from the KTEP Folk Fury broadcast of 28 Feb. 2009
Zoomer Roberts: vocal and harmonica
Buddy Winston: guitar
Doug Neal: bass
Zoomer here. I usually include some lesser-known items in tribute shows. This is one of the songs Buddy Holly recorded in Nashville for Decca in 1956. It was also done by Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen in the early 1970s. It's not a great song, but it's fun. Originally, the line "brother, there just ain't no ifs" appeared in three consecutive verses, and I thought once was plenty, so I did a minor re-write wherein Annie drives your car off of a cliff and reeks of liquor and illicit sex the next morning. Another line -- "when you're at the morgue identifyin' the stiff / you'll know that Annie was a-workin' on the midnight shift" -- was left on the cutting room floor.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Everyday
from the KTEP Folk Fury broadcast of 28 Feb. 2009
Zoomer Roberts: vocal and harmonica
Buddy Winston: guitar
Doug Neal: bass
This should've been titled "Every Day." I just want you to know that I know that. Typically, we didn't try to sound like the record, but we held on to the wonderful bridge, each chord a fourth above the previous one, and the penultimate chord a semitone above the dominant. The same progression played backwards is the basis for "Hey Joe" by the Leaves and/or Jimi Hendrix.
Zoomer Roberts: vocal and harmonica
Buddy Winston: guitar
Doug Neal: bass
This should've been titled "Every Day." I just want you to know that I know that. Typically, we didn't try to sound like the record, but we held on to the wonderful bridge, each chord a fourth above the previous one, and the penultimate chord a semitone above the dominant. The same progression played backwards is the basis for "Hey Joe" by the Leaves and/or Jimi Hendrix.
Peggy Sue Got Married
from the KTEP Folk Fury broadcast of 28 Feb. 2009
Zoomer Roberts: vocal and harmonica
Buddy Winston: guitar
Doug Neal: bass
Before embarking on what would be his last tour, Buddy recorded some voice-and-guitar demos of his latest compositions, including this sequel to "Peggy Sue." Coral records overdubbed additional accompaniment and issued the songs scant months after his death. Later on, Holly's one-time producer, Norman Petty, re-dubbed the tapes -- this time with the Fireballs providing the backing. Still later, the Hollies produced their own hybrid version of this song, while Buddy's original recording surfaced in a movie of the same name.
Lyrically, not much is going on here -- but it must be remembered that it was written by a young man for an even younger audience. It's doubtful that Buddy envisioned this song being sung by old people half a century after the fact!
Zoomer Roberts: vocal and harmonica
Buddy Winston: guitar
Doug Neal: bass
Before embarking on what would be his last tour, Buddy recorded some voice-and-guitar demos of his latest compositions, including this sequel to "Peggy Sue." Coral records overdubbed additional accompaniment and issued the songs scant months after his death. Later on, Holly's one-time producer, Norman Petty, re-dubbed the tapes -- this time with the Fireballs providing the backing. Still later, the Hollies produced their own hybrid version of this song, while Buddy's original recording surfaced in a movie of the same name.
Lyrically, not much is going on here -- but it must be remembered that it was written by a young man for an even younger audience. It's doubtful that Buddy envisioned this song being sung by old people half a century after the fact!
Bluebirds Over the Mountain
from the KTEP Folk Fury broadcast of 28 Feb. 2009
Zoomer Roberts: vocal and harmonica
Buddy Winston: guitar
Doug Neal: bass
For whatever reason, I heard the Beach Boys' version of this song before I heard Ersel Hickey's original or Ritchie Valens' cover version. Melodically, it's quite catchy, so we slowed it down a little, added a couple of chords, and played up its strengths. The recurring "bluebirds over the mountain / seagulls over the sea" paints a lovely picture. Feel the sea breeze on your face while you nurse your broken teenage heart! Valens -- dead at age 17 -- never got too old to sing this.
