Here's a nice Rodd Keith number, set to a backing track I've heard on at least two of Rodd's other Preview singles. There's a lot to love here, from the opening moment, where you can here the intake of breath (I always like that on a record) to the way the writer shoehorns in a rhyme by mentioning the name of deputy, to the overall (fairly comical) concept of the citizens of a "town" the size of the one mentioned here, making the decision they make at the end of the song. I also tend to really enjoy the Rodd Keith records where he tries to sound like he's a country and western singer. Enjoy "The Stranger": Play:
The flip-side, "Lonely Nights", is a pretty typical early period Preview record - actually, this one doesn't sound too much different from what I'd expect to hear on a failed (or minor hit) MOR record of the period, although there's something about Rodd's vocal (and those chirpy back-ups) which sets it apart just a bit from those major label releases:
Play:
These are very typical Preview sounds--they had a lot of those C&W/MOR things. Rodd was quite the student of the slip-finger Floyd Cramer technique, wasn't he?
ReplyDeleteThe lyrics to "The Stranger" are pretty insane...of course, the townsmen are awful smart...no strangers in town = no need to pay for a sheriff...
I have always loved "Lonely Nights" and agree with you absolutely! This could have been recorded by tons of country artists....and I don't think they would have done any better job than Rodd!
ReplyDeleteI always am blown away by how Rodd does so many different types of country (and gospel, and r&r, etc). He didn't just do generic country songs, he seemed to know all the different idioms, of all types of music!
None of these are working now.
ReplyDeleteOnce again, thank you Bob for getting these fixed!
ReplyDeleteNow - Just what are those background singers chanting at the end of "The Stranger"?
It aint Marty Robbins ~~~~
ReplyDelete