The latest from Melvin Peckerwood And The Mama's Boys gives a glimpse back in time when a date for a young couple was going out for a burger and a drive-in movie double feature. And like the song lyrics say, sometimes the best show wasn't on the screen!
There are very few drive-in movie theaters left now, but at one time they were quite prevalent. The first drive-in movie theater was in Comanche, Texas in 1921, which of course showed silent movies. They slowly increased in number. In 1947 there was around 155 outdoor theaters in The United States, and by the time of the start of the baby boom era in 1951 there were over 4,000 of them nation wide. With the end of WW II, couples were having families, and the drive in movies offered the ma cheaper alternative than going to indoor theaters. The kids were brought along, no baby sitter was needed, and many of the theaters offered dollar a carload nights, where a car full of adults and kids could get in for a dollar.
Melvin's song deals with a young man thinking he can have his own 'private showing', but the girl thwarts his plans.
It appears Buzzy Carlyle is not only on the mend physically, but mentally as well. He sounds like he's ready to take on the role of mentor to aspiring blues men. His guitar playing is getting better as well, more refined and interesting. Really, the difference from this recording to the first one he did for Big And Tall Records is amazing. His voice has mellowed some, lost some of the grit. It doesn't look like Buzzy's going to be able to ditch the wheel chair. His circulation to his lower extremities was so bad because of his heart issues, that regrettably there was permanent damage done. He can walk a little, but if he has to go any length at all, he has to use the chair. But that doesn't seem to get him down. His mental outlook is very good. The heart issues he had really affected circulation all over his frail body, and luckily there was no permanent damage done to his brain. With the songs he's writing and the mentoring he's doing, the old gray matter is working the best it has in years! As well as all that, he just likes visitors, even if they just want to shoot the breeze and talk over things. Buzzy has become a voracious reader, something he says he did in his younger days, and usually someone who reads a lot knows a lot! He's even starting to read guitar chord tabs, which he hasn't done in years. He can't read or write music, but the man knows his chords and how to use them!
The Cardiologist that took care of him in the hospital is still involved with h is care, as well as involved with the facility he's in. As he has nowhere else to go, and any kin he has left has cut off all contact, the Doctor has arranged with Buzzy's permission to have any profits he makes off his recordings go directly to pay for his room in the facility. As Buzzy doesn't make enough royalties to completely pay for his room (at least not yet) the Doctor has stepped in and pays the balance. It helps that the Doctor is a blues fan, and enjoys helping out an old blues man!
Un Grupo de Mexicali's latest is a ballad about a man who took a lot of abuse from men because of his small stature and unwillingness to stick up for himself. But when a bully makes advances towards his wife, he shows what kind of a man he really is! The chorus section of the song is interesting, and must be a little tricky to get right because of the mis-directed accents and rhythms. But the group has no trouble pulling it off with their usual virtuosity. The song does highlight Hispanic cultural machismo, but the end of the song throws a little surprise to that as well. There is also a few examples of Spanish vulgarity in the song. We aren't prudes here at Big And Tall Records, but it is surprising as we haven't heard it from this group before.
Ada Shymore and The Boogie Men continue to surprise. This is their second collaboration with members of The Noir Players and their arranger Stewart Bitsher, and it continues to be a great combination. Ada and her band are getting better and better at contributing more of their ideas into the songs they perform. They do have some decent lyricists in the group, and with the help from The Noir Players and the leader, the music is getting more diversified and interesting. Scuttlebutt has it that they're all working together on yet other projects, and it'll be interesting to hear where they go next! Ada continues to grow as a soloist. The growth from her first song to the current one is very noticeable and encouraging. We at Big And Tall Records are fortunate and proud to have found so many talented artists!
Since Tugboat Jackson, one of our recording artists, released his song Changes, some of our other artists have expressed interest in making their own versions of the song. The first to do this was Tugboat's fellow Blues man, Sonny Hotchkins.
Sonny's version follows the word close to verbatim, but he changes the tune and background to the words. We still don't understand how Sonny can play the guitar so well when he has to wear splints on both hands due to carpal tunnel and neuropathy, but he sure can! Tugboat has managed to write lyrics that seem to speak to other artists and inspires them. We have other versions from other artists in the works. And Tugboat gives his permission to use his song any time. He's honored that the song has touched his peers in that way.
Big Marv continues with his recording of the great Duke Ellington, this time in a medley of three timeless classics; Caravan, Don't Get Around Much Anymore, It Don't Mean A Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing) Big Marv's interpretations are somewhat mainstream, although he does let loose with the last song.
Delmar Gentry has taken a completely different direction in his life. He was a corporate attorney in Cincinnati, Ohio for years. He owned and excellent reputation and case record, he just up and quit last year, moved to Flagstaff, AZ and bought a horse ranch! He built his own recording studio in an old barn that was no longer being used, and keeps busy with his horses, music, and friends. He is also a big reason that Big And Tall Records is here. He is a founding partner of the company, as well as a recording artist and producer.
So for a man that is so accomplished and apparently well centered in his life, this recording is somewhat of a surprise. Delmar has said next to nothing about his family to us, and this is the first time we're hearing about his father. And Delmar seems a little apprehensive about the upcoming visit his father is making to see him. Well, family member relationships can be complex for sure. And as his father is also an attorney, it's no wonder that there may be some questions and disbelief about why his son would give up the profession to buy a horse ranch, and pursue a recording career! But the city of Cincinnati has a combination of Midwestern and Southern culture and vibe. So it's not that odd for a person from that part of the country to gravitate to one or the other. After all, one of the most well known movie and media cowboys was born in Cincinnati and raised in southern Ohio Scioto County, Roy Rogers!
