Shreveport High Steppers: Ram Rockabilly & Hillbilly

by N/A

Overview

The Shreveport, LA-based Ram label put out a cartload of rock, blues, and country records in the 1950s without ever establishing itself as a major indie. This 26-track compilation of, as the title promises, rockabilly and hillbilly sides from the decade is definitely for the "let's clean out the vault 'cause it's there'" kind of enthusiasts. That's not to say that it's terrible, just that it's a pretty unremarkable collection of minor leaguers, the biggest name -- and she's hardly a big one -- being Margaret Lewis. A couple of guys not primarily known for work under their own name make early appearances. Joe Osborne, one of the top Los Angeles rock session bassists of the 1960s, is represented by the previously unreleased instrumental "Rovin'," one of the better cuts with its tough blues-rock swagger. James Burton, meanwhile, contributes guitar to Leon Post's unreleased instrumental "Dollie in the Dirt Boogie." For the most part, the CD has run-of-the-mill rockabilly that's a little more subdued than the manic performances that tend to fill compilations such as these, sometimes with a pronounced country flavor. The Lonesome Drifter (who has nine songs), for instance, sounds a little like a rockabillied Hank Williams, sometimes smothered in a ridiculous amount of echo. Most of these acts would have been fine as warmups for Shreveport's famous Louisiana Hayride radio show, but it can't be said that their Ram sides (seven of which are previously unreleased) on this disc are worth much attention. ~ Richie Unterberger

Product Details

Release Date:	10/09/2001
Label:	Ace
UPC:	0029667181822
Rank:	130315

Tracks

1. Eager Boy  -  Lonesome Drifter
2. Baby I Want Another Date  -  Country Playboys  -  Mack  - Mack Allen Smith
3. Rovin'  - Joe Osborn
4. Shake a Leg  - Lewis Margaret
5. Honey Do You Think of Me  -  Lonesome Drifter
6. Teardrop Valley  -  Lonesome Drifter
7. Wilson's Blues No. 1  - James Wilson
8. You Won't Know Why 'Til I'm Gone  -  Jimmie Cats  - James Wilson
9. Dollie in the Dirt Boogie  - Leon Post
10. Just Another Lie  - Linda Brannon
11. Ain't Got Nothing But the Blues  - Thomas Johnson  -  Lonesome Drifter
12. No Loving No Rocking Blues  -  Lonesome Drifter  - James Wilson
13. I'll Take a Chance  - Thomas Johnson  -  Lonesome Drifter
14. I Wonder Where You Are Tonight  - Johnny Bond  - Endom Spires
15. I'll Be True  - Charlotte Hunter  - William McLemore
16. Wherever You Are  - Charlotte Hunter
17. I Wished It Wasn't So  - Thomas Johnson  -  Lonesome Drifter
18. This Old World Don't Seem the Same  - Thomas Johnson  -  Lonesome Drifter
19. I'm Gonna Quit My Crying  - Thomas Johnson  -  Lonesome Drifter
20. I'll Be Lonesome When You're Gone  -  Lonesome Drifter
21. When I First Met My Girl  - Toby Johnson
22. Thinkin' of You  - Toby Johnson  - Margaret Lewis  - Mira Smith
23. Goin' to St Louie  - Toby Johnson  - Margaret Lewis  - Mira Smith
24. Any Way You Do  - Roy Wayne
25. Honey Won't You Listen  - Roy Wayne
26. My Baby Went Away  - Larry Lincoln  - Bill Sanford
27. That'll Hold You  - Larry Lincoln

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Charlotte Hunter   Primary Artist
The Lonesome Drifter   Primary Artist
Endom Spires   Primary Artist
Margaret Lewis   Primary Artist
Joe Osborne   Primary Artist
Roy Wayne   Primary Artist
Larry Lincoln   Primary Artist
James Wilson & the Jimmie-Cats   Primary Artist
Leon Post   Primary Artist
Linda Brannon   Primary Artist
Toby Johnson   Primary Artist
Mack   Primary Artist
Lewis Margaret   Primary Artist
James Wilson   Primary Artist
Country Playboys   Primary Artist
Lonesome Drifter   Primary Artist
Jimmie Cats   Primary Artist
Joe Osborn   Primary Artist

Technical Credits

Mack Allen Smith   Composer
Margaret Lewis   Composer
Joe Osborn   Performer,Composer
Mira Smith   Composer
Thomas Johnson   Composer
Johnny Bond   Composer
Roy Wayne   Performer
William McLemore   Composer
Toby Johnson   Performer
Brian Burrows   Package Design,Cover Design
Bill Sanford   Composer
James Wilson   Performer,Composer
Linda Brannon   Performer
Leon Post   Composer