Zoomer Roberts: vocal and harmonica
Buddy Winston: guitar
Doug Neal: bass
For whatever reason, I heard the Beach Boys' version of this song before I heard Ersel Hickey's original or Ritchie Valens' cover version. Melodically, it's quite catchy, so we slowed it down a little, added a couple of chords, and played up its strengths. The recurring "bluebirds over the mountain / seagulls over the sea" paints a lovely picture. Feel the sea breeze on your face while you nurse your broken teenage heart! Valens -- dead at age 17 -- never got too old to sing this.
The Preacher and the Bear
from the KTEP Folk Fury broadcast of 28 Feb. 2009
Zoomer Roberts: vocal
Buddy Winston: guitar
Doug Neal: bass
Although The Big Bopper wrote several successful songs, he got this one from Phil Harris, who salvaged it from traditional sources. It was a good vehicle for the Bopper's manic delivery. We patterned our version after that of Jerry Reed, who was also manic, but more accessibly so. There are a number of old songs about preachers hunting on the Lord's Day, and this one contains elements of "signifyin' " which is widespread in the African-American oral tradition and probably a precursor of rap. In my case, country + rap = crap, but it was fun!
Zoomer Roberts: vocal
Buddy Winston: guitar
Doug Neal: bass
Although The Big Bopper wrote several successful songs, he got this one from Phil Harris, who salvaged it from traditional sources. It was a good vehicle for the Bopper's manic delivery. We patterned our version after that of Jerry Reed, who was also manic, but more accessibly so. There are a number of old songs about preachers hunting on the Lord's Day, and this one contains elements of "signifyin' " which is widespread in the African-American oral tradition and probably a precursor of rap. In my case, country + rap = crap, but it was fun!
Monday, November 24, 2008
I Fought the Law
Performed by Avalanche
Zoomer Roberts: vocal & lead guitar
Wynn Pinkham: pedal steel guitar
Mike Bennett: bass
Bill Wilson: drums
Beverly Roberts: harmony vocal
recorded 9 December 1978
Whiskey River East, Horizon City, Texas
I had second thoughts about posting this beer-soaked track, which teeters precariously on the brink of bar band bedlam, but drummer Bill Wilson died last night, and when one of us dies, it redefines everything for those who are left behind. This recording has, to me, become as beautiful as burnished bronze -- a portrait of a time, and a place, and an aggregation that are no more. A moment frozen in amber. The drummer throws his sticks into the air, and there they remain suspended forever, never to return to their owner's hands...
Zoomer Roberts: vocal & lead guitar
Wynn Pinkham: pedal steel guitar
Mike Bennett: bass
Bill Wilson: drums
Beverly Roberts: harmony vocal
recorded 9 December 1978
Whiskey River East, Horizon City, Texas
I had second thoughts about posting this beer-soaked track, which teeters precariously on the brink of bar band bedlam, but drummer Bill Wilson died last night, and when one of us dies, it redefines everything for those who are left behind. This recording has, to me, become as beautiful as burnished bronze -- a portrait of a time, and a place, and an aggregation that are no more. A moment frozen in amber. The drummer throws his sticks into the air, and there they remain suspended forever, never to return to their owner's hands...
