David Allan Coe - Castles in the Sand/Hello in There Plus CD

Castles in the Sand/Hello in There Plus album for sale Long Haired Redneck/Rides Again is the second volume in Bear Family's David Allan Coe two-fer series of his work at Columbia Records from 1974-1981. This pair of albums, released in 1976 and 1977, respectively -- his third and fourth albums for the label -- find Coe aligning himself completely with the Willie, Waylon, and Billy Joe Shaver "outlaw" movement -- as if he ever had to try. Coming on the heels of his first Top Ten hit, a cover of Steve Goodman's "You Never Even Called Me by My Name" from Once Upon a Rhyme, Longhaired Redneck is one of Coe's finest records. He either wrote or co-wrote every song on the album, and the title track became his anthem. In addition, the haunting ballad "Revenge," "Free Born Rambling Man," and "Living on the Run" are hallmarks of his best work as a songwriter and as a performer. Rides Again is an altogether different affair. While Coe once again wrote or co-wrote all but one of the album's ten tracks, it is also the beginning of a darkly cynical period in his work, featuring such tracks as the conceited "Willie, Waylon, and Me" (complete with a reprise six tracks later); "If That Ain't Country (You Can Kiss My Ass)"; his paean to his polygamy, "The House We've Been Calling a Home"; and the bitter "Sense of Humor." There are also excellent songs here, such as "Under Rachel's Wings," "Greener Than the Grass We Laid On," and a cover of Dale Murphy's "Laid Back and Wasted." ~ Thom Jurek His 3rd and 4th LP, with all lyrics enclosed. 2 LPs on 1 CD: LONGHAIRED REDNECKS (1976)/DAVID ALLEN ...

Castles in the Sand/Hello in There Plus songs David Allan Coe's seventh and eighth albums for Columbia (documented here on CD by the illustrious Bear Family label from Germany as the fourth issue in their Coe retrospective series) reveal just how influential producer Billy Sherrill became on Coe's sound, and how completely he trusted Sherrill's instincts. Human Emotions, written and recorded after being left by his wife of two years, had Coe offering two sides of his complex feelings of despondency. There is the "Happy Side," comprised of songs written and recorded before his wife left, and in some cases before they even met. The other side is entitled "Suicide" (also the name of the album's final track, the definitive black metal country song), which is a painful examination of one's shortcomings and bitterness after the divorce. Most notable is the re-recording of "Would You Lay With Me (In a Field of Stone)," which is perhaps even more powerful than the original, done four years earlier. Spectrum VII, issued in 1979, barely a year later, is full of beautiful honky tonk songs and whining pedal steel guitars as well as folky country waltzes and progressive country tunes that have as much in common with songwriters such as Jesse Colin Young and Jimmy Buffett as they do with Nash Vegas' finest. There is a corny track -- characteristic of all Coe outings -- as well as the truly definitive version of Dave Loggins' unintentional pop hit "Please Come to Boston." As with all the Coe reissues, this one is chock-full of session photographs and the sound is spectacular. The liner-note essays -- which ceased to be a part of the packaging after the second Bear Family volume -- are missed, though. ~ Thom Jurek 2 Columbia LP's from the late 70's, 20 tracks in all, "Human Emotions" chronicles his feelings before & after the traumatic breakup of his marriage 2 LPs on 1 CD: HUMAN EMOTIONS (1978)/SPECTRUM VII (1979). Producers: Ron Bledsoe, David Allan Coe, Billy Sherrill.

