As Dave Penny points out in his sleevenotes, Hal Harris was “one of the most celebrated of the early rockabilly guitarists of the 1950s” whose “chaotic and spine-chillingly bluesy solos on his Fender Stratocaster for Starday Records in Houston were as distinctive (and valuable) as Roland Janes' in Memphis, Grady Martin's in Nashville or Joe Maphis' in Hollywood.” He’s undoubtedly not as celebrated as the others but this excellent compilation from El Toro will surely help address the injustice.
It features the 1950s recordings issued under his own name as well as a selection of his session work for a bunch of Texas artists whose work was enhanced by Harris’ guitar, whether it be on a hillbilly or a rockabilly session. The country stuff stuff is fine and very much of the day and location, but it’s the rockabilly cuts that really stand him apart for me.
There’s a string of rockin’ classics as he served as the house guitarist for Pappy Daily's stable of labels, Starday, Dixie and D Records. The majority of them were issued at the time to little fanfare, but became classics across many a European household during the rockabilly revival of the 1970s and 80s. The names trip of the tongue - Joe Clay, George Thumper Jones, Sleepy La Beef, Link Davis, Rock Rogers and Benny Barnes. Picking favourites is irrelevant as they nearly all hit the spot. If pushed I’d have to go for Al Urban’s Gonna Be Better Times and Jimmie & Johnny’s Can’t Find The Door Knob.
Top prove he could have been much more than a session man, he did recorded a couple of rockers himself. It was actually one of these, Jitterbug Baby, that first made me aware of him on a 20 Great Rockabilly Hits of the 50’s (Cascade Records) in the mid 80’s. It was reportedly cut at the end of a 1957 George Jones session, along with another hot rockabilly number, I Don't Know When. That pairing, together with this cracking CD will forever keep Hal Fuzzy Harris in my heart and in my ears. Buy this release with confidence, it’s a peach. (Rockabilly Monthly)
INFO: http://www.rockabilly.nl/artists/halharris.htm
trax:
1 The Carroll County Boys - Carroll County Boogie 2 Curley Williams & His Georgia Peach Pickers - I Have Lived, Loved and Learned (Columbia) 3 The Carroll County Boys - Flying Eagle Blues (Flair) 4 Hal Harris - I've Loved, I've Laughed, I've Cried (Pacemaker) 5 Hal Harris - Poor Boy Rag (Pacemaker) 6 Ernie Hunter - Boy Crazy Jane (Rainbow) 7 The Hooper Twins - Twin Hearts and Twin Guitars (Azalea) 8 Larry Fox - Guilty Heart (Starday) 9 George Jones - Taggin' Along (Mercury) 10 Hal Harris - I Don't Know When (Starday) 11 Joe Clay - Duck Tail (Vik) 12 Thumper Jones - Rock It (Starday) 13 Al Urban - Gonna Be Better Times (Sarg) 14 Slim Watts - Tu-La-Lou (Starday) 15 Benny Barnes - No Fault Of Mine (Starday) 16 Joe Clay - Sixteen Chicks (Vik) 17 Joe Clay - Doggone It (Vik) 18 Al Urban - Won't Tell You Her Name (Sarg) 19 Thumper Jones - How Come It (Starday) 20 Joe Clay - Slippin' Out and Sneakin' In (Vik) 21 Jimmie & Johnny - I Can't Find The Door Knob 22 Bob Doss - Somebody's Knockin' (Starday) 23 Wortham Watts - Lonesome 24 Rock Rogers - That Ain't It (Starday) 25 Link Davis - Trucker From Tennessee (Starday) 26 Sleepy La Beff - I'm Through (Starday) 27 Benny Barnes & The Echoes - You Gotta Pay (Starday) 28 Tommy Wood - Can't Play Hookey 29 Rock Rogers - Little Rock Rock (Starday) 30 Bob Doss - Don't Be Gone Long (Starday) 31 Joe Clay - Goodbye Goodbye (Vik) 32 Hal Harris - Jitterbop Baby (Starday) 33 Hal Harris? - I'm Comin' Home (Dixie?) 34 Hal Harris - Please Pass The Biscuits (Dixie)
...served by Gyro1966...
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23 comments:
Hal Harris "Gold Star Guitar"
...served by Gyro1966...
gitit! no pw
http://www90.zippyshare.com/v/LX557Zyb/file.html
SCOTT MORGAN
After the Hydromatics post the other day, I got to thinking about all the bands Scott has been a part of over the years and sadly many of them don’t get very much attention. He’s played everything from garage to punk to roadhouse bar rock, but one thing has underlied all the different musical paths he’s traveled: an unwavering adoration & devotion to Motor City soul. Whether through his voice, guitar, or arrangements, the greasy spirit of Detroit puts a mark on everything he does.
THE RATIONALS
His first band came earlier than a lot of folks realize, and was a stunning garage-fuzz white-soul R&B proto-psych rocker. They had one full-length album and a string of 7” singles; the version of the LP shared here includes a few unreleased cuts and alternate versions. The fantastic two-disc anthology includes all the non-LP 7” sides plus demos, rehearsals, alternate takes, and session recordings going back to 1965 when the boys were still in high school.
