ROCKABILLY
VA - Rock-A-Billy Cowboys [2012] (10 x CDs)
Issued in 2012 by Documents / Intense Media, Rock-A-Billy Cowboys gathers a huge sweep of country-rooted rockabilly recordings into a set that feels less like a formal anthology and more like a late-night regional radio broadcast from the 1950s. Spread across ten discs, the collection follows the point where country music, western swing, hillbilly boogie, and early rock and roll were still overlapping rather than separated into fixed styles.
The atmosphere arrives quickly. Slapped bass, sharp electric guitar, train-beat rhythms, and fast-moving vocals carry most of the momentum, but beneath the energy there is still a strong country foundation. Many of these recordings come from small labels and local scenes, which gives the set a rough immediacy that polished rock and roll compilations often lose.
What makes the box hold together is the consistency of feel. Unknown artists sit beside recognised names without disrupting the flow. One track leans toward honky-tonk, another toward straight rockabilly, then a novelty number or dancehall rocker appears, but the sequencing keeps the sound connected. Rather than tracing a clean history, the set captures a living musical environment where styles were still shifting from session to session. Repetition becomes part of the appeal. Similar rhythms, echo-heavy vocals, and twanging guitar lines return again and again, but each performance carries slight differences in phrasing and tone. Those details accumulate over time.
Left to play, the collection becomes immersive rather than archival. It captures the roadside clubs, small studios, jukebox singles, and regional radio sound that helped shape early rock and roll before the music hardened into something more commercial and defined. (B)
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Track lists
CD01
1 Johnny Cash - Cry Cry Cry 2:27
2 Cliff Johnson - Go 'way Hound Dog 2:10
3 Al Terry - Watchdog 2:07
4 Johnny Horton - Honky Tonk Hardwood Floor 2:22
5 Pee Wee King - Catty Town 2:11
6 Stonewall Jackson - Smoke Along The Track 2:38
7 Gene Davis - Mule Skinner Blues 2:04
8 George Jones - Who Shot Sam 2:22
9 Carl Phillips - Salty Dog Blues 1:39
10 Maddox Bros. & Rose - Ugly And Slouchy 2:15
11 Van Bros. - Servant Of Love 1:56
12 Marvin Rainwater - Mr. Blues 2:29
13 Sammy Masters - Flat Feet 2:05
14 Emery Blades - Look What You Done To Me 2:37
15 Bill Browning & The Echo Valley Boys - Breaking Hearts 2:20
16 Hank Williams - Move It On Over 2:46
17 Don Gibson - Sweet Sweet Girl 2:09
18 Bobby Pedrick Jr. - White Bucks And Saddle Shoes 2:09
19 Bobby Lord - Everybody's Rockin' But Me 2:12
20 Strikes - I Don't Want To Cry Over You 2:02
21 Hank Thompson - Rockin' In The Congo 2:23
22 Autry Inman - Be Bop Baby 2:18
23 Roy Moss - You're My Big Baby Now 2:25
24 Curtis Gordon - Rocky Road Of Love 2:23
25 Paris Brothers - This Is It 1:53
CD02
1 Marty Robbins - Mean Mama Blues (1955) 2:16
2 Ernie Howlin & The Blue Shadow Boys - Tally Ho (1957) 2:23
3 Marvin Rainwater - Baby Don't Go (1958) 2:09
4 Brenda Lee - Jambalaya (1956) 2:09
5 George 'Thumper' Jones - Rock It (1956) 2:14
6 George & Earl - Done Gone (1956) 2:14
7 Ray Parks - You're Gonna Have to Ball That's All (1957) 2:13
8 Johnny Horton - I'm Coming Home (1957) 2:06
