BURIED TREASURES

OK, Just so you know I am a little mad tonight over something I read. Maybe, more than a little....I am going to blog on it, but I don't need to do it tonight....but maybe next week....Still, I have some creative energy I need to burn off so, I go back to the well. There is a great Country Classics station in Alma, GA - 104.3 FM, and every now and then, they play things that I think Eddie Stubbs, Ken Loggains, Marcia Campbell and I have heard of. So, for this blog, I thought I would shine the spotlight on twenty records that you have maybe never heard---none of these records were a top ten, but they are truly "Deep Catalog," as Professor Stubbs would say.....

"Someday My Day Will Come," George Jones # 22 / 1979
He wasn't in the best of physical shape here, but maybe that's the point. In all the darkness, the "Possum" still had an ounce of hope.

"Back To Bein' Me," George Strait Album Cut / 1988
You can't really find a Strait non-hit, so I chose this one from his 1988 If You Ain't Lovin album. He's had so many great album cuts, you could do a box set on them alone.

"I Will Rock And Roll With You," Johnny Cash # 21 / 1979
Recorded as the "Man In Black" was celebrating a quarter-century in the spotlight, this one hearkened back to that Sun era like few of his records from the 70s and 80s did.


FINAL TOUCHES, Conway Twitty, 1993
My closest friends will tire of my love affair of this album, which proved to be Conway's last. And, while there may be a little bit of emotion tied to it, this disc was as current and as vital as anything anyone else was doing at the time, and I think could have yielded a few more hits - even during the age of the "Boot Scooters."

"Out Among The Stars," Merle Haggard, # 21 / 1986
Though I personally think Waylon had just as strong of a cut on this one, Haggard's version of a young man who can't escape his heritage is one of his unsung classics.

"The River Unbroken," Dolly Parton, # 63 / 1988
Her first single for Columbia after a two-decade partnership with RCA, this one was very Pop---even then, but the lyrics were strong then....and blow me away now.

"I'm Not Trying To Forget You," Willie Nelson # 21 / 1986
WSM-AM was what I listened to growing up, and they played the heck out of this one, so I assumed it was a bigger hit. Still, a great performance.

"When I Loved Her," Ray Price
Historians will debate how Price's lush recordings stacked up to his 50s Traditional ones. I say put anything he's ever done - 50s through today - against anyone. He may be the best singer to ever grace the Country format. From his late 60s / early 70s years, this one could teach lessons today.

"You're Gonna Be (Always Loved By Me)", Reba # 33 / 2005
This song about a mother's love still gets me. I remember the first time I heard it - coming back from a long trip in a procession to Centerville, TN in October of 2005. That's all I will say about that.

"Our Old Mansion," Buck Owens, # 91 / 1977
A lot of people just assume that Buck Owens never cut anything great after the death of Don Rich. That's not exactly true. While nobody appreciates Don as much as me, there were still a few moments of brilliance - though nobody heard this one. I will say that if Don were on this one, it could have been maybe the best recording Buck ever made...

"Tulsa," Waylon Jennings, 1971
Hear ye, hillbilly bad-ass wannabes! Being an "Outlaw" is a lot more than how much tobacco and dirt roads you sing about. Taken from the perspective of an ex who goes after the man his lover left him for after he leaves her pregnant, well...I wouldn't want Jennings on my trail.

"Getting Over You," Hank Williams, Jr, 1974?
Written after a suicide attempt, this might be one of the most grittiest things Bocephus ever cut. Kid Rock could knock a remake of this one all the way to Grammy contention

"Goodbye" / Alabama, 1990
They've had so many hits, but this one never was released as a single. From their Pass It On Down album, this was Randy Owen at his best.

"Oh, How I Miss You Tonight," / Jim Reeves
Though an electronically engineered duet with Deborah Allen made it to the top ten in 1980, I am still surprised that Chet Atkins didn't release the original. It could have been a smash of the magnitude of "He'll Have To Go."

"Have I Got Some Blues For You," Charley Pride / # 14, 1987
After over two decades with RCA, Pride made a comeback in the late 80s with this one. It was a big hit, but a lot better than # 14!

"L.A. To The Moon," Ronnie Milsap / # 45, 1992
Milsap was in the process of leaving RCA when this lame duck single was released----but there was nothing second rate about the quality of it. This is one of those songs that is out there, hanging around for someone, I guarantee it!

"Goin' Back To Alabama" Kenny Rogers / 1981
Kenny Rogers has had success with many styles over the years. This may be one of his best-written songs of all time, produced by frequent collaborator Lionel Richie. And, if you are fortunate to find the Share Your Love album from whence it came, listen to that harmony.....from Michael Jackson, no less.

"Talkin' To Myself Again," Tammy Wynette / # 16, 1988
This song was part of a comeback for Tammy during her Higher Ground phase, but I would put this in a list of her top five records---a lot higher than it made it on the charts.

"Double S," Bill Anderson / # 30, 1978
From the disco-oriented Ladies' Choice album, I've always admired how Anderson tied so many words and names together.

"The Man In The Mirror, Jim Glaser / # 17, 1983
Simply put, one of the best songs by one of the best singers. Ever. Period. And, that's how I feel!

Well, writing about these songs made me feel better. Still mad, though. You'll hear about that next week. Let's just say that experts are a dime a dozen.....and some aren't even worth that much!