Cameron Clan "Lightning Express" (Outlet Records, 197-?) (LP)
Carrie "Country Singing" (Bunny Records, 198--?) (LP)
(Produced by Carrie & Neil Ferguson)
Glory-Anne Carriere "I'd Like To Take The Chance" (Emerald Records, 1978) (LP)
Bill Carson "Bill Carson" (Alba Records, 1974-?) (LP)
According to the liner notes on one of his early 7" singles, singer Bill Carson was born in Glasgow, Scotland, raised in Galway, and at some point moved to America and carved out a niche playing folk music and drinking songs in Irish pubs across New England, mostly around Boston. Several of the bars he performed in are listed on the back of this otherwise mysterious album: The Village Pub (in Holliston, Massachusetts), King's Rook (Hopkinton), Century Club Irish Pub (Falmouth, Cape Cod), Liam's Irish Tavern (Framingham) and The Castle Arms (Fitchburg). Although his earlier records were pretty strictly Irish stuff, by the early 'Seventies he'd started mixing in country and pop material, in the classic showband tradition. The country tunes were all of pretty recent vintage -- "Country Roads," Charlie Rich's "The Most Beautiful Girl," Gordon Lightfoot's "Sundown," and even a run-through of "Johnny B. Goode" for the rock fans. No info about musical backing, or a release date, though 1974 seems like a pretty good guess, or maybe even '75.
Bill Carson "So You Think It's Easy..." (Buffalo Records, 1979) (LP)
By the end of the decade, Bill Carson had gone in whole hog with the country vibe, even showing a bit of an outlaw flair on the album's opener, "White Line," a raucous, coke-fueled, Jerry Reed-ish trucker tune, or perhaps the kind of thing the Commander Cody Band would have recorded. To be honest, though, this might not be the greatest country record ever, and Carson himself had kind of an iffy voice. You can certainly hear his Irish roots, particularly on the slower songs, although he seems wobbly on the harder, uptempo tunes, where he slides into his lower register and sounds somewhat leaden. Carson did have a solid band behind him, particularly the steel player Carl Miller, who often rises above the flat, prefab arrangements to deliver some sweet, complex licks. The album drifts all too easily into questionable taste levels, as on the over-the-top rendition of the gospel oldie, "I'll Fly Away," and the saxophone sounds better suited to the Sha-Na-Na road show, rather than on a country album. Also, I was never a fan of Mickey Newbury's "American Trilogy" medley, and this is one of the most unbearable versions I've heard. Still, nice to fill in another gap in the New England country scene. "White Line" is probably the only track in here you need to know about.
Johnny Carter "Moonshine County: First From The Still" (Cambrian Records, 1979-?) (LP)
Georgie Cash "Local Boy From Mersey" (Liverpool Sound, 1973) (LP)
(Produced by Georgie Cash & Charles A. Weston)
The first and possibly only(?) album by Liverpudlian cowboy Georgie Cash, an amiable fellow with fairly pedestrian vocal skills, offering three-and-a-half original songs for country fans to enjoy, amid a deluge of cover songs that span uber-oldies by the likes of Jimmie Rodgers to more contemporary fare from the likes of Kris Kristofferson and Dolly Parton. The half-song is the title track, a parody of Merle Haggard's "Okie From Muskogee," peppered with local references as well as shout-outs to other UK country singers. Also included are Jim Fearon's "Ring A Ding," Bob Scott's "Country Singer" and Cash's own creation, "Cash vs. Cash," which refers of course to the fabled Man In Black. This is an adequate country album, though not likely to set the world (or your turntable) on fire. Not a lot of info about Mr. Cash to be found... On this album he led a band called the New Men, who, sadly, were identified only by their first names: Dave (bass), "Smokey" Jim (drums), Roy (steel guitar) and Terry on lead guitar. Cash's main stomping grounds were Northern England and Ireland; he went onto record several more albums under the name George C. Smith, though I think this was his only "Cash" LP. [Note: this record was also released under the same title on the Stag label, although I think this version was the original.]
