Sorry, folks... I keep meaning to post new musenick here. Other things in life distract me from doing so.
Anyway... Johnnie and Jack. If you like raw, hard classic country music with hair-raising harmonies, these fellers are right up your alley. Their career spanned some 30 years, ending with the death of Jack Anglin in 1963. (He was on his way to Patsy Cline's funeral when he had a fatal car accident.)
Among the many innovations J&J brought to country music was the introduction of Latin rhythms, via their breakthrough 1950 hit "Poison Love." Ironically, neither of the two singer-guitarists were able to master the syncopated rhythms, and studio musicians had to sub for them on this and other south-of-the-border style discs, which include "Ashes of Love," "Heart Trouble," "Lonesome" and "I Can't Tell My Heart That."
Most of the duo's songs were written by Jack Anglin's brother, Jim. Jim Anglin was among the most talented behind-the-scenes guys in classic country. He ghost-wrote songs for other performers (Roy Acuff among them), and often sold them outright. His confessional, stark lyrics are easily spotted amidst these songs.
"What About You?," the concern's first major-label recording, is a choice example. Anglin's lyrics are as good as Hank Williams' "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry." Like that classic song, this conveys a great deal of emotional information via the simplest of words, stated eloquently and humbly.
Anglin had ambitions to write fiction. I've heard that he placed some short stories with The New Yorker, although I've yet to find one. He wrote a memoir, which was posthumously published. 1,000 pardons: the title escapes me, and a quick web search revealed nothing.
Johnnie Wright's lead vocals tend to lack the lung power of the typical post-war country singer. He's no Webb Pierce, but he expresses a lot with his limited range and almost conversational tone. He's often overpowered by Jack Anglin's piercing tenor harmonies. The blend of their voices is striking and unusual. It harks back to the country singing styles of the 1920s and early '30s.
That female voice you hear on recordings such as "Trials and Tribulations" is Johnnie's wife, Muriel Wright, better known as "Kitty Wells." Kitty had a long, distinguished solo career, which had already begun by the time Johnnie and Jack made their breakthrough. Still, she frequently added her unmistakable voice to many of the group's recordings, altho' she was under contract to another major label.
Another female voice, which powerfully appears on "Feet of Clay" and "I Want To Be Loved," is Johnnie and Kitty's daughter, Ruby Wells. In 1955/6, Johnnie and Jack made several recordings with Ruby singing a prominent third part. "Feet of Clay," an intense accusatory waltz written by Jim Anglin, is among the best country music recordings of the 1950s.
Two intriguing Jesus songs are included. "Jesus Remembered Me," featuring Ms. Wells in full force, was written by Hank Williams, but never commercially recorded by its author. "Jesus Hits Like an Atom Bomb" heralds another of Johnnie and Jack's innovations. First recorded in 1950 by the gospel group The Soul Stirrers, and written by Lowell Blanchard, this song offers a fascinating glimpse into the world-threatening tension of everyday life in the Cold War era. This anxiety, wedded to the equally upsetting end-of-the-world gospel message, is delivered in a downright toe-tapping, uptempo performance, with razor-sharp harmonies by J&J, Wells and Co.
You can hear the Soul Stirrers' 1950 original version HERE. Compare and contrast the two versions; this, more than anything I can think of, displays the fascinating contrasts and similarities of black and white musics in post-war America.
J&J had one of their biggest chart hits in 1954 with another R&B cover, "Oh Baby Mine (I Get So Lonely)." They also covered "Sincerely," by the Moonglows, and created a series of R&B styled B-sides that are ur-rock-and-roll.
Enough said for now...download 'n' enjoy!
They were among the first country music performers to cover black rhythm and blues/gospel material.
Bob Dylan is a noted fan of Johnnie and Jack. He has played their songs in his live performances, including the two-chord Latin lament "Ashes of Love."
Johnnie Wright passed away on September 27, 2011 at the age of 97. He outlived his daughter Ruby by two years! Kitty Wells is still alive, at age 92.
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