First of all, any album cover that features the artist seated at a table wearing a suit and tie and holding a bottle of beer says to me that something good is within. (That might even be the legendary Tootsie's Orchid Lounge--note the graffti). Secondarily, it seems to me that being a Charlie Walker fan is somewhat akin to rooting for the underdog--sorta like being a Red Sox fan, back before they started winning all those World Series. But let's be honest. This song is "Heartaches by the Number" by any other name, and I'm fairly certain that it was recorded after Ray Price became a big star with his hardcore honky-tonk sound. Now then: that raises two issues. One, that originality is not an issue when it comes to country & western music. Melodies, themes, and lyrics are used, re-used & abused time after time. And two, Price eventually abandoned that classic "Heartaches" sound in favor of a smoother "countrypolitan" style, whereas Mr. Walker did not. So if you're a traditionalist, your sensibilities will make you gravitate towards the songs of Charlie. And if you're a Driftwood Singersist, who the hell knows what you'll be listening to tomorrow? At any rate, it's a question that the wife and I often pose to one another.
1 comment:
"The wife and I."
So awesome.
Post a Comment