Rhythm & Western 5: Cold Cold Heart (Various Artists)

Friends, you are holding the fifth opus of "Rhythm & Western" and we got 5 more boss volumes on ice. I must confess Solomon Burke's classic "How Many Times" always sounded like a Country song to me, so I'm glad I could include it here, Damita Jo delivers does a fantastic version of Ray Price's classic C&W hit "Crazy Arms" also recorded by Jerry Lee Lewis, Patsy Cline, Waylon Jennings, and countless others, another Country hit "You're The Reason" (originally recorded by Bobby Edwards) is delivered by Arthur Alexander. The great Fats Domino is next with his famous version of "Jambalaya" (originally written and recorded by Hank Williams), King Curtis gives a splendid rendition of Hank Snow's "I'm Movin' On" also recorded by a buttload of other artists. To my knowledge, Little Richard never recorded a "bonafide" country song, but some of his Gospel stuff sounds just like it. Just listen to "Do Lord, Remember Me" if you have any doubt. Sonny Boy Williamson II (a.k.a. Rice Miller) and Peppermint Harris, with "Wake Up Baby" and "I Got Loaded" are offering two delightful bronze hillbilly tunes, and "Solid As A Rock" is probably the closest thing to country music ever recorded by Jazz legend Ella Fitzgerald. More fave black C&W of mine by The Twilighters (Hootenanny Stomp), The Sharps (Look At Me), Ruth Brown (Jack O'Diamonds), Magic Sam (Square Dance Rock Part 1), Ted Taylor (Keep Walking On), Pee Wee Crayton (Little Bitty Things), Bobby Day (Undecided), Fats Domino (Bo Weavil). Smokey Hogg (Late Prowling Girl), Ketty Lester (Love Letters), Ben E. King (My Heart Cries For You), and Rochell & The Candles (When My Baby Is Gone) are all top-notch tracks. Enjoy!

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