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
My Blue Heaven
Bent Fender & the Moonglows
Zoomer Roberts: vocal, guitar
Tony Custer: piano
Bill Owen: bass
recorded 1973
Zoomer Roberts: vocal, guitar
Tony Custer: piano
Bill Owen: bass
recorded 1973
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Working Man Blues
Bent Fender & the Moonglows
Zoomer Roberts: vocal, guitar
Tony Custer: piano
Bill Owen: bass
recorded 1973
Zoomer Roberts: vocal, guitar
Tony Custer: piano
Bill Owen: bass
recorded 1973
Saturday, October 11, 2008
The Great Titanic
Frank Dove and The Sundowners
Recorded at the Melody Ranch, circa 1984
Zoomer Roberts: lead guitar, lead vocal
Frank Dove: rhythm guitar, harmony vocal
Bill Radcliff: pedal steel
Bobby Napier: fiddle
Manny Flores: bass
Rick Lasino: drums
Recorded at the Melody Ranch, circa 1984
Zoomer Roberts: lead guitar, lead vocal
Frank Dove: rhythm guitar, harmony vocal
Bill Radcliff: pedal steel
Bobby Napier: fiddle
Manny Flores: bass
Rick Lasino: drums
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Another Sad and Lonely Night
Recorded July, 1996
KTEP broadcast
Zoomer Roberts: lead vocal
Gene Keller: guitar & vocal
Ophelia Botham: mandolin & vocal
KTEP broadcast
Zoomer Roberts: lead vocal
Gene Keller: guitar & vocal
Ophelia Botham: mandolin & vocal
Never To Be Forgotten
Recorded July, 1996
KTEP broadcast
Zoomer Roberts: lead vocal
Gene Keller: guitar & vocal
Ophelia Botham: mandolin & vocal
KTEP broadcast
Zoomer Roberts: lead vocal
Gene Keller: guitar & vocal
Ophelia Botham: mandolin & vocal
Love's Made A Fool of You
Recorded July, 1996
KTEP broadcast
Zoomer Roberts: lead vocal
Gene Keller: guitar & vocal
Ophelia Botham: mandolin & vocal
KTEP broadcast
Zoomer Roberts: lead vocal
Gene Keller: guitar & vocal
Ophelia Botham: mandolin & vocal
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Deep Elem Blues
Recorded 1997 at the Chamizal National Memorial
Zoomer Roberts: vocal
Buddy Winston: guitar
Steve Smith: mandolin
Glenn Leffler: bass
Eric Hutson: drums
Deep Elem (Elm) was a disreputable area in South Dallas. To my knowledge, this catchy song about the thrills and woes to be found there was first sung by the Shelton Brothers in the 1930s. The inspiration for this version was a Sun record by Jerry Lee Lewis. The last verse was borrowed from "Texas Hambone Blues":
Well I'm goin' down to Cowtown just to get my hambone boiled
Because them New York City women, they done let my hambone spoil!
I once knew an old warehouse hand who recalled walking through Deep Elem during the Depression. He heard a voice call out from a second-story window: "Hey, white boy! Fo' a dollah, I takes you on!" He kept walking -- or at least that's what he told me, thirty five years after the fact.
If you go down in Deep Elem, put your money in your socks
Them redheads in Deep Elem'll blow a man out on the rocks!
Somewhere between the original VHS tape and this link, the MP3 file got reduced to a really crummy bitrate. I'll upgrade it one of these days, but for now, this will have to do.
Look here, pretty baby, I said you sure look good to me
But when you go down in Deep Elem lit up like a Christmas tree
Lawdy, Mama! Your Daddy's got them Deep Elem Blues!
Why don't you listen to me, Sugar? Your Daddy's got them Deep Elem Blues!
Zoomer Roberts: vocal
Buddy Winston: guitar
Steve Smith: mandolin
Glenn Leffler: bass
Eric Hutson: drums
Deep Elem (Elm) was a disreputable area in South Dallas. To my knowledge, this catchy song about the thrills and woes to be found there was first sung by the Shelton Brothers in the 1930s. The inspiration for this version was a Sun record by Jerry Lee Lewis. The last verse was borrowed from "Texas Hambone Blues":
Well I'm goin' down to Cowtown just to get my hambone boiled
Because them New York City women, they done let my hambone spoil!
I once knew an old warehouse hand who recalled walking through Deep Elem during the Depression. He heard a voice call out from a second-story window: "Hey, white boy! Fo' a dollah, I takes you on!" He kept walking -- or at least that's what he told me, thirty five years after the fact.
If you go down in Deep Elem, put your money in your socks
Them redheads in Deep Elem'll blow a man out on the rocks!
Somewhere between the original VHS tape and this link, the MP3 file got reduced to a really crummy bitrate. I'll upgrade it one of these days, but for now, this will have to do.
Look here, pretty baby, I said you sure look good to me
But when you go down in Deep Elem lit up like a Christmas tree
Lawdy, Mama! Your Daddy's got them Deep Elem Blues!
Why don't you listen to me, Sugar? Your Daddy's got them Deep Elem Blues!