Castles in the Sand/Hello in There Plus buy CD music Germany's Bear Family Records hits the second from last leg of its David Allan Coe two-fer reissue program with this pair of albums released in 1984 and '85, respectively, when Coe was edging toward "legend" status -- meaning he was about to be kicked off the radio charts altogether to make room for Garth Brooks, Trisha Yearwood, and the next generation of Nashville hitmakers. Both recordings were produced by Billy Sherrill. Just Divorced features one of Coe's greatest vocal performances in his reading of Johnny Cunningham's "Mona Lisa's Lost Her Smile," which proved to be a bona fide hit. The layered strings and organ work are slick but they add such warmth and depth in contrast to Coe's voice that it works to devastating effect. Coe wrote over half the record, and his own tunes work best on the rest -- "He's Taking It Hard (She's Taking It Easy)," "Sweet Angeline," the stunning third part to "For Lovers Only," and "Thief in My Bedroom" round out the "downside" of the disc. Coe's "Just Divorced" and "It's Great to Be Single Again" sound a little disingenuous coming form the emotional weight of the first half, but they're fine songs nonetheless. The album closes with a soul tune -- believe it or not -- Jerry Butler's fantastic "For Your Precious Love" is carried off convincingly as a country song -- complete with first person confessional as an intro. Darlin' Darlin' is one of the strangest records in Coe's catalog. For starters, Coe wrote only two songs on the set, a spiritual song called "Mary Go Round the Birth of Jesus," and the fourth and last part of "For Lovers Only," which closes the album. Musically, this is a big production number -- even for Sherrill. There are keyboards winding through everything, big backing vocals, and layered pedal steel and electric guitars. Some of the covers are curious choices as well: Smokey Robinson's "My Girl," a soul holdover from Just Divorced, and J.J. Cale's "Call Me the Breeze." The rest were written by the then-current crop of Nashville songwriters, like the spooky minor key "She Used to Love Me A Lot," and Sherrill's brilliant "My Elusive Dreams." There is also a duet on the disc: "Don't Cry Darlin'" puts Coe in the company of George "The Possum" Jones and unfortunately, it's one of Darlin' Darlin"s low points. For the most part, the set showcases Coe as one of the great country singers, wrapping his throaty baritone around love songs, pop songs, and rock tunes. And as a singer's recording, as odd as some of the material choices are, it works, and works well -- check Sharon Rice's "Too Close to Home," with keyboard and saxophone solos, but it's Coe's voice that carries the day. This is not the best place for the curious to begin with D.A.C., but for those who are die-hard fans, this is an essential recording. There are four bonus cuts on this CD -- all rejects taken from the original sessions, and they include "Cocaine Carolina" and the stunning "Drinking to Forget." ~ Thom Jurek These two LPs with bonus material focus on the years 1982-85. 'Just Divorced' and 'Darlin', Darlin'' are from 1984 and 1985. 'Just Divorced' is a collection about bittersweet emotions inspired by divorce. It includes DAC's biggest hit as a singer, the su 2 LPs on 1 CD: JUST DIVORCED (1984)/DARLIN' DARLIN' (1985).

