Sixteen Tons The Kentucky Legend
Country Rewind, 2020
8/10
Listen to Sixteen Tons The Kentucky Legend
A legendary singer-songwriter and guitarist, Merle Travis forged a multi-decade career that spanned country, folk, blues, gospel, Americana and swing sounds with his trademark finger picking. Here, we’re treated to 15 of his timeless tunes, some of which would go on to be recorded by B.B. King and Stevie Wonder.
“Cincinnati Lou” starts the listen with Travis’ smooth vocals alongside agile, country influenced, rock’n’roll, and “Cannonball Rag” follows with a quick pace of soft horns and spirited guitar work in the instrumental setting.
Elsewhere, “Louisiana Boogie” indeed gets your body moving with strategic backing vocals, while “Sixteen Tons”, one of his biggest hits, brings brushed percussion to a bare setting of retro fun. “I Am A Pilgrim” then recruits a dreamy quality amid angelic backing vocals and warm guitar lines.
Deeper still, “Fat Gal”, one of the album’s best, displays strong vocal prowess from Travis as he offers vivid storytelling where female vocals add much to the playful climate, and “That’s All” finishes the listen with an oldies feel, where some of the best guitar playing on the album resides.
Travis passed away in 1983 and most of his early work is out of print and certainly not available on CD. Country Rewind collects some of his best work here, effectively keeping his inimitable and timeless songwriting alive in one convenient location where it will sound great for decades to come.
Travels well with: Rex Allen- America’s Last Singing Cowboy; Rex Allen Jr.- Then & Now