JERRY LEE SONGS 2 (CONTINUED)
'MUSIC TO THE MAN'(1973)
-------------------------
The first new song on the 'SESSION' album is this tough bluesy
rocker,featuring plenty great guitar,piano & vocals.
'BABY WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DO'(1973)
---------------------------------------
You couldn't imagine Eddie Cochran & the like cutting this sort
of a pure blues.The fact is is that Lewis is & knows he is a real blues singer,while many others only rubbed shoulders with the
more accessible outskirts of the genre.Many of the British people
backing Jerry Lee on the 'Session' tracks like this are now often
considered the 'first' white bluesmen.Jerry Lee,arguably,was the
first white to perform vocally in a true blues style & no other
white (bar Moon Mullican,Charlie Rich & one or two others) has ever
come close.
This blues was an R&B hit for Jimmy Reed & Lewis' cover is far
more gutbucket blues in style than the original,that's for sure.
'SEA CRUISE'(1973)
-------------------
Jerry Lee turns this Frankie Ford/Huey Smith hit into a tough
blues boogie in a way only Jerry Lee can.
'JUKEBOX'(1973)/'SOMEHOW THE KILLER COMES THROUGH'(1973)
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'JUKEBOX' is a great tough blues original,written for him by
some of the British musicians on the album.Even better still,
though,is 'SOMEHOW THE KILLER COMES THROUGH',which shares a
similar melody to 'JUKEBOX',but even bluesier,& deals with
Jerry Lee subjects (his younger,hardworking days,etc.).It
eventually turns into 'JUKEBOX'.
'NO HEADSTONE ON MY GRAVE'(1973)
----------------------------------
This is pure blues at its greatest.Charlie Rich wrote it & did a
demo at Sun & Jerry Lee had this song in his mind when coming to
the UK to record the 'Session' album - it is one of the finest
tracks from that double album.Jerry Lee goes from a slow blues
tempo to a fast boogie blues tempo at will quite a few times
during the performance.
'PLEDGING MY LOVE'(1973)
-------------------------
Compared with the blues of "No headstone" or "Big boss man",this
seems a country song,but in fact was a big crossover R&B & pop
hit for R&B star Johnny Ace in the '50s.Lewis does a great &
definitive performance of this classic blues ballad.
'SATISFACTION'(1973)
-----------------------
Jerry Lee was in the mood to bring rock back to its roots.On this
version of The Rolling Stones' signature tune,Lewis recreates the
song as a tough,gutbucket blues.
'DUNGAREE DOLL'/'I CAN'T GIVE YOU ANYTHING BUT LOVE'(1973)
-----------------------------------------------------------
Lewis obviously was enjoying himself on these short,excellent
boogified versions of these pop hits.
'TROUBLE IN MIND'(1973)
-----------------------
Undoubtedly,this is one of Jerry Lee's best ever blues vocal performances.The song dates back to the '20s,when R.M Jones wrote it Bertha Hill cut it.Since then,it has become a major
blues standard,cut by Big Bill Broonzy,Sonny Terry & Brownie
McGhee & even Gene Autry.Jerry Lee probably learned it at
Haney's.It remains a favourite of Jerry's,who cut it many
times live.
'GOLDMINE IN THE SKY'(1973)
-----------------------------
As was customary for Jerry in the '70s,one or two spirituals were
always slipped into Lewis' sessions.This is one of the best gospel
performances by Jerry Lee.
'EARLY MORNING RAIN'(1973)
---------------------------
This was the only real country performance on the 'SESSION' album.
It's an excellent version of Gordon Lightfoot's folk standard.
'JACK DANIELS OLD NO. 7'(1973)
------------------------------
Written for Jerry by some of the musicians who contributed to "The
Session" project,this great bluesy soul song,with great backing from
Steve Cropper,really suits The Killer to a T.
'WHY ME LORD?'(1973)
---------------------
Jerry Lee duets with Moetta Hill on this Kris Kristofferson country
gospel track.Like all his previous Kristofferson-written tracks,
Lewis brings great flair & originality to them.
'RIDE ME DOWN EASY'(1973)
--------------------------
The first track recorded for the 1973 country album,"Sometimes a
memory ain't enough",was another excellent country-gospel
performance.
'COLD COLD MORNING LIGHT','THE ALCOHOL OF FAME','TOMORROW'S
TAKING BABY AWAY','MAMA'S HANDS','WHAT MY WOMAN CAN'T DO'(1973)
----------------------------------------------------------------
In between sessions for 2 blues-orientated albums,Jerry cuts some
country tracks.These ones,all pure country,were used on the
"Sometimes a memory..." & "1-40 Country" albums.
