Monday, November 15, 2010

2 V Disc 78`s from World War 2



Here is something I don`t really know anything about, the V Disc. These were made only by the most popular, well known artists of the day. They were used as a morale booster for the troops. I would assume the artists performed these sides for free to help the war effort.



The Roy Acuff songs are unique recordings, meaning these are not just dubs from their records that were out at the time. Before I ever had a V Disc I just assumed that they were made from current records at the time. This is not the case apparently, at least with the Acuff recordings. I know nothing about the pop music side of disc No. 127.



The Carson Robison tracks are pretty interesting. Carson Robison was a pretty prolific song writer (as well as a hugely popular country recording artist in the 1920`s and early 1930`s, often partnering with Vernon Dalhart) and according to the label he wrote these tracks. They are good examples of things that were accepted as morale boosters to the troops and here at home. These tracks would likely be considered to have some racist type remarks in them by today`s "politically correct" standards. SO----listener, beware.



Click here to download V Disc 127 & 145

Saturday, November 6, 2010

Gene Martin - Country & Western Confidential - A Backstage Expose - Starday LP



Here is sort of a rare record. Gene Martin doing a comedy record. "Who is Gene Martin?" you may be saying right now. Gene was Benny Martin`s brother. He was a good guitar player and had what I`d call just a good plain country voice. I don`t really know any particulars on him except in the 1960`s and into the mid 1970`s he played rhythm guitar in Roy Acuff`s Smoky Mountain Boys (seems I have posted a lot of Smoky Mountain Boy related stuff lately). He also done some solo stuff with Roy on the shows. Also, he done a few comedy type numbers and sang duets with whatever girl singer Roy was using at the time, such as June Stearnes.
On this record, he does comedy almost entirely with impersonations of big country artists. Most of the tracks are pretty funny to me. He pretty much hits a bulls-eye with most of the impersonations too.



Click here to download Gene Martin - Country Music Confidential