Castles in the Sand/Hello in There Plus CD music Bear Family continues its David Allan Coe reissue program with Rough Rider and D A C (Plus), two titles released at the bookends of 1982; both albums were produced by Billy Sherrill. From his liner notes to both recordings, it appears Coe was going through yet another series of marital troubles, which appear to have been channeled into solid songwriting and performing. Amidst personal and marital turmoil, Rough Rider features one bona fide classic in "Pouring Water on a Drowning Man." In addition "What Made You Change Your Mind," "Forever and Never," and "Time After Time," rank among the singer/songwriter's best self-penned material of the period. To balance matters, Coe's choice of covers on this set is also impressive. His performances of "Now I Lay Me Down to Cheat," and "Take Time to Know Her," are authoritative and emotionally taut. And his stellar, regret-laden readings of two Larry Murray tunes, "Headed for the Country" and "Meanwhile Back in Memphis" close the album on notes of acceptance and regret. D A C was written mostly on tour, and is divided into two categories -- remember: this was still the LP era -- the "Thinking Side" and the "Drinking Side." Coe wrote everything on the set and it's a stunner. Side one contains some of Coe's bitterest, most accusatory breakup songs including "Looking in the Mirror," "Lying Comes So Easy to Your Lips," and the deeply moving "The Last Time She'll Leave Me This Time." The flip has the punchy, Jimmy Buffett-influenced "She Loved the Leavin' Out of Me," and "Whiskey, Whiskey (Take My Mind)" -- which is actually dedicated to Buffett. But despite being classified as the "drinking side" there are wonderful love songs, too, including "I Gave Up (On Trying to Get Over You)." The "plus" in the Bear Family title of the album signifies the inclusion of an alternate take of "Free Born Ramblin' Man," from an earlier session not associated with either album. It's not essential given the dark and melancholy nature of these two albums, but for fans it's another reason to purchase the import CD (along with a fine package that includes original liner notes and lyrics, as well as vintage photos and great sound) -- since it's unlikely Legacy with be reissuing Coe's Columbia catalog any time soon, though they should. This is a truly welcome addition to the Coe shelf on CD. ~ Thom Jurek Country renegade David Allan Coe was incredibly prolific: during 13 years with Columbia Records, he released almost two LPs a year. This CD focuses on the years 1982-85. 'Rough Rider' and 'DAC' come from 1982 and the mostly self-composed songs chart Coe' 2 LPs on 1 CD: ROUGH RIDER (1982)/DAC (1982).

Castles in the Sand/Hello in There Plus buy CD music (2 albums on one CD with bonus material) This release concludes Bear Family's exclusive documentation of the outlaw pioneer's best work. It has been several years since Bear Family began their exclusive documentation of David Allan Coe's recordings for C 2 LPs on 1 CD: UNCHAINED (1985)/SON OF THE SOUTH (1986). Personnel: David Allan Coe; James Capps, Pete Bordonali, Robert Ogdin, Henry Strzelecki, Mark O'Connor , Pete Drake, Ron Reynolds, Terry McMillan, Warren Haynes, Billy Sanford, Billy Sherrill , Kenny Malone, Hargus "Pig" Robbins, Jerry Carrigan, Dale Sellers, Bobby Wood.

Castles in the Sand/Hello in There Plus songs In 1987, the David Allan Coe/Billy Sherrill partnership was still running strong, as evidenced by A Matter of Life and Death. Like many of Coe's recordings, this one is a concept record, full of "dedications and meditations." The inspiration behind its making was the passing of Coe's father, Donald Mahan Coe, the return home (on the day of his father's funeral) of his 16-year-old daughter from living with her mother for the majority of her life, and the birth of his and Jody Lynn's two children, Tyler and Tanya Montana. Coe and Sherrill are particularly suited to each other on recordings like this. They serve to curb each other's excesses and rely on making sure the right songs come out of the mix, representing the emotional intention of the set rather than burying those songs under production or hyperbole. This set yielded some of the strongest Coe songs of the 1980s (and that's saying something): "Jody Like a Melody," "If Only Your Eyes Could Lie," and "The Ten Commandments of Love." And "Southern Star," with its searing lyric and screaming guitar solos, is among his most under-recognized, poetic tomes worthy of being recorded by .38 Special or Lynyrd Skynyrd. Sherrill's sequencing is brilliant, and each song seems to segue into another, creating a kind of impressionistic narrative. Interestingly, this record sounds so outside the new traditionalist mold dominating Nash Vegas at the time that it was quickly lost to oblivion -- despite the fact that it's a true traditional country record in the most strident use of the term. This is a fine if forgotten album. Coe may have had some hits, but it's records like this that make one wonder if there wasn't a conspiracy to marginalize him and make him fail. Coe is a brilliant songwriter well into the 21st century, and deserves to be lauded along with the likes of Nelson and Jennings and Kristofferson and Newbury -- and even Cash. ~ Thom Jurek This final album in Bear Family's David Allan Coe series features his last LP for Columbia, together with some truly amazing bonus tracks. There's a single that he recorded for Cabut waiting for his parole to be up so that he could move to Nashville. The