John Cassidy & The Everglades "Johnny Cash Greatest Hits" (Gold Award Records, 1974)
John Cassidy & The Everglades "Johnny Cash Hits, v.2" (Windmill Records, 1973-?) (LP)
Bryan Chalker's New Frontier "The Hanging Of Samuel Hall" (Avenue Records, 1971) (LP)
Bryan Chalker "Bryan Chalker" (Decca/Chapter One Records, 1973) (LP)
Bryan Chalker & The Road Band "Daddy, Sing Me A Song" (Decca/Chapter One Records, 1973) (LP)
(Produced by Les Reed & Mike Thompson)
Bryan Chalker "Early Days" (Sweet Folk And Country, 1975) (LP)
(Produced by Bryan Chalker)
Bryan Chalker "Songs And Ballads With Bryan Chalker" (Sweet Folk And Country, 1975) (LP)
(Produced by Bryan Chalker)
Bryan Chalker "Cross-Trackin' " (Emerald Records, 1978) (LP)
Bryan Chalker "The Hanging Of Samuel Hall" (Avenue Records, 1978) (LP)
Chapparal "Chapparal" (SRT Productions, 1980) (LP)
Charlie And The Wide Boys "Great Country Rockers" (MFP, 1976) (LP)
Chester "Leaving Town" (SRT Productions, 1980) (LP)
(Produced by Ted Taylor & Chester)
Chinega County "...Play Country Style" (Zero Records, 1980) (LP)
Colin Christian "Colin Christian" (Tank Records, 1979-?) (LP)
(Produced by Dave Sheriff)
Cimmeron "If We're Not Back In Love By Monday" (Tank Records, 197--?) (LP)
Eric Clapton "Eric Clapton" (Polydor, 1970)
(Produced by Delaney Bramlett)
Although he's a founding member of the Dino-Rock Legion, guitar god Eric Clapton deserves an honorable mention when looking at the roots-twang scene of the 1970s. After extricating himself from the hyperbolic acid rock of his band, Cream, Clapton drifted a bit, going hippie-zonko-psychedelic with Blind Faith and hanging out with the Beatles. On his first proper solo album, he dipped back into the blues, with a dollop of then-cool boogie-rock and a few spacy, Big Star-ish, George Harrison-esque psych-folk outings. This also includes a coked-up version of "After Midnight," recorded along with Delaney & Bonnie, a rootsy duo who figured prominently in most of Clapton's subsequent albums. The twang comes in later, but Clapton does show how diverse and old-school he could be, even after all those years plugged in and playing loud.
Eric Clapton "461 Ocean Boulevard" (RSO, 1974)
(Produced by Tom Dowd)
Again, still mostly a rock/blues record, but with a few Americana-ish hints of things to come, notably a washed-out but still acoustic cover of "Please Be With Me" and his hit version of Bob Marley's "I Shot The Sheriff," a track that helped bring reggae into the American pop mainstream. Mostly too "dino rock" for me, but it's still worth a spin. A big hit, back in the day.
Eric Clapton "There's One In Every Crowd" (Polydor Records, 1975)
Clapton went to Jamaica to get stoned and record this laid-back album... Includes several reggae-flavored tracks, balanced by sedate, sleek blues-pop... Not much countrywise on here, other than "Pretty Blues Eyes," and also no real hits. It's mellow, but forgettable.
Eric Clapton "No Reason To Cry" (Polydor, 1976)
(Produced by Rob Fraboni)
Another negligible album, especially from an alt-country perspective. The production is a little edgier and more shrill -- more coke-influenced, one would assume. Anyway, there's hardly any twang on this album, even with all the guys from The Band jamming with him... So for our purposes here, this is pretty skippable.