We Could
The Lariat Cowboys
Zoomer Roberts: guitar & vocal
Jimmy Smith: fiddle
Tony Quero: bass
Mark Kays: drums
I always associate this song with Little Jimmy Dickens. Although he is primarily known for his novelty songs, Dickens was (and is) a fine ballad singer. "We Could" is somewhat of an oddity: it has the construction of a "weeper," but the lyrics are about love gone right. I used to sing this for couples who were celebrating their anniversary with a night of dancing.
Zoomer Roberts: guitar & vocal
Jimmy Smith: fiddle
Tony Quero: bass
Mark Kays: drums
I always associate this song with Little Jimmy Dickens. Although he is primarily known for his novelty songs, Dickens was (and is) a fine ballad singer. "We Could" is somewhat of an oddity: it has the construction of a "weeper," but the lyrics are about love gone right. I used to sing this for couples who were celebrating their anniversary with a night of dancing.
Friday, August 22, 2008
Every Fool Has A Rainbow
The Lariat Cowboys
Zoomer Roberts: guitar & vocal
Jimmy Smith: fiddle
Tony Quero: bass
Mark Kays: drums
Zoomer Roberts: guitar & vocal
Jimmy Smith: fiddle
Tony Quero: bass
Mark Kays: drums
Thursday, July 17, 2008
How High The Moon
from the album "Jerry, Buddy & Zoomer Volume 1"
Jerry Boyer: vocal
Buddy Winston: guitar
Zoomer Roberts: mandolin & bass
Jerry Boyer: vocal
Buddy Winston: guitar
Zoomer Roberts: mandolin & bass
When I Stop Dreaming
from the album "Jerry, Buddy & Zoomer Volume 1"
Jerry Boyer: lead vocal
Buddy Winston: guitar, harmony vocal
Zoomer Roberts: mandolin, bass, harmony vocal
Jerry Boyer: lead vocal
Buddy Winston: guitar, harmony vocal
Zoomer Roberts: mandolin, bass, harmony vocal
I'm An Old Cowhand (from the Rio Grande)
from the album "Jerry, Buddy & Zoomer Volume 1"
Buddy Winston: guitar, lead vocal
Zoomer Roberts: guitar, bass, steel guitar, harmony vocal
Jerry Boyer: harmony vocal
Buddy Winston: guitar, lead vocal
Zoomer Roberts: guitar, bass, steel guitar, harmony vocal
Jerry Boyer: harmony vocal
Love Me Tender
from the album "Jerry, Buddy & Zoomer Volume 1"
Jerry Boyer: vocal
Buddy Winston: guitar
Zoomer Roberts: guitar & bass
arranged by Zoomer Roberts
Jerry Boyer: vocal
Buddy Winston: guitar
Zoomer Roberts: guitar & bass
arranged by Zoomer Roberts
Take Him In
from the album "Jerry, Buddy & Zoomer Volume 1"
Buddy Winston: guitars, banjo, lead vocal
Zoomer Roberts: mandolin, dobro, standup bass, harmony vocal
Jerry Boyer: harmony vocal
When we recorded this at Scott Martin's studio, we couldn't nail the acapella part at the end. The meter was running and it was our dime. Finally, we just did a slow fade from the start of the banjo solo to the end of the last verse. I've reversed the fade-out and grafted the intended ending from a rehearsal tape. This involved some speed and pitch adjustments, among other things. It's not seamless, but at least the original concept has been realized -- 26 years after the fact.
Buddy Winston: guitars, banjo, lead vocal
Zoomer Roberts: mandolin, dobro, standup bass, harmony vocal
Jerry Boyer: harmony vocal
When we recorded this at Scott Martin's studio, we couldn't nail the acapella part at the end. The meter was running and it was our dime. Finally, we just did a slow fade from the start of the banjo solo to the end of the last verse. I've reversed the fade-out and grafted the intended ending from a rehearsal tape. This involved some speed and pitch adjustments, among other things. It's not seamless, but at least the original concept has been realized -- 26 years after the fact.
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