9 Jimmy Lloyd - Where the Rio Rosa Flows (1957) 2:32
10 Johnny Cash - Get Rhythm (1956) 2:14
11 Don Gibson - I'm Movin' On (1959) 2:11
12 Dave Brockman - Feel Sorry for Me (1957) 2:12
13 Jerry Reed - I'm Stuck (1956) 2:44
14 Tennessee Ernie Ford & Ella Mae Morse - False Hearted Girl (1952) 2:14
15 Jimmy & Johnny - I Can't Find the Doorknob (1958) 2:09
16 Jimmy Newman - Bop A Hula (1958) 1:58
17 Webb Pierce - Teenage Boogie (1956) 2:23
18 Mac Curtis - Granddaddy's Rockin' (1956) 2:05
19 Sid King & The Five Strings - Sag Drag and Fall (1955) 2:19
20 George 'Thumper' Jones - White Lightnin' (1959) 2:48
21 Jack Guthrie - Oakie Boogie (1947) 2:27
22 Curtis Gordon - Rompin' and Stompin' (1953) 2:42
23 Louvin Brothers - Freight Train Boogie (1959) 2:55
24 Joyce Poynter - Chili Dippin' Baby (1957) 2:28
25 Sonny James - Uh Uh Mm (1957) 2:10
CD03
1 Johnny Cash - All Over Again (1958) 2:09
2 George "Thumper" Jones (1956) - How Come It (1956) 2:23
3 Marty Robbins - Tennesee Toddy (1955) 3:18
4 Tennessee Ernie Ford - Kissin' Bug Boogie (1951) 2:06
5 Marvin Rainwater - Hot And Cold (1956) 2:09
6 Arnold Parker - Find A New Woman (1956) 2:05
7 Webb Pierce - I Ain't Never (1959) 1:56
8 Hal Andrews - Brown Eyed Girl (1959) 2:24
9 Johnny Horton - Honky Tonk Man (1956) 2:14
10 Glenn Barber - Ice Water (1954) 2:28
11 Joe Kozak - Hillibilly Rock (1959) 1:51
12 Little Billy Stoltz & The Stoltz Bros. - Rock And Roll Riot (1958) 1:59
13 The Rhythm Kings - Billy Boy (1960) 2:40
14 Bill Reeder - Till I Waltz Again With You (1960) 2:40
15 Rhythm Jesters - Rock To The Music (1956) 2:14
16 Lefty Frizzell - You're Humbuggin' Me (1958) 2:29
17 Marty Robbins - Pretty Mama (1955) 2:44
18 Red Foley - Crazy Little Guitar Man (1958) 2:15
19 Wayne Raney - Shake Baby Shake (1957) 2:07
20 Jimmy Murphy - Sixteen Tons Rock 'N' Roll (1956) 2:13
21 Johnny Horton - I'm A One Woman Man (1956) 2:00
22 Curtis Gordon - Sittin' On Top (1957) 1:51
23 Johnny Cash - Mean Eyed Cat (1955) 2:30
24 Pico Pete - Hot Dog (1956) 2:06
25 Tennessee Ernie Ford - The Shot Gun Boogie (1950) 2:37
CD04
1 Johnny Horton - Cherokee Boogie 2:30
2 Ralph Pruitt - Hey Mr. Porter 2:29
3 Art Buchanan - Time Will Tell 1:59
4 Marty Robbins - Long Tall Sally 2:10
5 Big Jeff & The Radio Playboys - Juke Box Boogie 2:28
6 Bill Browning & The Echo Valley Boys - Hula Rock 2:06
7 Bunny Paul - History 2:06
8 Hawkshaw Hawkins - Pan American 3:00
9 Billy Martin - If It's Lovin' That You Want 1:44
10 Penny West & The Lucky Penny Trio - Needle In A Haystack 2:15
11 Johnny McAdams - Is There No Love For Me Love? 2:37
12 Jimmy Boyd - Crazy Mixed-Up Blues 2:02
13 Ray Hudson & Western Rhytmaires - The Blues Walked Away 1:56
14 Hank Spurling - Box Car Blues 2:11
15 Rocking Martin - All Because Of You 2:13
16 Don Winters - Pretty Moon 1:59
17 Johnny Horton - Honky Tonk Mind 2:15
18 Sonny Cole & His Rhythm Roamers - I Dreamed I Was Elvis 2:18
19 Corky Jones - Hot Dog 2:18
20 Emery Blades - I Feel Like A Million 2:29
21 Sid Silver - Bumble Rumble 2:00
22 Lee Slaugghters & The Cumberland Playboys - Rock 'n' Roll World 2:05
23 Randy Spangler & The Country Cats - Rock 'n' Roll Baby 2:22
24 Marty Robbins - Maybelline 2:33
25 Bill Floyd - Hey Boy 2:41
CD05
1 Bob Luman - Blue Days Black Nights 2:15
2 Leon & Carlos - Rock Everybody 2:01
3 Tom James - Track Down Baby 2:43