Eric Clapton "Slowhand" (RSO, 1977)
(Produced by Glyn Johns)
As far as hippiebilly and Americana go, this is probably Clapton's most relevant record. It's packed with roots-music goodies, notably "Next Time You See Her," "Lay Down Sally" (which hit #3 on the charts), the languid, romantic "Wonderful Tonight," and Clapton's fine rendition of John Martyn's "May You Never." Oh, yeah, there's also his version of JJ Cale's "Cocaine" which, although I really never need to hear it again, was deservedly a monster hit, an arresting rock anthem with a huge rhythmic hook and an unfortunate relevance to the drugged-out era it came out in. This was one of Clapton's best and most popular records, and made him a permanent fixture of disco-era pop culture. Recommended, particularly for the twangy stuff.
Eric Clapton "Backless" (Polydor, 1978)
(Produced by Glyn Johns)
Flowery, formulaic and somewhat lethargic, this echoes the musical themes of Slowhand, but not the album's vigor. I'm sure many Clapton fans will disagree. I do like "Promises" and "Tulsa Time," though!
The Cliffsons "Country Feelings" (Crow Records, 1984) (LP)
(Produced by Tim Flaherty)
This band was basically a stripped-down lineup of the '70s country group Poacher, who were best known for recording a hit version of Oscar Stuart Blandemer's "Darlin'," one of the all-time great English country tunes. The group included Peter J. (no, not that one) Frampton, on guitar, bassist Alan Crookes, drummer Martin Duffy and producer Tim Flaherty on whistle and harmonica. I'm not sure if Poacher were still together when they cut this disc, or if the Cliffsons were a kind of band epitaph. Anyone out there know for sure?
Tammy Cline "...And The Southern Comfort Band" (SRT, 1982) (LP)
Tammy Cline & The Southern Comfort Band "...Sings The Country Greats" (Music For Pleasure, 1987) (LP)
Tammy Cline "Tammy Cline's Country Gospel Album" (Word Records, 1987) (LP)
Clovis Country "Serves Coffee Black" (Cambrian Records, 1979) (EP)
(Produced by Bob McClure)
The Coasters "Country Style" (Grampian Records, 1974) (LP)
(Produced by Jim Johnson)
Not to be confused, of course, with the American doowop/R&B band of the 1950s, this Coasters was a Scottish country group from the seaside town of Thurso, Caithness, in the far north of the highlands. Thurso was not far from the tiny town of Wick, home to the fiesty, independent Grampian label, which was a regional powerhouse in the coastal north. Although Grampian mainly concentrated on Scottish bothy music, they also put out a number of American-style country records, notably a string of albums by Willie Sutherland, and a few by less well-known artists, such as The Coasters. Comprised of Barbara Hunter (vocals), Denis Manson (organ), Willie Reid (drums), George Thompson (guitar and vocals), the Coasters had a delightfully scrappy, unpolished sound -- plenty of plangent twang, slightly uneven vocals, and an unusual (but not unpleasant) reliance on an electric organ, in place of fiddle or pedal steel. Their repertoire was pretty strictly made up of country classics from the 1950s, '60s and early '70s, including three Dolly Parton songs, alongside others by Pee Wee King, Buck Owens, Conway Twitty, a lively version of the Browns hit, "Looking Back To See," and of course, the inevitable early 'Seventies cover of "Me And Bobby McGee." There's a slightly manic, fierce intensity to their performances, and an imperfection that I personally find inviting. Not sure if they made any other records, but this one's pretty fun.