'TELL TALE SIGNS'(1973)
-----------------------
Another great country performance,steeped in the tradition of
classic cheating country songs.
'THE MORNING AFTER BABY LET ME DOWN'(1973)
----------------------------------------------
Jerry sings his heart out on this fine emotional country ballad.
'I THINK I NEED TO PRAY'(1973)
-------------------------------
The gospel influence,that is in evidence on most of Jerry Lee's '70s
country albums,is on "Sometimes a memory..." in the form of this
track.
'I HATE GOODBYES'(1973)
------------------------
This was the standout track on the "1-40 Country" album - an
excellent bluegrass-flavoured country track,similar in melody
to "Will the circle be unbroken".
'WHERE WOULD I BE','MY CRICKET & ME','FALLING TO THE BOTTOM'(1973)
-------------------------------------------------------------------
This was more great country music in the Lewis tradition.This session
may also be the last time Lewis was totally country-orientated.From
1972 on,he tended to switch between styles more,just like he did at
Sun & on Smash.
'THE GODS WERE ANGRY WITH ME'(1973)
------------------------------------
Yet another track with a gospelly theme.
'SOMETIMES A MEMORY AIN'T ENOUGH'(1973)
-----------------------------------------
The album title track,another fine country ballad,was a major hit
for Jerry Lee in 1973.This was further evidence that Lewis' country
hit period was going to remain intact for a long time yet.
'BLUER WORDS'(1973)
--------------------
More country balladry.
'HE CAN'T FILL MY SHOES'(1973)
---------------------------------
Yet another major country hit for Jerry Lee,this was another fine
country ballad.
'KEEP ME FROM BLOWING AWAY'(1973)
-----------------------------------
As usual at these '70s sessions,the gospel performance just had to
turn up somewhere.This fine country gospel number closed the
"Sometimes a memory.." album well.
'I'M LEFT,YOU'RE RIGHT,SHE'S GONE(1973)
------------------------------------------
This was another chance for Jerry Lee to improve on a song that Elvis
had recorded before him & that he certainly does.The original Presley
country version was one of the weakest recordings by early Elvis (the
unreleased blues versions Presley did at Sun far outweigh his released
version).Jerry Lee,on the other hand,takes a shine to the country version
of this song & plays it as a country-boogie-rocker.Written by producer
Stan Kesler,who produced this session & probably suggested this song.
'HONKY TONK WINE'(1973)
------------------------
Of a more bluesy nature,was this standout Mack Vickery track.Garth
Brooks would be rehashing Jerry Lee Lewis-style drinking numbers in
the '90s with "Long neck bottle" & the like.
'ROOMFUL OF ROSES'(1973)
-------------------------
This was an old country standard originated by the crooning voiced George
Morgan.However,it was revived by Jerry's cousin Mickey Gilley & this was
Jerry's reason for doing the song.
'MEAT MAN'(1973)
----------------
Mack Vickery always wrote the most suitable songs for Jerry Lee.
This excellent & suggestive blues opens up the "Southern roots"
album very well.
'WHEN A MAN LOVES A WOMAN'(1973)
--------------------------------
Jerry Lee turns in the definitive version of this soul standard.
High in blues & country emotions,Jerry Lee truly conquers the
feel for this sort of country-soul where Percy Sledge (its
originator) couldn't.
'HAUNTED HOUSE'(1973)
----------------------
This excellent version of an R&B standard is one of the Finest
tracks on the "Southern Roots" album.
'BORN TO BE A LOSER'(1973)
---------------------------
A great country ballad with a strong flavour of bayou blues.Once
again,Lewis breaks down the barriers between country & blues.
'JUST A LITTLE BIT'(1973)
---------------------------
Jerry Lee then reincarnates Rosco Gordon's R&B hit & provides a
truly definitive performance.
'HOLD ON,I'M COMING'(1973)
----------------------------
From the "SOUTHERN ROOTS" album.Lewis effortlessly tackles some
funky bluesy soul & really defines the true potential of this
soul standard.
'BLUEBERRY HILL'(1973)
------------------------
Jerry Lee turns in a wonderful interpretation of this old standard.
This was recorded by a wide variety of people:From Louis Armstrong
& Glenn Miller to Gene Autry & Bing Crosby & then onto Fats Domino.
Jerry mixes characteristics of jazz,R&B,country & blues on his
version.
'REVOLUTIONARY MAN'(1973)
--------------------------
A powerful blues-rocker from the pen of Doug Sahm.
'BIG BLUE DIAMONDS'(1973)
---------------------------
More evidence of Lewis' great blues ballad abilities.
