Rockabillies Hillbillies & Honky Tonkers / Various Rockabillies Hillbillies & Honky Tonkers / Various CD

The Big Howdy record company has never been properly anthologised before now. It released a wide selection of rock'n'roll rockabilly, hillbilly and honky tonk country between 1959 and the mid-70s. Originally based in Bogalusa, Louisiana, it later moved across the river to Mississippi. It specialised in releasing local artists and racked up over 50 releases - a large number for such a small operation. Artists include former Sun recording artist Luke McDaniel, here recording as his alter ego Jeff Daniels, the great honky-tonker Jimmy Swan, rockabilly heroes Vern Pullens and Dayward Penny, plus the sublime voice of Wayne Morse. 25 of the 33 tracks have never been issued in the UK before while four are completely unreleased. The 20-page booklet contains rare photos and a full discography.

1. Baby Baby - E.J. Saucier 2. Good and Lonesome - Jimmy Swan 3. Why Did You Change Your Mind - Jimmy Swan 4. It's Your Turn to Cry - Jimmy Swan 5. No One Else Love's a Broken Heart - Jimmy Swan 6. Cupid Shot Me - Bob Toney ; Jeannie Barnes 7. Bad News - Tommy Tygart 8. Ticket to Nowhere - Tommy Tygart 9. Don't Turn God Away - the Weems Brothers and Billy Still 10. Unfortunate Stranger - B.J. Johnson 11. Who Am I Gonna Believe - B.J. Johnson 12. Shackles and Chains - B.J. Johnson 13. Somebody's Dum-Dum - James McManus 14. Contagious Lovin' - James McManus 15. The Son of Casey Jones - James McManus 16. You, Mr. Moon and Me - James McManus 17. Pull Down the Blinds Mama - Wayne Morse 18. Don't Hide Your Heart - Wayne Morse 19. Come Back Baby - Dayward Penny 20. The Flusterated Monkey - Dayward Penny 21. If I Cry - Vern Pullens 22. Brown Eyed Gal - Harold Cavallero 23. Broken Heart - Harold Cavallero 24. My Rose of Old Pawnee - Gary Cooper 25. Switch Blade Sam - Jeff Daniels 26. Uh-Huh-Huh - Jeff Daniels 27. Foxy Dan - Jeff Daniels 28. Bad Luck - Danny 29. Lola Lee - Jim Foster 30. Pity Poor Me - Jim Foster 31. I Met Her in the Moonlight - Johnny ; the Tag-A-Longs 32. Hard Luck - Billy Blank 33. Set 'Em Up Joe - Ernie Chaffin