Post by gregg on Sept 27, 2007 19:37:06 GMT -5
I guess I found myself wanting more music after listening to "You Better Move On." Anyway, here's a review of CRASH's third LP: TWO SIDES OF CRASH.
AFRAID I’LL WANT TO LOVE HER ONE MORE TIME
This opening song managed to climb to number 22 on the country charts in December of 1972. From its opening use of fiddles, there is no doubt as to which ‘side’ of CRASH we are listening to on this appropriately titled CRASH LP. It should be pointed out that from the chart side of things, it seemed that at the time the record buying public was more interested in the other side of CRASH as the country rock side of the LP yielded two top ten hits. However, you cannot overlook this side as it has some amazing performances from CRASH.
WHAT DOES A LOSER SAY
The second cut on this LP reminds us how well CRASH sings classic country and western (as it was called back then) music. It’s obvious from the title of this one, that it’s not going to be a happy song, but CRASH ‘s vocals make the pain of the song much more easy to endure. If you listen closely to this one, you can hear Hargus “Pig” Robbins do his best Floyd Cramer imitation on this one.
ANOTHER CUP OF MEMORIES
If CRASH ever sang a song filled with more loneliness and heartache than this one, I must have forgotten it. This one is simply full of isolation and despair from its opening to its closing chord - and I love it. Future manage Dale Morris really outdid himself on these lyrics. This song is one that will not easily leave your mind. A MUST HEAR !!
DON’T BE ANGRY
If ever a song evokes images of a smoke filled bar and a jukebox in the corner (not to mention a solitary couple dancing) this one does. It must have been played on several of those jukeboxes as it was a number 33 hit for CRASH in March of 1973. There is something magical about this song, but I can’t figure out what it is unless it’s that unforgettable melody that you find yourself humming long after the song has finished playing.
A LIVING EXAMPLE
“Have you ever loved someone - who loved you as much, but they stopped and you kept loving them ?” What an opening line to this one ? Has anyone not ever been this person ? I didn’t think so. That’s why this song, that closes out the country side, is so amazing. The heartache in CRASH’s vocals is breathtaking. If you think Jack Greene’s “Statute of a Fool” is a classic, you haven’t heard a thing until you listen to this one. From the excellence of Chip Young acoustic strumming to Hargus Robbins’ piano work to Lloyd Green‘s eerie sounding steel guitar, there is nothing I can say that will do this track justice. Oh, did I forget to mention that CRASH would have a tough time outdoing his vocals on this song. This one was written by Ron Chancey. A MASTERPIECE !!!
I’M A WHITE BOY
This was the first (and maybe the last) song that CRASH would sing that was written by the HAG (aka Mere Haggard). It’s the perfect transition between the country and rock sides on this perfectly named LP. The song showcases Billy Sanford’s electric guitar and a trio of expert fiddlers: Buddy Spicher, James Buchanan, and Sammy Dodge. Even the lyrics set the tone for the next four songs found on the LP as CRASH sings: “I like guitars and I like fiddles...”
I’M GONNA KNOCK ON YOUR DOOR
CRASH took this Eddie Hodges remake to the top 5 spot in July of 1972. It’s not a bad song, but why it scored so well on the charts is a bit puzzling to me. It’s a cute child-like song about not giving up too easily on the girl who lives next door. That being said, I can see why the teen star Hodges had a number 12 hit on the song in 1961. Listen to this one with your headphones, and you’ll hear requisite sound effects.
COME A LITTLE BIT CLOSER
This was an international smash for Jay & the Americans in 1963. Even with this song’s enormous popularity, CRASH and producer Ron Chancey again do an incredible job on a re-make of pop classic. The use of the fiddle and steel guitar make this one CRASH CRADDOCK country rock all the way. ESSENTIAL LISTENING !
YOU CAN’T JUDGE A BOOK BY THE COVER
If you didn’t get enough of the Willie Dixon songbook when CRASH covered “Seventh Son”, then you’re in for a treat on CRASH’s version of this one. I can only imagine the look on Ron Chancey’s face as he looked out from the recording studio’s window as CRASH cut this one. This one is the perfect example of what country rock sounds like. A KILLER CUT !
AIN’T NOTHIN’ SHAKIN’
CRASH took this song to the number 10 spot on the country charts in March of 1972. It was his 4th top 10 hit in 13 months. CRASH was in a groove that would continue with chart success until August 0f 1982. Mr. Country Rock (as his next album would proclaim) was here to stay.
Final Thoughts...
