Search - Johnny Darrell :: Singin It Lonesome

UNSUNG COUNTRY SINGER-JOHNNY LOSE IT ALL!!!!

08/28/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"pardon the use of one of the songs on this compile but that's about the only way to describe the appalling bad luck of johnny darrell,to give an example i'd never even heard of him till i bought this cd,yet i haven't stopped playing it since. this guy recorded the first versions of songs that became country and pop standards but unfortunately not for him,songs such as "GREEN,GREEN GRASS OF HOME"(darrell's first single believe it or not!!)was a top 10 country hit for porter waggoner and a massive international hit(and still associated with) tom jones."RUBY,DON'T TAKE YOUR LOVE TO TOWN" a 1967 country top 10 for him but a cover 2 years later by kenny rogers and the first edition became a massive international hit and he cut it again in the mid 70's(i think)and was a big hit in australia. "THE SON OF HICKORY HOLLER'S TRAMP" again first done by darrell was a country top 30 hit for him but a cover by o.c smith was an international and better known hit.the first versions of lowell george's "WILLIN'" and jackson browne's "MAE JEAN GOES TO HOLLYWOOD" appear here,byrds fans would be familiar with these two songs as the first became part of their live set of that period and the latter was an unreleased till 1990 studio cut. the link they have is clarence white plays guitar on both these cuts.actually this disc is in two parts,the first 16 make up a best of set and the next 12 the complete 1969 album"CALIFORNIA STOP-OVER",the songwriters are like a whose who of country/country rock,the likes of curly putnam,hoyt axton,kris kristofferson,mickey newbury,johnny and june cash.i can't imagine anyone who likes good country/country rock music not liking this disc.a personal favorite is the lovely "THE COMING OF THE ROADS"featuring the country songbird anita carter ,it's a lovely duet of a billy edd wheeler song. as the liner notes say it must have got to the stage where darrell was afraid to turn the radio.this is one great cd and kudos to raven records for bothering to put this together,i don't usually like their work on reissues(they have great ideas but lousy execution therof for most of their stuff) but great liner notes from glenn a baker (a writer i can usually do without)and great sound quality MAKE THIS A REALLY GREAT CD.there's other stories such as "WITH PEN IN HAND",but just BUY THIS CD and read the booklet and shake your head and enjoy the great music."

A good singer

Jess | Coal Country, PA | 02/26/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"How would I characterize Johnny Darrell? Well, he has a great voice, that's not quite traditional country. He would not seem out of place singing Folk Music, and maybe that's why he never really hit it big. Personally, I'd say Johnny Darrel is of the same caliber as John Denver, although their musical approach and vocal stylings are quite different. Denver was Folk trying to sound Country; Darrell appeared to be just the opposite. Like Kris Kristofferson, it seemed Darrell often overthought the song, and tried to sell it to the audience for something it wasn't; but unlike Kristofferson, Johnny Darrel could actually sing (and he had an incredible voice). BUT, dont let that stop you from buying this album. Johnny Darrell's vocals on most of these songs are worthy of charting in the top 10; yet, he never did. Just as the liner notes lament, Johnny released most of these well known singles with little success, while later artists hit it big with the same songs! Stand out numbers include: "Ruby", "Son of Hickory Hollow's Tramp", and "I aint Buying". It's safe to say that Johnny Darrel will never be emulated, and it's doubtful that his music will ever be rediscovered by the masses. But, if you like straight-froward music, this one is worth a listen. If you love traditional country music, you'll enjoy atleast 75% of this one, although the tired late-'60's pop/folk sound does creep in on a few numbers."

A mostly unknown singer , I discovered him by chance...

A C SHIELDS | melbourne , australia | 02/24/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Forgetting the many well known songs on this CD and concentrating solely on the feeling the listener gets from the singer , I would say this is an extremely good CD .

The Australian company Raven Records often release value packed collections - this is no exception .



The songs are well played and the arrangements tasteful , Johnny's voice taking you inside the heart of the songs .



Country fans should listen to someone different for a change , from back when image took a back seat to talent .

Johnny Darrell will not disappoint ."