4 Tommy Spurlin - Heart Throb 2:12
5 Don Head - Goin' Strong 2:54
6 Cliff Davis & His Kentucky Playboys - Rocky Road Blues 2:09
7 Curtis Gordon - Mobile Alabama 1:57
8 Tom James - Hey Baby 2:41
9 Buck Trail - The Blues Keep Knocking 1:46
10 Howard Chandler - Wampus Cat 2:47
11 Tillman Franks & His Rainbow Boys - Hot Rod Shotgun Boogie 2 2:54
12 Bill Browning & The Echo Valley Boys - I'll Pay You Back 2:43
13 Charlie Brown - Have You Heard The Gossip 2:36
14 Curtis Gordon - Play The Music Louder 2:14
15 Bobby Roberts & The Bad Habits - Cravin' 2:47
16 Skip Goodspeed - Only Two - Me And You 2:12
17 Curley Langley & His Western All Stars - Linda Lou 2:49
18 Luke McDaniel - Whoa Boy 2:29
19 Norma Beasler - Greenback Dollar 2:25
20 Billy Jack Wills - All She Wants To Do Is Rock 2:18
21 Gayle Griffith - Rockin' And Knockin' 2:15
22 Joe Hudgins - Where'd You Stay Last Night 2:32
23 Charlie Adams - Cattin' Around 2:25
24 Jimmy Manship - Teenage Sweetie 2:23
25 Billy Hall - Move Over Rover 1:50
CD06
1 Burt Kline - Shove Off Short Stuff 2:26
2 Don Hager - Liza Jane Bop 2:12
3 Tillman Franks & His Rainbow Boys - Hi-Tone Poppa 2:51
4 Curley Langley & His Western All Stars - Rockin' And Rollin' 2:25
5 Jimmy & Johnny - Sweet Love On My Mind 2:11
6 Paul Durham - Mean Woman Married Man Blues 2:15
7 Carl Smith - Go Boy Go 2:08
8 Rex & Herb - Come Back Big Bertha 2:22
9 Lee Emerson - I Cried Like A Baby 2:16
10 Vernon Stewart - Mean, Mean Baby 2:29
11 Rusty Howard - No Help Wanted 2:14
12 Kenny Brown & Arkansas Ramblers - Throw 'A Little Wood On' The Fire 2:39
13 Faron Young - Honey Stop 2:10
14 Jerry Reed - When I Found You 2:29
15 Skeets McDonald - You Better Not Go 2:37
16 Louvin Brothers - Cash On The Barrelhead 2:41
17 Rose Maddow - My Little Baby 1:55
18 Tennesee Ernie Ford - Smokey Mountain Boogie 2:40
19 Tommy Collins - Black Cat 2:13
20 Farmer Boys - Cool Down Mama 2:36
21 Jean Shepard - He's My Baby 2:08
22 Hank Thompson - Lost John 2:18
23 Cliffie Stone - Jump Rope Boogie 2:40
24 Jimmie Heap - Sebbin 'Come Elebbin' 2:46
25 Faron Young - When it Rains it Pours 2:31
CD07
1 Hank Thompson - A Six Pack To Go 2:10
2 Dub Dickerson - My Gal Gertie 2:15
3 Jerry Reed - Mr. Whiz 2:26
4 Faron Young - I Can't Dance 2:21
5 Bob Luman - Everybody's Talkin' 2:07
6 Tennessee Ernie Ford - Hey Mr. Cotton Picker 2:23
7 Skeets McDonald - Don't Push Me Too Far 2:11
8 Louvin Brothers - Red Hen Hop 2:40
9 Rose Maddox - Move It On Over 2:16
10 Farmers Boys - My Baby Done Left Me 2:39
11 Jean Shepard - Jeopardy 2:07
12 Ferlin Husky - Draggin' The River 2:09
13 Milo Twins - Baby Buggie Boogie 2:14
14 Jimmy Heap - Go Ahead On 1:57
15 Merle Travis - Merle's Boogie Woogie 3:04
16 Ramblin' Jimmie Dolan - Juke Box Boogie 2:08
17 Gene O'Quin - Too Hot To Handle 2:14
18 Sonny James - You've Got The Touch 2:01
19 Merle Kilgore - Everybody Needs A Little Loving 2:05
20 Hank Thompson - Deep Elem 2:32
21 Gene Henslee - Diggin' 'n' Datin' 2:28
22 Wally Lewis - Lover Boy 2:25
23 Faron Young - Last Night At A Party 1:54
24 Tennessee Ernie Ford - Blackberry Boogie 2:30
25 Jerry Reed - You Make It They Take It 2:34
CD08
1 Billy Briggs - Chew Tabacco Rag 2:43
2 Hawkshaw Hawkins - Rebound 2:10
3 Faron Young - Alone With You 1:58
4 Merle Kilgore - Ernie 1:46
5 Skeets McDonald - You're There 2:01
6 Al Jones - Loretta 1:59
