The Twisted Tales From The Vinyl Wastelands series takes the listener on a dark adventure, a wrong turn into a bizarre, alternate world of American country music performed by small town, unknown hicks. The second volume, Beating On The Bars, collects eighteen ultrarare hillbilly 45s recorded for long-lost independent record labels. The theme this time is incarceration the county lock-ups, state pens and prisons. When Johnny Cash released his live at Fulsom Prison and San Quentin LPs to critical acclaim and commercial success, small-town hopefuls rushed into backwoods recording studio across the South to tell their own tales of crime and punishment. Until now, most of these records lay forgotten in the solitary confinement of the bargin bins. The deluxe, gatefold LP sleeve (and 16 page CD booklet) features, liner notes from Country Music legend Bill Carter, track-bytrack comments from Texas rockabilly singer (and serial killer researcher) Mack Stevens, plus an original short story from underground writer Avery Powell, all pulled together with amazing graphic artwork from acclaimed illustrator Olaf Jens. Tracks : Billy Barton - Wanted Man, Travelin' Texans - Beatin' On The Bars, Gary Williams - Walla Walla State Prison, Bill Carter - Shot Four Times And Dyin', Johnny Starr - Lewisburg Prison, Tom Edwards - Cook County Jail, Doodle Duncan - Death Row, Lee Hazlewood With Duane Eddy - The Girl On Death Row, Danny Dill - He's Biding His Time, Chuck Wells - Down & Out, Sanford Clark - It's Not Hing To Me, Sterling Blythe - You Picked Up A Stranger, The Wray Brothers - Ninety Nine Years To Go, Tommy Faile - The Rest Of My Life, Eddie Noack - Invisible Stripes, Stonewall Jackson - Life To Go, Country Johnny Mathis - Caryl Chessman, Jimmy Minor - Death Row.
H**E
Dank, obscure country compilation.
Very cool record. I LOVE old school, semi-obscure country, and have recently done a sailor’s dive down the vinyl rabbit-hole. Thankful for this company anthologizing these songs, most of which were released only on 45 records, onto an LP format. A clever concept that helps these songs survive and live again. Will be buying more of this series. The Vinyl Wastelands website has many other cool offerings if you care to check it out, and they go beyond country to greasy rockabilly, blues and old school rock and roll. My copy plays great, so other reviews that claim bad vinyl do no hold true with my fledgling experience. And it is a heavy feeling disc, though I don’t know if it is 180 grams or what. It is more substantial than many of my floppier LPs. Very enjoyable record that sounds great. And the quirky, gatefold cover design is fun, cool and informative. Recommend.
M**T
If you Hillbillies in Hell
I’m not going to review each song. But I love this record. Became one of my favorites. If you like hillbillies in hell compilations buy this comp.All kind of obscure murder ballads and jail songs.The Wray Brothers features a very early Link Wray.Chuck Wells, Sanford Clark...some of my favorites. I literally love every song though. Sterling Blythe kills it too.
J**S
Misery loves company!
It's by far the best vinyl I've ever bought! 10 out of 10 a must have.
A**
Great record
Really glad to find this compilation alot of outstanding tracks, bought it for Nothing To Me love the other tracks
M**R
Five Stars
excellent!!!
J**.
If The Title Intrigues, You Wont Be Disappointed
Clean recordings and great forgotten tunes.
G**B
Excellent hardcore country compilation
For anyone who likes the 'Hillbillies In Hell' series of albums this is a perfect addition to your collection. A great compilation of obscure old country singles with a prison theme. Highly recommended!
A**R
rare recordings
Very good recordings. well worth the money
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