This was the third album that Ron Chancey produced for CRASH. It’s hard to imagine in an age where recording artists take 2 years or more for a follow-up record that CRASH and his producer continued to put out quality releases one after another - three amazing albums in a three year period. This one (as do they all) deserves to be re-issued on CD. *****
Gregg
AFRAID I’LL WANT TO LOVE HER ONE MORE TIME
This opening song managed to climb to number 22 on the country charts in December of 1972. From its opening use of fiddles, there is no doubt as to which ‘side’ of CRASH we are listening to on this appropriately titled CRASH LP. It should be pointed out that from the chart side of things, it seemed that at the time the record buying public was more interested in the other side of CRASH as the country rock side of the LP yielded two top ten hits. However, you cannot overlook this side as it has some amazing performances from CRASH.
WHAT DOES A LOSER SAY
The second cut on this LP reminds us how well CRASH sings classic country and western (as it was called back then) music. It’s obvious from the title of this one, that it’s not going to be a happy song, but CRASH ‘s vocals make the pain of the song much more easy to endure. If you listen closely to this one, you can hear Hargus “Pig” Robbins do his best Floyd Cramer imitation on this one.
ANOTHER CUP OF MEMORIES
If CRASH ever sang a song filled with more loneliness and heartache than this one, I must have forgotten it. This one is simply full of isolation and despair from its opening to its closing chord - and I love it. Future manage Dale Morris really outdid himself on these lyrics. This song is one that will not easily leave your mind. A MUST HEAR !!
DON’T BE ANGRY
If ever a song evokes images of a smoke filled bar and a jukebox in the corner (not to mention a solitary couple dancing) this one does. It must have been played on several of those jukeboxes as it was a number 33 hit for CRASH in March of 1973. There is something magical about this song, but I can’t figure out what it is unless it’s that unforgettable melody that you find yourself humming long after the song has finished playing.
A LIVING EXAMPLE
“Have you ever loved someone - who loved you as much, but they stopped and you kept loving them ?” What an opening line to this one ? Has anyone not ever been this person ? I didn’t think so. That’s why this song, that closes out the country side, is so amazing. The heartache in CRASH’s vocals is breathtaking. If you think Jack Greene’s “Statute of a Fool” is a classic, you haven’t heard a thing until you listen to this one. From the excellence of Chip Young acoustic strumming to Hargus Robbins’ piano work to Lloyd Green‘s eerie sounding steel guitar, there is nothing I can say that will do this track justice. Oh, did I forget to mention that CRASH would have a tough time outdoing his vocals on this song. This one was written by Ron Chancey. A MASTERPIECE !!!
I’M A WHITE BOY
This was the first (and maybe the last) song that CRASH would sing that was written by the HAG (aka Mere Haggard). It’s the perfect transition between the country and rock sides on this perfectly named LP. The song showcases Billy Sanford’s electric guitar and a trio of expert fiddlers: Buddy Spicher, James Buchanan, and Sammy Dodge. Even the lyrics set the tone for the next four songs found on the LP as CRASH sings: “I like guitars and I like fiddles...”
I’M GONNA KNOCK ON YOUR DOOR
CRASH took this Eddie Hodges remake to the top 5 spot in July of 1972. It’s not a bad song, but why it scored so well on the charts is a bit puzzling to me. It’s a cute child-like song about not giving up too easily on the girl who lives next door. That being said, I can see why the teen star Hodges had a number 12 hit on the song in 1961. Listen to this one with your headphones, and you’ll hear requisite sound effects.
COME A LITTLE BIT CLOSER
This was an international smash for Jay & the Americans in 1963. Even with this song’s enormous popularity, CRASH and producer Ron Chancey again do an incredible job on a re-make of pop classic. The use of the fiddle and steel guitar make this one CRASH CRADDOCK country rock all the way. ESSENTIAL LISTENING !
YOU CAN’T JUDGE A BOOK BY THE COVER
If you didn’t get enough of the Willie Dixon songbook when CRASH covered “Seventh Son”, then you’re in for a treat on CRASH’s version of this one. I can only imagine the look on Ron Chancey’s face as he looked out from the recording studio’s window as CRASH cut this one. This one is the perfect example of what country rock sounds like. A KILLER CUT !
AIN’T NOTHIN’ SHAKIN’
CRASH took this song to the number 10 spot on the country charts in March of 1972. It was his 4th top 10 hit in 13 months. CRASH was in a groove that would continue with chart success until August 0f 1982. Mr. Country Rock (as his next album would proclaim) was here to stay.
Final Thoughts...
This was the third album that Ron Chancey produced for CRASH. It’s hard to imagine in an age where recording artists take 2 years or more for a follow-up record that CRASH and his producer continued to put out quality releases one after another - three amazing albums in a three year period. This one (as do they all) deserves to be re-issued on CD. *****
Gregg