'OLD BOURBON STREET CHURCH'(1973)
------------------------------------
The "SOUTHERN ROOTS" collection was opened by a Mack Vickery track
& it is also closed by this excellent oldstyle blues-jazz song,also
written by Vickery.
'ALL OVER HELL & HALF OF GEORGIA'(1973)
------------------------------------------
Lewis storms through this Charlie Daniels country-rocker,turning
it into a gutbucket blues.
'I SURE MISS THOSE GOOD OLD TIMES'(1973)
----------------------------------------
Compare & contrast the 1973 & 1976 versions Jerry Lee recorded of
this.On the '73 versions,it reaks with the blues while on the 1976
version,it's more in line with country balladry.
'CRY'(1973)
------------
Jerry Lee then turns in an excellent version of this Johnny Ray
blues ballad.This has become a major standard & was also recorded
by Ray Charles & Roy Orbison.
'TAKE YOUR TIME'(1973)
------------------------
The country ballad with a feel for the blues is what made Jerry
Lee Lewis successful in the '60s & '70s.This is one of his finest
in that category.Somehow,this great performance wasn't released at
the time.
'RAINING IN MY HEART'(1973)
-----------------------------
No,this is NOT the Buddy Holly pop track - in fact,it couldn't be
a more different performance.This track is similar in style to
1965s "Mathilda",but more intense & soulful.This is yet another
excellent Jerry Lee blues performance.
'MARGIE'(1973)
---------------
Jerry Lee was in the mood to give every type of song he did a blues
treatment at these sessions.Even this oldtime pop standard gets a
fullthroated gutbucket blues delivery.
'A PICTURE FROM LIFE'S OTHER SIDE'(1974)
------------------------------------------
Excellent,gutbucket version of this Hank Williams gospel track.One
of the standout tracks on the "1-40 country" album.
'I FORGOT MORE ABOUT YOU THAN HE'LL EVER KNOW'(1974)
-----------------------------------------------------
This country ballad also appeared on "1-40 Country".
'SHAKE,RATTLE & ROLL'(1975)
-----------------------------
This was a Big Joe Turner R&B song from 1954 that C&W singer Bill Haley
covered & hit big with on the pop charts.This song was one of the first
big rock 'n' roll hits,in Haley's hands.However,Jerry Lee's version is
in the blues boogie tradition & owes a lot more to the Big Joe Turner
original.An excellent performance - Jerry Lee at his rockin' best.
'I WAS SORTA WONDERIN''(1975)
-----------------------------
A Moon Mullican song from his King years.This sort of material is ideal
for Jerry Lee.The song has strong blues & country stylistics & Moon was
an artist who (like Jerry Lee) could feel at home on any style.
'HOUSE OF BLUE LIGHTS'(1975)
----------------------------
An excellent version of a blues boogie standard.Written by Freddie Slack
& Don Raye in the '40s,it would be a big hit for Jazz singer Ella Mae
Morse,backed by Slack on piano.It was also covered by Merrill E. Moore
& Chuck Miller.Jerry Lee also turned in great versions of this in 1986
& 1995.
'KNEE DEEP IN LOVING YOU'(1975)
---------------------------------
A great blues,that went unreleased for years.While Lewis' original
remained canned,The Oak Ridge Boys,a gospel turned secular group,cut a
version that became a hit.Jerry's version was far superior,though.
'I CAN HELP','SLIPPIN' & SLIDIN','FROM A JACK TO A KING'(1975)
---------------------------------------------------------------
Jerry Lee's jam sessions have produced some amazing,freewheeling non-
commercial work.This is one great example from 1975.'I can help' was a
big hit for country-rocker Billy Swan & Lewis tears through it as a fast
blues.'Slippin' & Slidin'' was a '50s rocker by Little Richard & Jerry
Lee's version turns it into a great blues.'From a Jack to a King' was an
old Ned Miller hit & Jerry turns in 2 great versions,mixing blues & country.
'TENNESSEE SATURDAY NIGHT'(1977)
---------------------------------
Jerry Lee Lewis' boogie side at its best.Originally a hit for Red Foley.
'ARKANSAS SEESAW'(1977)
------------------------
Excellent blues-country-rocker from Lewis' last Mercury album.
'BEFORE THE NIGHT IS OVER'(1977)
----------------------------------
This song was typical of the Jerry Lee's Mercury blues style in the late
1970s.The style would also prove important on Elektra.Featured on 'Keeps
rockin' album.
'PEE WEE'S PLACE'(1977)
------------------------
The last known track Jerry Lee cut at Mercury - an excellent
boogie styled blues that set the standard for the Elektra,MCA
& other albums from the 1980s & 1990s.
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