Search - Jimmie Rodgers :: The Singing Brakeman

Pricey, but all 111 songs plus overdubs and alternates

Gerald L. Russell | Knoxville, TN USA | 03/31/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I believe the previous reviewer, who gave this set a one-star rating, must have been listening to the last c.d. in this set. In 1955, at Hank Snow's behest, and as a result of MGM's overdubbing of Hank Williams' demos, RCA overdubbed eight of Rodgers' tunes with a country band. Actually, they're good, and I wish several dozen had been overdubbed. Otherwise, all of Rodgers' historical recordings have been faithfully preserved. This is a great set, but, unless you're a Jimmie Rodgers fanatic (as I am am with Hank Williams), you probably will not need all of the alternate takes that have been included here. Rodgers recorded 111 original songs during his career, but, with the alternate takes and the eight overdubs, Bear has stretched the number to about 150.The blue yodels are dated and grate on your nerves after awhile, but there's plenty more great stuff to listen to: "Gamblin' Polka Dot Blues," "My Blue-Eyed Jane," "In the Hills of Tennessee," "Roll Along, Kentucky Moon," etc.Unfortunately for Bear Records, the 5-c.d. set, "Jimmie Rodgers 1927-1933," is now available for about $25 and has all but one of Rodgers' original songs (they apparently forgot "My Time Ain't Long"). If you could get a used Bear set for $69-79 (dream on!), jump at it. Otherwise, go for the $25 set. But do something, for you need Rodgers in your collection. This guy had the impact on country music that Frank Sinatra had on popular music. Both were giants!"

Complete Recordings of "The Father of Country Music"

James Morris | Jackson Heights, NY United States | 12/18/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This 6-disc set from the Bear Family is a must for any lover of classic country. Jimmie Rodgers, long known as "the father of country music" was the first and the best of the early country crooners.



The tracks with the Carter Family are amazing - reportedly, Rodgers was too weak to play the guitar and Maybelle Carter played for him, imitating his guitar style perfectly. The overdub tracks are superfluous as far as I'm concerned, but a nice inclusion, nonetheless.



The track with Louis Armstrong and his wife Lillian is amazing for the historical meeting of two legends in two genres - the status of Jimmie Rodgers in the world of country is about equal to that of Louis Armstrong in jazz. For some reason I could never quite figure, many jazz aficionados pretend to be above listening to country, and many country music fans look down on jazz. I say good music is good music; good and bad musicians can be found in all musical genres, and I am always delighted when I find records that cross "taboo" boundaries, musically speaking.



I received this set for Christmas in 1996, and have been playing it to death ever since. The price has come down a bit, and I believe the set is now a real bargain, considering the huge slice of country history this boxed album has to offer.



Anyone who fell in love with the soundtrack to "O Brother Where Art Thou" should acquire this taste of real old-timey joy. One of the highlights of that film was Jimmie Rodgers song, "In the Jailhouse Now" and this set contains not one but two different versions of it, both written by the inimitable Jimmie Rodgers.



The oversized book has dozens of photos, complete track and musician listings, and a very well written brief bio of Mr. Rodgers.



And the music! Just a few of my favorites include Blue Yodel #2, My Carolina Sunshine Girl, Waiting For A Train, Any Old Time, Frankie and Johnny, My Rough and Rowdy Ways, My Blue Eyed Jane, Why There's a Tear In My Eye, Peach Pickin' Time In Georgia, Mother Was a Lady and Mississippi Delta Blues. These songs are sure to delight anyone with ears for real country. Turn up the volume a little and let his wonderful sound fill your living room.

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