I had great hopes upon getting this record, and while the original reason for my excitement did not pan out, the actual subject of this record is in no way a let down. I did think that maybe a record called "The Bender Song" would be about binge drinking, and was really interested in hearing what Sammy Marshall would do with that subject.
But it turns out that the song is actually about a famous 19th century family who lived in Labette County, Kansas, and who are known to history as "The Bloody Bender Family", due to their having been serial killers. You can read about them here.
Sammy Marshall and the Sun-Rays (how's that for a mismatch of group name and song subject) sound almost giddy in singing about mass murderers, as you'll now hear:Download: Sammy Marshall and the Sun-Rays - The Bender Song
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Good to know that this record was FREE!
What's even more amazing is that this 45 was meant to promote Kansas, on the occasion of the state's Centennial, which is spelled "Centenial" on the label!
The flip side, "Come to Kansas", which was also co-written by the wonderfully named Clavelle Isnard (along with Jimmy Holland), can't possibly live up to the song it is paired with, but it's got a typically strong Kris Arden vocal, and more peppy accompaniment by the Sun-Rays:
Download: Kris Arden and the Sun-Rays - Come to Kansas
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3 comments:
I'm glad you put the Wiki link, which mentioned Cherry Vale.
Before I read that, I listened to the song twice and thought they lived "not far from Jerry Vale."
This is an excellent record, I love the sound of it, both sides, and I am blown away to discover "The Bender Song" is about serial killers! I did not listen to the lyrics properly, I was just digging the sound, the melody, the arrangement, the hooks, etc. Wow! I am going to go listen to that again, right now!
And the record was FREE! Just my price! :D
I knew them Benders. Great bunch. Always treated me right... thanx.
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