Duane Eddy

 

George writes:

Duane Eddy died on May 1. He was 86. And I felt sad at this news.  Which is a bit strange, I never knew him at all, except through his records of course. These deaths  of singers, pop and rock stars, I rarely give them more than a passing thought, even those whose music features heavily on my shelves. Not Mark E Smith, not Bowie. But George Michael, absolutely yes, and Duane Eddy too. 

Duane Eddy - Cannonball

There’s definitely something very appealing about that sound, it never fails to make me smile, the records are simply joyous, even as they lumber along like this:

Duane Eddy - 40 Miles of Bad Road

One of the first singles I bought (and I still have it) was the 1975 UK hit Play Me Like You Play Your Guitar. And 50 years on I still know those opening lines

Duane Eddy & the Rebelettes - Play Me Like You Play Your Guitar

(And 50 years I’m still unsure what those lyrics mean). The 12 year-old me was a Duane Eddy fan, and the 61 year old me still is. Our musical tastes change, bands and singers come and go, but I’ve been a fan of Duane Eddy’s music for nearly 50 years. And if Mr CC will indulge, here’s a fourth song, my absolute favourite of his, I love the anticipation for the moment the great man hits those deep twangy notes.

Duane Eddy - Because They're Young

That song frequently appears in the ever evolving list of Top Ten Records of All Time.

Thank you, Duane Eddy, you’re a bloody legend.

CC writes:

Many thanks George. A lovely tribute. From the heart. Good music can do that to you.

Dance with the Guitar Man

 

2024 Charity Shop Purchases # 49 - Duane Eddy - 18 Guitar Hits

Duane Eddy died om the 1st of May aged 86. To commemorate his passing George wrote an excellent tribute

At the time I  didn't have anything by Duane except perhaps the odd track here and there. That his since been rectified with the  purchase of 18 Guitar Greats from BRICC in Ballantrae.

George selected four songs by Duane all of which feature on the album above. That gives me 14 to play with.

I'll start with the first two on the CD (Dance With) The Guitar Man and Peter Gunn and conclude with track 11 Rebel Rouser which is a pretty apt  description for the great man(Duane that is not George).

It's good to see him finally residing on the rock'n'roll/rockabilly shelves. Long overdue

Duane Eddy - (Dance With) The Guitar Man

Duane Eddy -Peter Gunn

Duane Eddy - Rebel Rouser

Trouble is a Lonesome Town

You won't find it on any map but take a step in any direction and your in Trouble

Following the phenomenal success on CCM of Trouble Town by Jake Bugg the theme tune to the BBC's Happy Valley series we go back to the original town called Trouble.
As far back as 1963 in fact and the masterpiece that is Trouble is a Lonesome Town by the late great Lee Hazlewood.
It is a story teller's album featuring a number of country cowboy ballads with a narrative preamble concerning the fictitious town of Trouble - "nothing with a railroad running through it"  and is loosely based on his birthplace
It is like a spoken and singing version of a William Faulkner novel or a Coen Brothers film just dripping with atmosphere.

Re-released in 2013 by Light in the Attic records  with  extra tracks including his work with Duane Eddy and a six part narrative related by the man himself - well worth checking out

Lee Hazlewood - Trouble is a Lonesome Town

Lee Hazlewood -We All Make the Flowers Grow