David Allan Coe - Unchained/Son of the South: Plus CD

Unchained/Son of the South: 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 ...

Unchained/Son of the South: Plus songs David Allan Coe's first two albums for Columbia, THE MYSTERIOUS RHINESTONE COWBOY and ONCE UPON A RHYME, are presented here on one disc, making for a solid 20-track set that finds the hard-living country eccentric bidding for a wider audience without sacrificing any of his outlaw credibility. Although Coe's rough-and-tumble reputation hangs over his entire catalogue, many of these songs are remarkably gentle and melancholy, recasting a highly controversial performer as a guy who, at heart, just wants to sing simple country tunes (see "A Sad Country Song," "I Still Sing the Old Songs," and "Another Pretty Country Song"). This collection also features Coe taking on his own poignant "Would You Lay with Me (In a Field of Stone)," originally a hit for Tanya Tucker, and the witty, honky-tonk mainstay "You Never Even Called Me By My Name." For those looking to delve into Coe's early career, this is the ideal first stop. his first two LPs for Columbia, w. lyrics enclosed Recorded at Columbia Studios & Pete's Place, Nashville, Tennessee. Includes liner notes by Bob Allen. 2 LPs on 1 CD: THE MYSTERIOUS RHINESTONE COWBOY (1974)/ONCE UPON A RHYME (1974). Producer: Ron Bledsoe. Reissue producer: Richard Weize.

Unchained/Son of the South: 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 Digitally remastered edition of 2 original Coe classic albums compiled to a single compact disc. 2 LPs on 1 CD: JUST DIVORCED (1984)/DARLIN' DARLIN' (1985).

Unchained/Son of the South: 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).

Unchained/Son of the South: Plus buy CD music Track Listing of songs: Cheap Thrills; Son of a Rebel Son; Fool Inside of Me; Castles in the Sand; Gotta Serve Somebody; Ride, The; I Can't Let You Be a Memory; Missin' the Kid; Don't Be a Stranger; For Lovers Only; Crazy Old Soldier; Out of Your Mind; Mister, Don't Speak Bad About My Music; Drinkin' to Forget; Gotta Travel On; He Will Break Your Heart; For Lovers Only; Hello in There; Someone Special; I Ain't Let You Go Again; My Father Smoked His Pipe;

Unchained/Son of the South: 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