Cockney Country "Another Firkin Country Band" (Countryside Records, 1983) (LP)
(Produced by Les Payne)
Resolutely regional country by a band of East Enders who eschewed Stetson hats and Nudie suits in favor of aviator glasses and a tam or two. They shared a few things in common with their American compatriots -- heartbreak, misery, pot bellies, hangovers -- first and foremost, though, an appreciation for beer. The album's title track, "Another Firkin Country Band," sounds a bit naughty but actually refers to a kind of wooden cask (or firkin) which is also used as a unit of measurement for various kinds of booze... This being England, of course, there are endless gradations and separate kinds and sizes of firkins, depending on whether you're storing beer, ale, or wine -- and also what kind of beer you're pouring. (I'm tempted to reprint the entire Wikipedia article on firkin measurements, but suffice it to say, it's hilariously overcomplicated.) I'm not sure if these guys also sang in Cockney rhyming slang, but I'd like to think so... when I track a copy of this album down, I'll let you know. All the songs are originals, written by various band members, mostly from the group's three lead singers -- bassist Ian Fox, Mick Green, and guitarist Colin Richards -- who are backed by Gary Curson (guitar), Steve Darrington (piano), Les Payne (guitar), Steve Smith (guitar and banjo), and Mark Sugden on drums.
P. Coin Band "Crazy Time" (Coin Records, 19--) (LP)
Brian Coll & The Plattermen "Country And Western Favourites" (Emerald Records, 19--?) (LP)
Brian Coll & The Plattermen "Rose Of Tralee" (London Records, 1967) (LP)
Brian Coll "Tennessee Country" (Top Spin Records, 1979-?)
Colm & The Sundowners "Dear Little Ireland" (Homespun Records, 19--?) (LP)
Colm & The Sundowners "Country Is My Style" (Homespun Records, 19--?) (LP)
Colorado "...Sing Country Music" (Big R Records, 19--?) (LP)
(Produced by David Baker)
This band from Inverness, Scotland clearly had strong American affinities, and an ear for relatively obscure material. The group included Gordy Davidson (lead and rhythm guitar), Davy Duff (steel guitar), David Duncan (bass), Geordie Jack (rhythm guitar and fiddle), and Sandy MacKay on drums -- working in the breezy style of late '70s harmony-vocal country-pop, the group featured all the lads singing lead or harmony (except for drummer MacKay) and had a light, airy feel that was in line with the country style of the time. It has to be said that they had some odd, mousy vocals which may initially be a bit off-putting, but they'll probably win you over. The repertoire is all cover tunes, though spotlighting a surprisingly diverse set of album cuts and lesser-known singles -- the set includes a pair of Roger Bowling songs, a couple by Eddie Rabbitt, others by Max Barnes and Bob McDill. They cover Merle Haggard's "Bottle Let Me Down" and Ed Bruce's "Texas When I Die," as well as "All I Have To Offer You Is Me," which is an album highlight. No date on either of their albums, though they look like early 'Eighties offerings...
Colorado "Tennessee Inspiration" (Big R Records, 19--?) (LP)
(Produced by Ian Grant & Jimmy Tarbutton)
This album was recorded in Tennessee when the band was booked to play at Nashville's big Fan Fair convention (though apparently the promise to make an appearance onstage at the Opry didn't pan out...) It's the same group as on their first album, though naturally augmented by several Music City pros, including guys like Greg Galbraith, Leo Jackson, Bunky Keels and Bruce Watkins, as well as steel guitar legend Lloyd Green (playing on the folk tune, "Green Fields Of France").
Colorado "Colorado" (Trim Top Records, 1984) (LP)
Comanche Gap "Comanche Gap" (Sting Records, 19--?) (LP)
(Produced by Reg Brundish)
Despite the rugged, frontiers-y band name, this was actually an English country rock band, with an album recorded live at the Sundowner's Club in Hindhead, Surrey. It looks to be a late '60s session -- mostly straight country covers, as well as some pop/rock material like Sonny Bono's "Bang Bang" and Buffy St. Marie's "I'm Gonna Be A Country Girl Again." The band included lead singer Robbie Fowler, Jane Fowler on bass, Kevin Saville playing guitar and banjo, and John Standen on fiddle and drums. No date on the album, but I'm guessing this one was about 1968-69(?)
Comanche Gap "The Gap" (Sting Records, 19--?) (LP)
(Produced by Reg Brundish)
It looks like the band really tried to revamp their image on this one, at least visually: they have a much hipper, more Carnaby Street "rock" look to them, and bandleader Robbie Fowler seems to have hired a new lead guitarist and drummer. Their repertoire is still pretty durn country, though, with covers of "Abilene," "Delta Dawn" and the like... They also offer up about a half-dozen original songs, written by Fowler and company. Still British, though! 1971-ish?