7 Gene Henslee - Rockin' Baby 2:02
8 Merle Travis - Louisiana Boogie 2:48
9 Bob Luman - Make Up Your Mind Baby 2:30
10 Dick Banks - Dirty Day 2:09
11 Junior Thompson - Raw Deal 2:14
12 Jerry Lee Lewis - End Of The Road 1:50
13 Jerry Reed - Rockin' In Bagdad 2:55
14 Slim Rhodes - Gonna Romp And Stomp 2:21
15 Miller Sisters - Ten Cats Down 2:21
16 Johnny Cash - I Walk The Line 2:45
17 Ray Scott - Boppin' Wig Wam Willie 2:18
18 Hayden Thompson - I Love My Baby 2:12
19 Billy Briggs - Chew Tabacoo Rag No. 2 2:44
20 Johnny Tate - Bop With Me Baby 1:49
21 Jimmy Martin - Rock The Bop 2:16
22 Billie High - Wondering If You Still Care 1:55
23 Jerry Lee Lewis - Crazy Arms 2:46
24 Bob Luman - All Night Long 1:42
25 Merle Kilgore - Ride Jesse Ride 1:54
CD09
1 Tommy Jackson - Flat Top Box 2:09
2 Rusty Draper - Pink Cadillac 2:42
3 Jimmie Martin Combo - Red Bobby Sox 1:58
4 Carl E. Tyndall - Hillbilly Rock 2:30
5 Dale Vaughn & The Starnotes - High Steppin' 2:09
6 Rudy Thacker - Black Train 1:53
7 Buddy Wright - You Let The Moon Break Your Heart 2:17
8 Mike Miller - Don't Mess Up My Hair 2:14
9 Frank Starr - The Dirty Bird Song 2:11
10 Tony & Jackie Lamie & The Swing Kings - Wore To A Frazzel 2:54
11 Ray Taylor - Clocking My Card 2:24
12 Hank Rector - I'm Gonna Let You Go 1:58
13 Bobby Rutledge - Go Slow Fatso 2:07
14 Hunter Watts - Wild Man Rock 1:57
15 String Breakers - Big City 2:04
16 Avery Monte - Grandpa's Twist 2:11
17 Lynn Billingsley - Childhood Boogie 2:17
18 Art Ontario Buchanan - Wiggle Walkin' Boogie 2:09
19 Chuck Atha - Ooh - Eee (What You Do To Me) 1:57
20 Lonnie Mullins - It Was You 2:04
21 Johnny Watson - Come To The Party 3:03
22 Al Urban - Gonna Be Better Times 2:23
23 Rusty Draper - Tiger Lilly 2:23
24 Bobby Hodge - Gonna Take My Guitar 2:37
25 Norman Bullock - Lies Lies Lies 2:12
CD10
1 Don Boots - Big Foot Annie 2:25
2 Tony & Jackie Lamie & The Swing Kings - Sunset Blues 3:06
3 Wibby Lee - I'm Lost Without Your Love 2:13
4 Rusty Draper - Buzz Buzz Buzz 2:08
5 Grover Gaddie - High Steppin' Daddy 2:01
6 Pete Nantz - Juke Box Pearl 2:25
7 Harley Gabbard & Aubrey Holt - Hey Baby 2:36
8 Speck & Doyle Wright - Music To My Ear 2:33
9 Gene Parson's Band - Night Club Rock 'n' Roll 1:56
10 Big Jeff & The Radio Playboys - Juke Box Boogie 2:34
11 Lonesome Long John Roller - Long John's Flagpole Rock 2:04
12 Hender Saul - I Ain't Gonna Rock Yonight 2:31
13 Jim Pike & The Kephart Rockets - Shaken And A Shuttern 2:25
14 Hodges Bros. - I'm Gonna Rock Some Too 2:53
15 Hawkshaw Hawkins - Waitin' For My Baby 2:17
16 Lynn Pratt - Tom Cat Boogie 2:46
17 Chuck Rivers - All Alone At Night 2:18
18 Bill Haley & The Saddlemen - Juke Box Cannonball 2:21
19 Jimmy John - Solid Rock 2:00
20 Riley Crabtree - She Loves Me Better 2:01
21 Rocky Bill Ford - Have You Seen Mabel 2:16
22 Cecil Bowman & The Arrows - Blues Around My Door 2:00
23 Jape Richardson - Crazy Blues 2:08
24 Pedigo Bros. - She's Gone 2:22
25 Marvin Jackson - Gee Whiz Miss Liz 2:02
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Music weaves itself into the fabric of our emotions, dances through the corridors of memory, and whispers to the soul of who we are. Sharing these stories deepens the connection, turning the experience into something timeless and profound.
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