Search - David Allan Coe :: Essential David Allan Coe

Archetypal Country and Western Whiskey Soaked Aristotle

prisrob | New EnglandUSA | 01/28/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

""Even though David Allan Coe hasn't had the commercial success of Johnny Cash or Willie Nelson, the grizzled ex-con can not only kick the shit out of 'em both (it helps that one is dead) but also is the credited author of the archetypal country-and-western song. Like some hat-wearing, whiskey-soaked Aristotle, Coe established the poetics for the "perfect" song when he first performed Steve Goodman's "You Never Even Called Me by My Name" in 1975. Whereas any given country song contains at least one of the five essential elements -- drunkenness, mama, prison, trains or trucks -- this ballad includes them all." Todd Brookherd



David Allan Coe is a 'tough cookie'. From the age of 9 through his early 30's he spent much of his life in juvenile and adult prison. When, he was finally released he drove his tattooed self to Nashville and lived in a hearse outside of Ryman Theatre. He wrote songs and tried to obtain a singing contract. In 1968 he delivered 'Penitentiary Blues'to some acclaim, and it was re-mastered in 2006. Coe is the atypical country singer he is tattooed, pierced and likes to drive his Harley on stage dressed in a rhinestone suit and mask. Nashville society has not easily accepted this country outlaw. It was not until Tanya Tucker made his "Would You Lay with Me (in a Field of Stone' a number one hit that he got noticed for his music. My best friend introduced me to 'The Essential David Allan Coe', and it is a representation of his music. It is a hard drivin and musically toe tappin sound, and one I love. There are 14 songs on this CD, either written by or made famous by David Allan Coe.



'The Ride'-song about the ghost of "Ole Hal'



have ya paid your dues, can ya moan the blues,

can ya bend them guitar strings,

he said boy can make folks feel what ya feel inside,

cause if ya big star bound let me warn ya, its a long hard ride,

he said, drifter can ya make folks cry when ya play and sing,

have ya paid your dues can ya moan the blues,

can ya bend them guitar strings,

he said boy can ya make folks feel what ya feel inside,

cause if your big star bound

let me warn ya, its a long hard ride...

if your big star bound, let me warn ya.......



I got it covered baby!!!!





'Would You Lay With Me (in A Field Of Stone) Lyrics'- made famous by Tanya Tucker- sweet, lovely soft guitar srummin'



Would you bathe with me in the stream of life

When the moon is full will you bathe with me

Will you still love me when I'm down and out

In my time of trials will you stand by me

Would you go away...

Would you lay with me in a field of stone

If my needs were strong would you lay with me





'Wille, Waylon and Me' - 12 string guitar- a take on the Bryds and Eagles



I'd heard The Burritos out in California

could fly higher than The Byrds

Roger McGuinn had a 12 string guitar.

It was like nothing I'd ever heard

And The Eagles flew in from the west coast

Like The Byrds they were trying to be free

While in Texas the talk turned to Outlaws

Like Willie and Waylon and me





'If That Ain't Country'-isn't this what country is all about?



Mama sells eggs at a grocery store my oldest sister is a first-rate whore

Dad says she can't come home anymore and he means it

Ma just sits and keeps her silence

Sister she left cause dad got violent and he knows it

Mama she's old far beyond her time

From chopping tobacco and I've seen her cryin'

When blood started flowin' from her calloused hand and it hurt me

She'd just keep workin' tryin' to help the old man

To the end of one row and back again like always

She's been through hell since junior went to jail





'Take This Job And Shove It' -Probably the best known song of all time.



TAKE THIS JOB AND SHOVE IT

I AIN'T WORKING' HERE NO MORE

MY WOMAN DONE LEFT AND TOOK ALL OF THE REASONS I WAS WORKING FOR

YOU BETTER NOT TRY TO STAND IN MY WAY

WHEN I WALK OUT THE DOOR TAKE THIS JOB AND SHOVE IT

I AIN'T WORKING' HERE NO MORE



'Don't Cry Darlin'-sad, song about a love he left- alcohol drove him away



Don't you Cry Darlin'

I didn't know your name



"David Allan Coe may be the most controversial musician in country music history. Not even Western Swing pioneer Spade Cooley, who was convicted of murdering his wife as their daughter watched, has received as much notorious press as Coe. Prison time. Tattoos and scars. Motorcycle gangs. Cheatin' songs, drinkin' songs and a famously nasty attitude long ago marked Coe as country's outlaw. " Tom Netherland



David Allan Coe is an untapped country treasure. His voice is raw and rough, but like American smooth whiskey it is akin to the real Scottish thing. He may be an outlaw in Nashville, but the 'Mysterious Rhinestone Cowboy' is the nearest thing to country for many of us in the real world.

Highly Recommended. prisrob 1-28-07

"

Outlaw country not main stream BS

Eastwood | Michigan | 06/13/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The original longhaired redneck. It just gets no better than this I don't even own this album but just by looking at the track listing I can say its probably his best compilation short,of his live stuff. This is true whiskey drinkin' outlaw country that ya just can't f with."

Expectations fulfilled

Jean Massij | Belgium | 11/17/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This Cd includes practically all major hits, and that's exactly what i am looking for."