Will Conrad & The Westerners "Following Country" (DTS Records, 1974) (LP)
(Produced by Dave Tewes)
Not to be confused with The Westerners, a UK country band led by steel player Bill Edwards, this band included lead vocalist Will Conrad, along with Trevor Baker (lead guitar), Pete Harpin (bass), Graham Wright (drums), Pete Wright (rhythm guitar) and Hugh Weaver on banjo. No information about where they were from, though the album was recorded in Rochester, Kent , with a set list heavy on cover tunes such as "Folsom Prison Blues," "Me And Bobby McGee," "Oh, Lonesome Me," "Orange Blossom Special," and "Together Again."
Will Conrad "Following Country" (DTS Records, 1974) (LP)
Lee Conway - see artist discography
Ian Corrigan "The Best Of Corrigan Country" (Release Records, 19--?) (LP)
Ian Corrigan "Country And Irish: Corrigan Style" (19--?) (LP)
(Produced by Basil Hendricks)
(Tony Mills') Cotton Mill Boys "Try A Little Kindness" (Hawk Records, 197--?) (LP)
An Irish country band, with banjo, fiddle and pedal steel...
The Cotton Mill Boys "The All Star Cotton Mill Boys" (Hawk Records, 197--?) (LP)
The Cotton Mill Boys "25 Country Classics, Volume One" (Hawk Records, 197--?) (LP)
The Cotton Mill Boys "25 Country Classics, Volume Two" (Hawk Records, 197--?) (LP)
The Cotton Mill Boys "25 Country Classics, Volume Three" (Hawk Records, 197--?) (LP)
The Cotton Mill Boys "Orange Blossom Special" (Hawk Records, 1976) (LP)
(Produced by Jerry Hughes, Dick Keating & Alan O'Duffy)
A pretty decent, if somewhat downtempo set from this Irish band, who previously had specialized in truncated versions of country standards, as heard on the series of albums above. Here, they stretch out out a bit and play longer, fuller versions of the material, even though this album is still dominated by covers of American country classics, old-time standards (such as "Will The Circle Be Unbroken" and "Orange Blossom Special") and a couple of newer country-rock hits. This is pretty low-key, but has its charms. A youthful band featuring
singers Des Wilson, Tony Hughes and Garry Madigan, they flashed a bit of long hair, though they took the music seriously and were well immersed in the American milieu; not much trace of their Irish background comes out in the music.
Dennis Coulson "Dennis Coulson" (Elektra Records, 1973) (LP)
A "solo" set by the ex-keyboard player for the steadily-dissolving McGuinness Flint band... This is essentially the McGuinness Flint crew, with additional backing from a bevy of English brass players. This includes versions of several Gallagher & Lyle songs; more of a rock thing, really, but a still a worthy footnote to an officially "country-rock" band from the UK.
Country Breeze "The Gentle Sound Of Country Breeze" (Nevis Records, 19--?) (LP)
(Produced by Jim McLean)
Country Breeze "Country Breeze" (Lismor Records, 1977) (LP)
(Produced by David Sinclair & Ian Sinclair)
To be honest, this country-covers band from Dumfries, Scotland falls pretty short of the mark. Formed in 1972, Country Breeze was led by singer Doreen Duncan and her husband, drummer Bob Duncan, backed on this album by Ian Mitchell on rhythm guitar, Alan Sesford playing lead. One can force oneself to find things to appreciate here (I tried) but the truth of it is they were an underwhelming group, even as show bands go, and had a somewhat tenuous feel for American country music. Mrs. Duncan has a stylistically flat affect, at time a bit churchy, but mainly too detached and remote from the lyrics. The guitar work is also not great, sounding at times inept though more often noodly and inattentive, possibly like a rock-oriented picker who simply doesn't have a feel for the concision and economy of good country music, and doesn't know what to do with himself as the songs progress. The band recorded several albums, and I'm not sure where this disc fits into their chronology; the undated Nevis album above may have been an earlier release.
