the major arteries that flow to the heart of Americana musical traditions, each influencing the other through shared themes of storytelling, emotion, and spirituality. Gospel’s uplifting harmonies and spiritual fervor inspired both the heartfelt narratives of country music and the soulful expressions of rhythm and blues. Similarly, rhythm and blues infused gospel energy into secular music, while country music borrowed melodic and vocal elements from both genres. The “golden age” of these genres is often considered to be the mid-20th century, roughly the 1940s through the 1960s, when their innovation and cross-pollination laid the groundwork for modern popular music, including rock and roll. This week on Deeper Roots we’re going to flip through some classic old records (as we love to do) and highlight the morning with performances from the likes of Otis Spann, Merle Travis, Sue Foley, Sturgill Simpson, and a few dozen others.

No.ArtistTitleAlbumBuy
1Margie SingletonOld RecordsOne More Record PleaseAmazon
2Seasick SteveDarkMan from Another Time (Bonus Version)Amazon
3Sturgill SimpsonBreakers RoarA Sailor's Guide To EarthAmazon
4The Everly BrothersBowling GreenWalk Right Back: The Everly Brothers on Warner Bros. Disc 2Amazon
5The Kossoy SistersBowling GreenBluegrass JamboreeAmazon
6Merle TravisSmoke! Smoke! Smoke! (That Cigarette)Ash Grove 12/9/1966Amazon
7Commander Cody and His Lost Planet AirmenSmoke! Smoke! Smoke! (That Cigarette)We've Got a Live One Here!Amazon
8The Louvin BrothersThere's A Grave In The Wave Of The OceanClose Harmony [Disc 7]Amazon
9Hart Valley DriftersNine Pound HammerFolk TimeAmazon
10Van MorrisonDark Night Of The SoulThree Chords And The TruthAmazon
11The Riders Of The Purple SageCool Water (Radio)Cowboy Crooners Sing Songs Of The West Cd 1Amazon
12The Harmonizing FourWade In The WaterJesus Rocked The Jukebox: Small Group Black Gospel (1951-1965)Amazon
13The Soul StirrersJesus I'll Never Forget [Album Version]The Ladykillers Music From The Motion PictureAmazon
14Mahalia JacksonDark Was The NightMoving On Up A Little HigherAmazon
15Bing CrosbyDown to the Old Ox RoadBing Crosby in Hollywood (1930-1934), Vol. 1Amazon
16Sue FoleyFreight TrainOne Guitar WomanAmazon
17Porter WagonerBanks of the Ohio1968 (Warped 6846)Amazon
18Roy Rogers with Country WashburneMy Chickashay Girl26 All-Time Country ClassicsAmazon
19Merle HaggardTime Changes EverythingThe Peer SessionsAmazon
20Jimmie DolanThe Wheel That Does The Squeakin'Juke Box BoogieAmazon
21Raul MaloWeary Blues from Waitin'The Nashville Acoustic SessionsAmazon
22Ted Daffan's TexansBorn To Lose26 All-Time Country ClassicsAmazon
23Norridge Mayhams And The Blue ChipsI'm A Rattlesnakin' DaddyNorridge Mayhams and The Blue ChipsAmazon
24Mae WestI'm An Occidental Woman In An Oriental Mood For LoveThe Mae West CollectionAmazon
25Jewel Paige & Her Brown BrowniesGive It UpIf You Take Me BackAmazon
26Julia LeeSnatch It And Grab It (06-11-47)1947Amazon
27Slim GaillardThunderbirdABC Of The Blues Vol 12Amazon
28John HiattThunderbirdMaster of DisasterAmazon
29Chuck BerryJaguar and ThunderbirdThe Chess Box Disc 2Amazon
30Otis SpannMule Kicking In My StallCryin' TimeAmazon
31Lowell FulsonBlue ShadowsChess Blues Disc 4Amazon

