Search - Various Artists :: Touch My Heart: Tribute to Johnny Paycheck

Johnny Paycheck is smiling in honky-tonk heaven

Thomas D. Hughes | 09/06/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This tribute came about because of the dream of a New Jersey music fan, Fran Liscio. When Liscio learned, back in 2002, that the great country music singer and songwriter Johnny Paycheck was languishing in a nursing home, she hired her favorite alt country icon, Robbie Fulks, to produce a tribute album that would document Paycheck's enormous contribution to country music and also serve as a giant get well card for the ailing legend. Unfortunately, Paycheck died before the project was completed, but this album is so terrific and true to Paycheck's spirit and attitude that I am sure he can hear it all the way up in honky-tonk heaven.



Lloyd Green, the steel player who contributed so memorably to Paycheck's Little Darlin' recordings, is the linchpin of the incredible house band Fulks assembled for this project. Singers run the gamut from Legends (Jones, Bare, Owens, Bush, Gail Davies) to legend namesakes (Bare, Jr. and Williams III) to alt country outlaws such as Fulks himself, Neko Case, and Dallas Wayne, to stars of bluegrass (Larry Cordle and Jim Lauderdale), to gospel (Mavis Staples contributes the unforgettable title track). There's even Jeff Tweedy, joining a last-call version of "Take This Job and Shove It."



Massive kudos go to Liscio, Fulks and Sugar Hill Records for making the dream of this tribute into such an irresistible reality. If all you know about Johnny Paycheck is "Take This Job and Shove It" and a few half-remembered stories of bad behavior, you owe it to yourself to get this album and find out what a giant of country music he really was. And then, go buy yourself some Paycheck recordings! For a true fan of country music, there is little else as satisfying as hearing Johnny Paycheck croon, swoop, moan and soar his way through a song.



If you're already a Paycheck fan, you'll be thrilled to hear his music sung anew in such a loving, faithful, and musically top-notch tribute. Every track on this cd is a winner.



"

Money In The Bank

Anthony S. Prowse | Melbourne, Australia | 03/29/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"To "Henry" from Bakersfield:- There is a very good reason all other reviewers of this album gave it 5 stars.

In one of the best tribute albums ever, Robbie Fulks has gathered together some stellar pickers, a diverse range of great singers and a catalogue of superb Johnny Paycheck songs (or songs he sang). From Neko Case's heart-wrenching rendition of "If I'm Gonna Sink" to Larry Cordles beautiful version of "Old Violin", this album smokes from start to finish. I have most of the original Paycheck versions and this album contains as good as or if not better versions of these great songs. Al Anderson's take on "Someone To Give My Love To" shows just what a great singer and player he is, while Dave Alvin has never sounded as manacing and gritty on "11 Months and 29 Days". Usually on tribute albums you find quite a few tracks which don't live up to or respect the original artist or his/her feeling for the song. Well here, Robbie Fulks has produced an album on which everything (artists, songs, backing band, sound quality and attitude) is just near perfect. I seriously suggest that if you wish to explore the Johnny Paycheck catalogue, you get this album first; not only does it prime you for the "Paycheck experience", but allows you to hear a range of great country artists doing some of their best work. It's not only a mighty introduction to Paycheck but an excellent introduction to the many artists involved. Most tribute albums would make the original artist turn in their grave but this one should allow Johnny Paycheck to Rest in Peace; if he's not already raising Hell in Heaven. Highly Recommended."