Various The Gals Of The Big 'D' Jamboree (CD)

(Dragon Street Records) 29 tracks

It's no surprise that the liner notes to Gals of the Big D Jamboree were written by Dallas rockabilly lady Kim Lenz; the influence of these women on today's female rockers is clear to hear. In the fifties, the Big D Jamboree at the Dallas Sportatorium, which served as a wrestling arena on other nights, was a popular venue for the rockabilly and honky-tonk acts of the day. The female exponents of this style of music at the Big D went in a slightly different direction to their contemporaries, being more aggressive and far more overtly sexual.

The 29 songs on this collection are somewhat uneven, but extensively documented with a 21-page booklet. The songs by Corsicana native Helen Hall highlight the mutual influence of rockabilly and country; the first five tracks on the CD are honky-tonk music by Hall, while the last four are primitive rockabilly demos. Other highlights include Charline Arthur (who scandalously performed in pants) with “Welcome to the Club,” Janis Martin's live version of “Cracker Jack” and Ramona Reed's amazing “If I Could Only Learn to Yodel.” As several of the recordings are radio transcriptions and some songs date back to 1950 or earlier, the sound quality varies considerably. Likewise, the 29 songs cover a wide range stylistically as the music has evolved. Sherri Davis, a pretty brunette, toured with Elvis and Buddy Holly (one version of “Broken Promises” actually features Holly) and later performed with the Light Crust Doughboys, Esquivel and Lawrence Welk. Her versions of “Bop City” and “Just a Little Bit” are definitely standouts. Some of the songs on Gals of the Big D Jamboree are low-key honky-tonk crooners, some are novelty numbers and some are just forgettable. Some really rock, though, and that's where it pays off.

Various Artists – Vielfalt auf Vinyl & CD

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