The Rationals, Self-Titled (1969/2011 Expanded Remaster) 320
http://www12.zippyshare.com/v/d34CtI7a/file.html
The Rationals “Think Rational” (2009) 320
Disk 1:
http://www12.zippyshare.com/v/15I2CUHN/file.html
Disk 2:
http://www12.zippyshare.com/v/QtKZeM03/file.html
GUARDIAN ANGEL
Almost immediately after The Rationals dissolved, Scott formed Guardian Angel and more or less carried the same soul-shake garage rock into the new band. Interestingly enough, just one obscure 7” was all this band officially released in their time; although these powerful recordings were made in 1971 & 1972, they stayed in the vault for over 40 years. Guardian Angel would morph into Lightning, but would remain predominantly a “live band”, just like Sonic’s Rendezvous would also do after that.
Guardian Angel “Into Lightnin’” (2013) 320
http://www12.zippyshare.com/v/DtumCRVK/file.html
Scott Morgan, Part 2
THE SCOTT MORGAN BAND
His first project after the split of Sonic’s Rendezvous Band shows a restraint not seen in the SRB’s full sonic attacks. It’s not a portrait of an artist going soft, but that of a growing songwriter teaching himself the even finer arts of minimalism and dramatic meter, as well as opening the vocal space for more diverse lyrical styles than his previous party-time scream’n’wail. Not a new Scott, but a mature Scott, is starting to emerge.
The Scott Morgan Band “Rock Action” (1988) 320
http://www12.zippyshare.com/v/A863ZDQD/file.html
SCOTS PIRATES
The Scott Morgan Band morphed into Scots Pirates, continued the soul-slathered open rock & roll, and re-introduced former SRB-mate (and original Stooge) Scott Asheton on drums. This outfit had two albums, both of them improvements over the “Rock Action” slow-down album with more soul, more rock, more grit, and in the end, more interesting songs.
Scots Pirates “Revolutionary Means” (1995) 320
http://www12.zippyshare.com/v/heiuuJ9b/file.html
DODGE MAIN
A one-off hard rock & roll and garage soul-punk project with the great Wayne Kramer of MC5 and Deniz Tek from Radio Birdman. Heavy soul, thick with dominant guitar work, good rockin’ fun. Little known and under-appreciated.
Dodge Main, Self-Titled (1996) 320
http://www12.zippyshare.com/v/pEpkvY8X/file.html
Scott Morgan, Part 3
THE SOLUTION
Finally, after years – no, scratch that – after DECADES of beating around the bush, he finally gathers up a group for straight-up stompin’ soul and howlin’ R&B. After enjoying fun and success with The Hydromatics, Scott and Nick Royale teamed up once again to pay homage to the classic soul sound of the 60’s, with tenacious honesty and tactile emotion. A Motor City soul time machine.
The Solution “Communicate” (2004) 192)
http://www12.zippyshare.com/v/A3jintVc/file.html
The Solution “Will Not Be Televised” (2007) VBR
http://www12.zippyshare.com/v/5hfefhO5/file.html
POWERTRANE
While exploring his inner soul-brother with The Solution he still needed an outlet to get his rock fix, so he grabbed former Hydromatics drummer Andrew Frost and a couple of Ann Arbor friends to form this hard rock & roll quartet of guitar cock-rock meets shouting tough soul and roadhouse blues rock. Like so many of his bands, this group was also only around for a few years, and only produced one studio album (along with one live LP).
Powertrane “Beyond The Sound” (2007) 320
http://www12.zippyshare.com/v/nUldnHd3/file.html
SCOTT MORGAN, solo
After so many years of leading bands but sharing the billing, it’s only natural to see him take a step out on his own. Most closely related to his work in The Solution, this is deep R&B soul and rock & roll with subtle dressings of gospel, funk, and acid jazz. An ultra-fine concoction representing a lifetime of gathered knowledge, condensed to one solitary album (so far).
Scott Morgan, Self-Titled (2010) 256
http://www12.zippyshare.com/v/jWo9jjwS/file.html
---------------------------
REQUEST- Does anybody have either of these two, and would you consider sharing?:
-Scots Pirates, Self Titled or “Action Now” (1993) [same album released under different names]
-Powertrane “Ann Arbor Revival Meeting” (2002)
Thanks in advance if you can help!
many thanks for sharing.
LoFi Larry, thanks for your incredible Scott Morgan Post! You made my day. What about a Fred Cole Post?
Scott Morgan, damn good singer musician deserves our Respect. Nuff said.
Simmply fantastic Scott Morgan post LoFi, thank you!
Thanks LoFi!
Mose
Larry, thanks for this bottle of wine:-)
RYP is right - I can't believe that not one person cares about this Hal Harris collection. Hmmm....
Larry, thanks for the Scott Morgan. He's great. All I had of his was a 3 disc retrospective that came out a couple of years ago, I should be able to upload it if anyone is interested in it. It has several unreleased tracks from all of his various outlets over the years.