Legend: Grady Martin

He was a member of Nashville’s A-Team. He invented the electric guitar ‘fuzz’ effect by accident in a Marty Robbins recording session. He played on some of the most recognizable hit songs and landmark albums; not just country but rock, soul, folk, country rock and released some jazz guitar albums of his own. You can hear his work day in and day out: the Spanish-style acoustic work on Marty’s El Paso, the opening and unforgettable lick on Roy Orbison’s Oh Pretty Woman, plus dozens upon dozens more. He was one of the most sought after session men in the industry. Oh, and his jazz work with Mancini, Hirt and Fountain were followed by a gig as session leader for Vanguard Records’ album releases of Joan Baez, Buffy Sainte-Marie and Country Joe. If there’s a word that goes a step beyond prolific, it describes Grady Martin. Join us for a show that celebrates the legend. 

No.ArtistTitleAlbumBuy
1Roy OrbisonOh, Pretty WomanShades of Roy OrbisonAmazon
2Grady Martin & Don CherryLong John BoogieGrady MartinAmazon
3Mimi RomanLittle Lovin'Foot Tappin' & Dance At Screamin' Festival Vol. 1Amazon
4Patsy ClineStop, Look and ListenRockin' PatsyAmazon
5Janis MartinWill You WillyumGrady MartinAmazon
6Roy HallWhole Lotta Shakin' Goin' OnGrady MartinAmazon
7Red FoleyChattanoogie Shoe Shine BoyHillbilly Fever [Disc 3]Amazon
8Red Foley, Grady MartinPinball BoogieHillbilly Fever [Disc 4]Amazon
9Red FoleyMy Window Faces SouthHillbilly Fever [Disc 4]Amazon
10Burl Ives With Grady Martin & His Slew Foot FiveDiesel Smoke, Dangerous CurvesRoughneck Blues 1949 – 1956Amazon
11Marvin RainwaterWhole Lotta WomanWhole Lotta WomanAmazon
12Jimmy LloydWhere The Rio De Rosa FlowsGrady MartinAmazon
13Red SovineHow Do You Think I FeelGrady MartinAmazon
14Brenda LeeLittle Jonah (Rock On Your Steel Guitar)Brenda Lee RocksAmazon
15Johnny HortonI'm Coming HomeHonky Tonk Man: The Essential Johnny Horton 1956-1960 (1 of 2)Amazon
16Johnny BurnetteThe Train Kept A Rollin'Loud, Fast & Out of Control: The Wild Sounds of the '50s [Box] Disc 4Amazon
17Warner MackRoc-A-ChickaRock'N'Roll & Rock-A-Billy InfernoAmazon
18Autry InmanMary NellGrady MartinAmazon
19Marty RobbinsDon't WorryAmerican Music Library: The Hits Of 1961Amazon
20Lefty FrizzellSaginaw, Michigan (Grady Martin)Classic CountryAmazon
21Marty RobbinsEl PasoA Lifetime of Song (1951-1982)Amazon
22Elvis PresleyPlease Don't Drag That String AroundFrom Nashville To Memphis: The Essential 60's Masters [Disc 2]Amazon
23Joe HendersonSnap Your FIngersOxford American Music Issue #13-MississippiAmazon
24Ray PriceFor The Good TimesColumbia Country Classics – Volume 4: The Nashville SoundAmazon
25Brenda LeeI'm SorryMiss DynamiteAmazon
26Jeanne PruettSatin SheetsClassic Country: 1970-1974 [Disc 2]Amazon
27Loretta LynnCoal Miner's DaughterClassic Country: 1970-1974Amazon
28Willie NelsonOn The Road AgainOne Hell Of A RideAmazon
29Sammi SmithHelp Me Make It Through The NightCountry LadiesAmazon
30Conway TwittyDon't Cry No MoreGrady MartinAmazon
31Johnny HortonHonky Tonk ManColumbia Country Classics Volume 2: Honky Tonk HeroesAmazon
32Johnny HortonThe Battle Of New OrleansClassic CountryAmazon
33Mervin Shiner & Grady MartinSettin' The Woods On FireGrady MartinAmazon
34Johnny BurnetteRock Billy BoogieRoughneck Blues 1949 – 1956Amazon