Pickin' strings with The Moore Brothers

Refreshing is not really a word I reserve for bluegrass records. Although I love bluegrass music, a lot of it can get repetitive and way too rustic. Don't get me wrong, "Rank Strangers" and "The Willow Garden" are among some of my favorite songs off all time. But how many Reno and Smiley 45s does one actually need? It's mostly the fast instrumental stuff that can get repetitive. I love a nice mid-paced bluegrass murder ballad. Or a song like this one, by The Moore Brothers with the Pike County Hikers on Metropolis Records. From Warsaw, IN 1965.
A side, I lost the only love I ever knew. B side, You proved untrue. The writer is credited as Ray Moore, obviously a Moore brother. I am not for sure though, if it is the Ray Moore who had some 45's on Lee records out of Ohio.

In my opinion, quite a refreshing record. Kind of gives me that same feeling I got when I first heard Curtis Gordon's "Tired of Crying". I've had this 45 for about a week, and I think I've played it perhaps 50 times. It went from being a VG record, to being a VG-. Just a great bluegrass record. No more no less. Oh yeah, never mind the continuous "pop" throughout the record; it has a huge scratch on it.

A great database site on Indiana 45s: www.indiana45s.com

Cliff Carlisle Hobo Blues

Been a few weeks since my last post, been ultra busy buying and selling records. Had to go to Indy for a week and a half for the company I work for, not too much fun. I did however manage to sniff out some vinyl! I am, sometimes, at ends with the company I work for so when deciding to go out for some beer and food, I saw it fit to trek in the snow and freezing cold. A mile away from my hotel, I stumbled upon a massive antique shop. I got lucky. There is a formula that I follow when record hunting in antique shops. I ask the clerk if they have any records, she sends me to the quasi-collector's booth. Which means over-priced LPs, and 30.00 dollar Bill Haley 45s. But behind the 30.00 dollar Bill Haley 45, there may be a "VG Danny Ross on Minor" for a buck. I came home with a handful of 45s, and a couple 78s. Charlie Brown on Spinner. I will have to post that one eventually, a nice little hick bopper. Pulled out some Buddy Knox, Gene Vincent, Lloyd Price on Specialty, a Crickets 45, an eccentric Paul Curry 45 (with Roy Buchannan on guitar), New Colony Six on Sentar, some spooky Doo-Wop, Jimmy McCracklin, Johnnie & Joe on Chess, Shadows of Knight, The Strangeloves, and possibly the most x-rated 45 I've ever heard.
But this Decca 78 by Cliff Carlisle stands out above the rest. I found it in a mostly Military booth. I believe it's from 1930. Although most disographies don't have this listed, under Decca releases at least. Two things that I love, that " White man's blues" sound (Jimmie Davis, has some great blues stuff also on Decca) and songs about hobos. This song has them both. I think brother Bill sings lead or back up on this, not for sure. Anyhow, great record by a great artist, enjoy!
I've gotten so much stuff here lately, including perhaps my new favorite bluegrass 45, and a "rare as hell" Doo-wop compilation LP. I have a feeling, I will shoot out a handful of posts within
the next week or so. So stay tuned.

The Progressions '66

A nice slab of harp-heavy garage rock from 1966 on Scepter records. Don't know too much about this 45 or the band. I believe it was their only release. Kind of reminds me of The Rationals. Not too shabby.