Country Breeze "Always" (Igus Records, 1981) (LP)
(Produced by Pete Shipton)
Country Breeze "Beautiful Thing" (Neptune Records) (LP)
Country Confusion "Country Side Of Heaven" (Westwood Recordings, 1975) (LP)
(Produced by Gordon Davies' & David Whiteley)
An odd name for a band, to be sure, but an intriguing album, nonetheless. Formed in 1974, this twangband from Edinburgh backed an American gal named Suzanna Harris on a UK tour, and went on to make appearances on several BBC radio programmes. The group included Bobby Boyle (bass), Doug Rothnay (rhythm guitar), Dave Smith (lead guitar and steel), and George Wilkie on drums. Their repertoire included a couple written by Dave Smith, an ex-rocker gone country, "Girl In A Million" and "Only You, Only Me." Dunno how long these guys were together, or if they recorded any other albums.
The Country Fever "New Dimensions" (Lucky Records, 197-?) (LP)
Country Folk "We Are Country Folk" (SRT Records, 1981) (LP)
Country Legend "Country Legend" (Westwood Records, 197--?) (LP)
(Produced by Gordon Davies, Alan Green & Beryl Ritchie)
Not sure where exactly in the UK this mostly (all?) covers band came from... The quartet included Tony Davey (lead guitar), John D. Henderson (bass), Bill Taylor (rhythm guitar and lead vocals) and Charlie Whittaker on drums...
Country Life "Sing Me A Country Song" (Westwood Records, 19--?) (LP)
Country Road "Our Home Country" (Tank Records, 1975) (LP)
(Produced by Ken Reader & Paul Price)
Country Shack "Which Way Is Gone?" (Sweet Folk & Country Records, 1977) (LP)
The Countrymen "On Tour" (Saga Records, 1968-?) (LP)
The Countrymen "Going Places With The Countrymen" (Saga Records, 1969) (LP)
Carl County "Truckdrivers, Teardrops & Trains" (19--?) (LP)
A craggy-faced Welsh twangster from Montgomery, Powys. Unfortunately, this custom-pressing LP has very minimal liner notes, and affords us little insight into Mr. County's background, nor does it tell us who was backing him, or who produced the album. An intriguing mix of material, though, from a Charley Pride medley to the "Truckdriving Trilogy," something called "Lynching Party" (yikes!) and some contemporary outlaw stuff such as "Ladies Love Outlaws," "The Junkie And The Juicehead" and Shel Silverstein's "The Winner." Eclectic, for sure, but who the heck was this guy??
Rob Crompton "Heading Home" (Tank Records, 1980) (LP)
(Produced by Dave Sheriff)
Culpepper Country "At Home" (Sweet Folk And All Records, 1977) (LP)
Culpepper Country "Your Request, Our Pleasure" (Pixie Records, 1975) (LP)
(Produced by Derek Tomkins)
The Cumberland Clan "Bouquet Of Blue Grass Hits" (Gold Award Records, 1970) (LP)
Larry Cunningham & Margo "Yes, Mr. Peters" (Release Records, 1976) (LP)
(Produced by Basil Hendricks)
A set of duets from two Irish country stars, with backing by the Country Blue Boys, a band whose members are not mentioned by name, though presumably producer Basil Hendricks chimes in on steel guitar...
Dave Curtis "Broken Hill" (Tank Records, 197--?) (LP)
(Produced by Dave Curtis & Alan Lovell)
Dave Curtis "Takin' The Rough With The Smooth" (Tank Records, 1978) (LP)
(Produced by Dave Sheriff, Norman Stagles & John Boyle)
Dave Curtis "Remembers" (Tank Records, 1980) (LP)
(Produced by Dave Sheriff & David Rawlings)
