Disco de Jimmie Rodgers: “The Essential Jimmie Rodgers”

"The Essential Jimmie Rodgers" is highly recommended for any serious country music fan. If anyone is the genuine article, it is Jimmie. Listeners will recognize some old favorites among the tracks including "Frankie and Johnny", "Mule Skinner Blues" and "T for Texas". There are also fine versions of "Waitin' for A Train" and "In the Jailhouse Now" though some may prefer Jerry Lee Lewis' version of the former and the Webb Pierce recording of the latter. The most interesting tracks are less well known. These include "My Old Pal", "My Old Sunny South by the Sea" and one devoted not to a mother but a father (!)-"Daddy and Home". For this reviewer, the album hit its high point on the final track, a mournful "TB Blues", a reference to the disease that took Jimmie's life at 35. While Jimmie's yodeling style may not be for everyone, this reviewer considers this album a safe bet. Keep in mind that JR was elected to both the Country and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Further, the "Essential" series of albums rarely disappoints. These almost always sponsor well- produced compilations of our past heroes best efforts. "The Essential Jimmie Rodgers" certainly falls into that category.

Jimmie is "The Father of Country Music" and this collection of his best songs proves that. This collection covers all of the different kinds of music he has recorded, lots of the "Blue Yodel" recordings are included as well as many of other classics like "Away Out On That Mountain,""Waiting For a Train,""In The Jailhouse Now," (which was later a huge hit for Webb Pierce),"Daddy & Home," plus lots more. 20 tracks in all. I recommend this music to all of the fans out there as it is very adequate for most people (the people who don't want to invest in Rounder's series of complete Jimmie Rodgers recordings who want just an excellent summary of his great work), as the title of the collection and the title of this review says it all.

My dad had a scratched, old 45 single with "Jailhouse Now" and "Muleskinner Blues" which we used to listen to in the early '60s. Jimmie's music evokes the smell of Camel cigarettes, bacon frying, the warmth of standing in front of a fireplace, and lively games of checkers played as a child.

Listen, and times long past will live again.

"The Essential Jimmie Rodgers" is highly recommended for any serious country music fan. If anyone is the genuine article, it is Jimmie. Listeners will recognize some old favorites among the tracks including "Frankie and Johnny", "Mule Skinner Blues" and "T for Texas". There are also fine versions of "Waitin' for A Train" and "In the Jailhouse Now" though some may prefer Jerry Lee Lewis' version of the former and the Webb Pierce recording of the latter. The most interesting tracks are less well known. These include "My Old Pal", "My Old Sunny South by the Sea" and one devoted not to a mother but a father (!)-"Daddy and Home". For this reviewer, the album hit its high point on the final track, a mournful "TB Blues", a reference to the disease that took Jimmie's life at 35. While Jimmie's yodeling style may not be for everyone, this reviewer considers this album a safe bet. Keep in mind that JR was elected to both the Country and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Further, the "Essential" series of albums rarely disappoints. These almost always sponsor well- produced compilations of our past heroes best efforts. "The Essential Jimmie Rodgers" certainly falls into that category.

I'm rather embarrassed to adit that, as an avowed fan of Country music (REAL country music, now; none of that former pop-with-a-fiddle crap you hear on the radio these days), I never owned a Jimmie Rodgers album. I recently decided to rectify this horrible oversight and, so, picked up this jem of a CD.

Although the CD is in no way inclusive, you've only got three or four of the Blue Yodels on here, for instance, its still a great primer for those who aren't aware of what Jimmie Rodger's music was.

The sound production on here is great, and I've been enjoying playing it on my iPod over and over again lately (especially "Frankie and Johnnie" and "T.B. Blues"). Pick this CD up, you won't be dissapointed (and, if you ARE dissapointed, well...you ain't no music fan, my friend. No matter WHAT you say! :D )

Also check out: Hank Williams Sr, Lefty Fizzel, The Carter Family, Harry Smith's American Folk Music Collection, Joey Allcorn (Joey's a modern singer, but he's great, and several of his songs reference Mr. Rodgers).