A quick Google search tells me that Mr. Cannon is in the Rockabilly Hall of Fame for his saxophone playing, but in 1975 he released this album on the Hi Records label. Is it country? Is it jazz? Check that back cover that someone wrote all over!
The album opens with a cover of Elvis Presley’s “Love Me Tender” – and going over the album credits it says the vocals are by Elvis’ backing band, the Jordanaires, it is a relaxing jazzy cover of Elvis’ hit song, and it’s a bit of a slow opener, but hey, it’s nice. Next up is “Welcome to My World” and we get a taste of some vocals, before going into the saxophone playing. The guitar playing in this is really nice too. “Heartaches by the Number” comes next, and it’s a bit more upbeat, and once more with a hint of vocals here and there, but still beautifully played. Next up, a saxophone cover of Tanya Tucker’s classic, “Delta Dawn” and immediately I recognized this one, but without Tanya Tucker on vocals it’s just not the same. But, I do like this choral type backing group singing the chorus of the song! Bonus. Best part of the A-Side so far! We close the A-Side with the song “A Legend in My Time” and it’s a slower, more relaxing song, but a nice closeout to the A-Side.
The B-Side opens with a song called “Raunchy” and I definitely like this one, it’s just really upbeat and has that horse riding country outlaw sound to it, if that makes sense. Like that Duane Eddy sound. Excellent way to open the B-Side. Next up, “Malt Liquor” and it’s got some harmonica in it, mixed with that saxophone and it makes a beautiful sound. I really like it. “Green, Green Grass of Home” follows, and I feel like this is one of those songs that really needs to have the vocals going with it, because without them it’s just not the same. Then we go onto “You’ve Still Got a Place in My Heart” – which is a slower paced song, relaxing, yes. But I do prefer the more upbeat, quicker paced stuff with the chorus type vocals. Lastly, we close the album with “Satin Sheets” and once more we’re teased with a bit of those choral like vocals, and some steel guitar. Overall, a bit of a slow paced album, but a fine mix of jazz and country, beautiful saxophone playing accompanied by some steel guitars, with those choral vocals. Not bad.
Catalog Number:
SHL 32090
Credits:
Produced by Lewis Willis & Ace Cannon
Engineer – Al Pachucki
Rhythm Guitars – Tommy Allsup, Jimmy Capps & Robert Thompson
Bass Guitars – Henry Strzelecki & Thomas Cogbill
Drums – Buddy Harman
Lead Guitars – Billy Sanford, Peter Wade & Reggie Young
Piano – Jerry Smith
Fiddles – Tommy Williams, James Buchanan & Norman Spicher
Harmonica – Zeke Sheppard
Vocals – the Jordanaires
Strings – The Nashville Strings
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