Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA Owen Bradley - Big Guitar
 | This LP is comprised of unreleased studio sessions cut at Owen Bradley's Nashville studio in '58 and '59. Eventually, the studio became known as Bradley's Barn, which was home to many legendary sessions. The musicians on this album are essentially Bradley's house band, and include many very familiar names.
| Owen Bradley Studio Sessions 1958 | Owen Bradley
guitar | Grady Martin
guitar | Buddy Harmon
drums | Floyd Cramer
piano | Lightnin' Chance
bass | Boots Randolf
sax | | Owen Bradley Studio Sessions 1959 | Owen Bradley
guitar | Ray Edinton
guitar | Buddy Harmon
drums | Floyd Cramer
piano | Bob Moore
bass | Boots Randolf
sax |
Bradley was also the orchestra leader at WSM's radio rochestra from 1947 through 1958, backing hundreds of legends on the Grand Ol Opry. |
Picks: Big Guitar, Cannonball, Rumble, Ramrod, Tequila, Tricky, Raunchy, Blueberry Hill, Honky Tonk, Five O'Clock Jump, Hound Dog, The Stroll, Cool Daddy, Funky
Track by Track Review
Rock (Instrumental)
This is a fairly routine slow guitar boogie shuffle. The sax waxes a slow tortured line as the guitar inches towards rhythm nirvana.
Cannonball Rock (Instrumental)
Duane Eddy's hit "Cannonball" is big guitar twanged, with a more restrained approach. The sax plaintively cries bridgework for the track. Uninspired, but competent.
Rock (Instrumental)
It's funny how many ways Link Wray's "Rumble" can be arranged. Though sporting ample vibrato, this low volume low energy interpretation is completely different from the original in the energy and danger departments, yet has a lot of charm. Think of it as a don't wake the neighbors arrangement. It works really well despite the restrained attack.
Rock (Instrumental)
The bouncy bass and guitar lines change Al Casey's masterpiece into a soulful groove, replacing the original thrash ethic with precision R&B soul. A very interesting way to do this.
Rock (Instrumental)
Funny, but this seems kinda like a tea toddler's way of drinking "Tequila." It's not exactly energized, yet still infectious. The arrangement is very close to the original, but with ear plugs.
Tricky Rock (Instrumental)
"Tricky" is a classic faceless fifties rock 'n' roll jam, with plinking piano and an undulating beat.
Raunchy Rock (Instrumental)
Bill Justis' classic R&B romp "Raunchy" is delivered a la carte (less sauce). Soft and dry, with a general lack of edge and angst.
Blueberry Hill Rock (Instrumental)
Fats Domino's "Blueberry Hill" is played like the Champs on vacation in a mall. Cheesy organ and faux-suave sax. Not particularly interesting.
Honky Tonk Rock (Instrumental)
Bill Dogget's classic "Honky Tonk" gets the mall organ treatment. Egads, this is a sad commentary of the state of rock 'n' roll as it declined towards the end of the fifties.
Five O'Clock Jump Rock (Instrumental)
Rhythmic guitar chops and fifties horn rock sound. Typical of Hollywood's idea of rock 'n' roll, but miles from the truth.
Hound Dog Rock (Instrumental)
The horns carry the message, but miss the gutty soul of Big Mamma Thornton and the cash-cow spunk of the King. Aside from a couple of Bill Haley guitar flourishes, it's pretty tame.
The Stroll Rock (Instrumental)
The nastiness of the original's horns and dark after midnight edge are gone, replaced by fifties horn slush and cheesy mall organ. Only the piano glissandos keep it interesting.
Cool Daddy Rock (Instrumental)
Like a cross between the Champs and Duane Eddy, "Cool Daddy" moves to a slowish beat, and sports a beat-generation post Skyliners vocal chorus. It sounds like a failed attempt to create a hit.
Funky Rock (Instrumental)
Raw sax and dreadful mall organ over a slow walking blues backtrack. "Funky" has a long ways to go before it rises to the legacy of its title.