Thank you for highlighting what might be called "classic country music" -- from the 1950s and 1960s -- while it was not too 1940s hillbilly-bluegrass, but not yet 1970s "Islands in the Stream" Kenny Rogers-Dolly Parton. And much less "Bro Country" or whatever it is that American country music is, today. I'm pulling up Ray Price on youtube now.
Yeah, excellent writing, the history of life itself. As a musician who has played c&w up and down the West Coast, and this song in particular, your storytelling really brings back images and recall I thought were gone.
Ray Price’s Greatest hits was part of the Columbia Record Club package that arrived in my home as a youth. Also included was Ring of Fire by Johnny Cash, Johnny Horton’s Greatest Hits, Carl Smith, Sonny James, Connie Francis, and a few others.
I believe that Greatest Hits album on Columbia is the greatest honky-tonk album ever made. My mom had chosen that one when she ordered that Columbia album deal too and I had memorized all the songs by the time I was 9 or 10!
Some years later, my sister joined the Columbia Record Club and I was exposed to some great classic pop, rock, R’n B, and still listen to favourites decades later.
Great article. “Night Life” and “The Other Woman” are the two indispensable Ray Price albums that I revisit on a regular basis when I need some good, hard country from the master himself.
It’s been quite a few years ago that I met and played music with him, but former Ogalala Sioux tribal chairman Joe American Horse had a great voice and knew song after song of Ray Price.
I went back and listened to this album. These songs were all around me in the Texas Hill Country of the 1960's and 70's. Of course, I loved them, but I never realized they were innovative. Ray Price is a classic. Thanks for the article. These songs bring back a lot of memories.
Don Law's name turns up again and again when learning about the history of popular music. He played a role in some of the greatest recordings ever made. His work with Robert Johnson and Bob Wills are essential, historic recordings of our American culture.
Thank you for highlighting what might be called "classic country music" -- from the 1950s and 1960s -- while it was not too 1940s hillbilly-bluegrass, but not yet 1970s "Islands in the Stream" Kenny Rogers-Dolly Parton. And much less "Bro Country" or whatever it is that American country music is, today. I'm pulling up Ray Price on youtube now.
This was a good thrift store find, autographed copy of Night Life.
Yeah, excellent writing, the history of life itself. As a musician who has played c&w up and down the West Coast, and this song in particular, your storytelling really brings back images and recall I thought were gone.
Ray Price’s Greatest hits was part of the Columbia Record Club package that arrived in my home as a youth. Also included was Ring of Fire by Johnny Cash, Johnny Horton’s Greatest Hits, Carl Smith, Sonny James, Connie Francis, and a few others.
I believe that Greatest Hits album on Columbia is the greatest honky-tonk album ever made. My mom had chosen that one when she ordered that Columbia album deal too and I had memorized all the songs by the time I was 9 or 10!
Some years later, my sister joined the Columbia Record Club and I was exposed to some great classic pop, rock, R’n B, and still listen to favourites decades later.
Great article. “Night Life” and “The Other Woman” are the two indispensable Ray Price albums that I revisit on a regular basis when I need some good, hard country from the master himself.
God bless ya, man. I agree 💯
It’s been quite a few years ago that I met and played music with him, but former Ogalala Sioux tribal chairman Joe American Horse had a great voice and knew song after song of Ray Price.
Super story and great writing Ray Price a C & W treasure and a real classic
Thank you
I went back and listened to this album. These songs were all around me in the Texas Hill Country of the 1960's and 70's. Of course, I loved them, but I never realized they were innovative. Ray Price is a classic. Thanks for the article. These songs bring back a lot of memories.
Don Law's name turns up again and again when learning about the history of popular music. He played a role in some of the greatest recordings ever made. His work with Robert Johnson and Bob Wills are essential, historic recordings of our American culture.