Thanks for Hal Harris, and everything else!
Erroll Garner
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erroll_Garner
The Complete Concert By The Sea
Disc 1 http://www4.zippyshare.com/v/49QS59XB/file.html
Disc 2 http://www4.zippyshare.com/v/a6LE1KRO/file.html
Disc 3 http://www4.zippyshare.com/v/xFhS2Qv3/file.html
Tragically Hip
Some random tracks
http://www24.zippyshare.com/v/Higbk113/file.html
Up To Here
http://www4.zippyshare.com/v/2MsyzTXw/file.html
Trouble At The Hen House
http://www4.zippyshare.com/v/LqXxZuBg/file.html
Drivin' n' Cryin'
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drivin_N_Cryin
Smoke
http://www89.zippyshare.com/v/q4Srxef0/file.html
Songs From The Laundromat EP
http://www33.zippyshare.com/v/XomQu7Px/file.html
J. Geils Band
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_J._Geils_Band
Terrific bluesrock with Magic Dick as awesome harp player.
Bloodshot
http://www24.zippyshare.com/v/C3BI92hT/file.html
Thanks
Expiring links:
Clancy Brothers & Tommy Makem
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Clancy_Brothers
Sing Of The Sea
http://www72.zippyshare.com/v/l1mwAAkn/file.html
Greg Sage
Sacrifice for love
http://www12.zippyshare.com/v/EqR8zvmG/file.html
Louis Meyers
I'm A Southern Man
http://www56.zippyshare.com/v/jB4ou7hA/file.html
Ben Nichols (Lucero)
The Last pale light In The West
http://www72.zippyshare.com/v/UUNlFQjU/file.html
Schramms
Rock Paper Scissors Dynamite
http://www33.zippyshare.com/v/boa4uvzc/file.html
Chuck Prophet
Balinese Dancer
http://www13.zippyshare.com/v/9LrfmM1N/file.html
David Olney
Deeper Well
http://www35.zippyshare.com/v/8RTNOLpO/file.html
Charles Mingus
Ah Um
http://www26.zippyshare.com/v/CkCLGIEY/file.html
Hidalgo/Perez
The Long Goodbye
http://www74.zippyshare.com/v/5pytn9SX/file.html
Slade
Live
Disc 1 http://www65.zippyshare.com/v/9xhyRcSR/file.html
Disc 2 http://www65.zippyshare.com/v/J4at6Bb0/file.html
Eleventh Dream Days
Zeroes And Ones
http://www72.zippyshare.com/v/eKURM2Qw/file.html
Bailter Space
Wammo
http://www72.zippyshare.com/v/8LnEydjC/file.html
Robyn Hitchcock
Many of the links of Ribyn Hitchcock are expiring in a few days. Here are all the links I have posted before
http://www72.zippyshare.com/v/Pp4S5rLJ/file.html
Los Lobos
Random Tracks
http://www7.zippyshare.com/v/oBZ1K15O/file.html
Hal Harris was indeed a hell of a picker. I had several of these cuts on different albums but never knew about the man himself or that he played on them.
Thanks, Ralph11.
Let me jump in and say that this is one great collection, especially considering that I believe myself to be a serious country music fan WHO HAD NEVER HEARD THIS MAN'S NAME BEFORE TODAY. Wonderful music, fine and enthusiastic playing, all from an early country legend. Thanks so much for this great material.
Iggyguitar
THANK YOU THANK YOU RYP for this Hal Harris CD. I don't know about everybody else but I love this era of country music. And anybody even remotely associated with the STARDAY records is somebody I gotta hear. Just seeing a record with that famous yellow and black label, you know it's gonna be good. And the review is right, he doesn't get near enough respect compared to Grady martin or Joe Maphis. I had this CD in a really bad rip, so I'm happy as sh*t to upgrade. THANKS again
Adding my voice to the choir: I knew some of the songs that HH played on but not him by name as an artist. Learn something new every day around these parts. Speaking of learning, I used to avoid glam as I'm unable to appreciate Bowie (Davy Jones and the Lower Third or Kingbees or Riot Squad is a different kettle of fish). Unfortunately this caused me to go for years without experiencing the power and glory of early Mott The Hoople. As a small token of appreciation for all the TZ sharing that we know and love I present to you, MTH live at the Fillmore West circa November 1969. Twelve songs from a two-night stand @320k with Hunter baiting the mellow locals into a full-fledged rock n roll reaction.
Mott The Hoople 'The Wild Side Of Live'
Fillmore West 11/1969
Tracks 1-6
http://www99.zippyshare.com/v/2tFduqde/file.html
Tracks 7-12
http://www99.zippyshare.com/v/PXVENeBh/file.html
Thanks for Hal Harris . I'm listening yet to this album with a great pleasure .
LittleJack
Any chance for a re-up of the Hal Harris album?
Hal Harris "Gold Star Guitar"
zippyshare link is expired
-Mr. M
Mr. M,
sorry, but unfortunately I can't find it in my archives!
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