Record #0620: Telegram Sam / Cadillac – T. REX

Reprise 1078 (original) USA, Jan. 22, 1972
Words & Music by:  Side A – Marc Bolan; Side B – Bolan
Musicians: Marc Bolan (lead vocals, guitars), Steve Currie (bass), Bill Legend (drums), Mickey Finn (backing vocals, percussion), Tony Visconti, Mark Volman and Howard Kaylan (backing vocals) and an orchestra conducted by David Katz
Recording sessions: Produced by Tony Visconti at Rosenberg Studios, Copenhagen, Denmark, and at Chateau d'Hierouville Studios, Paris, France in 1971
Highest chart positions:  US #67, UK #1, Ireland #1, Germany #4, Norway #6, Finland #20

This was the first single release from T. Rex' 1972 album "The Slider". The single came out six months before the album.

In the UK this was the first single released on Marc Bolan's own label ("T-REX"). That release had two songs on the flip-side, the other one being "Baby Strange".

I remember recording "Telegram Sam" from a radio broadcast to a C-cassette when I was a kid. I often tried to sing along the song, though I didn't know any English. :) Still dig it!

List price:  Very Good+ is $3, Near Mint is $6

Record #0619: Even Tho / Sparkling Brown Eyes – WEBB PIERCE

Decca 9-29107 (original) USA, May 1954
Words & Music by:  Side A –  Willie Jones, Curt Peoples, Webb Pierce; Side B –  Billy Cox
Musicians: Webb Pierce (lead vocals), Side A - The Wilburn Brothers (backing vocals), Hank Garland (guitar), Chet Atkins (guitar), Doyle Wilburn (rhythm guitar), Bud Isaacs (steel guitar), Ernie Newton (bass), Tommy Jackson (fiddle), Jack Kay (fiddle), Farris Coursey (drums); Side B -  Grady Martin (guitar), Bud Isaacs (steel guitar), Jack Kay (fiddle), others unknown
Recording sessions: Castle Studio at the Tulane Hotel, Nashville, TN, Side A - Nov. 29, 1953; Side B - Feb. 23, 1954
Highest chart positions:  US Country #1

This was the 6th time Pierce topped the US Country charts.

Paul Cohen was running the Castle Studio and he probably also produced these sessions.

Now, after eight back-to-back posts of Webb Pierce and old school country music, the next post will be something different. It's amazing how majority of country lyrics and Finnish schlager music lyrics are similar (ie. mostly sad & depressing). :)

List price:  Very Good+ is $12.50, Near Mint is $25

Record #0618: It's Been So Long / Don't Throw Your Life Away – WEBB PIERCE

Decca 9-28725 (original) USA, Jun. 1953
Words & Music by:  Side A – Autry Grisham; Side B – Billy Wallace, Webb Pierce
Musicians: Webb Pierce (vocals), Grady Martin (guitar), Chet Atkins (guitar), Ray Edenton (rhythm guitar), Owen Bradley (piano), Ernie Newton (bass), Farris Coursey (drums), Dale Potter (fiddle), Tommy Jackson Jr (fiddle), an unknown steel player
Recording sessions: Castle Studio at the Tulane Hotel, Nashville, TN, Mar. 25, 1953
Highest chart positions:  Side A - US Country #1; Side B - US Country #9

This was Pierces fourth #1 hit. He had great guitar players in this session.

List price:  Very Good+ is $12.50, Near Mint is $25

Record #0617: Wondering / New Silver Bells – WEBB PIERCE

Decca 9-46364 (original) USA, Sep. 1951

I have two copies of the same pressing. The first post is here.

Record #0616: Any Old Time / We'll Find a Way – WEBB PIERCE

Decca 9-29974 (original) USA, Jun. 1956
Words & Music by:  Side A – Jimmie Rodgers; Side B – Webb Pierce
Musicians: Webb Pierce (vocals), Hank Garland (guitar), Harold Bradley (guitar), Sonny Burnette (steel guitar), Lightnin Chance (bass), Dale Potter (fiddle), Tommy Jackson (fiddle), Jack Kay (fiddle), Buddy Harman (drums)
Recording sessions: Music City Recordings, Nashville, TN, Side A - Mar. 8; Side B - May 16, 1956
Highest chart positions:  US Country #7

Webb Pierce is at the border of rockabilly on the A-side, but I guess the correct genre label for this is still western swing. His follow-up single "Teenage Boogie" was in the same area - maybe a bit closer to rockabilly.

Very often Pierce got both sides of the record in the charts, but not this time.

List price:  Very Good+ is $10, Near Mint is $20