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Not Fade Away - Reissue Review from Issue #59 Sept-Oct 2005

Little Jimmy Dickens

Gonna Shake This Shack Tonight (Bear Family)

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At age 85, Opry patriarch Little Jimmy Dickens still delivers ballads reflecting mentor Roy Acuff’s searing vocal passion. Dickens found his earliest successes, however, with aggressive, even insouciant novelties starting in 1949 with “Take An Old Cold ‘Tater And Wait”. His Country Boys, centered around roaring twin lead guitars, snarling steel, and relentless rhythm (showcased here on four instrumentals), complemented him hand-in-glove. Bear Family, which chronicled Dickens’ complete Columbia output on two box sets, here offers 34 examples of raucous Dickens novelties and country boogies from 1950-59. Several Dickens standards, “Hillbilly Fever”, and the apocalyptic “I Got A Hole In My Pocket” made the cut. The rest, lesser-known gems include a bracing “Wabash Cannonball”, the amazing “Hey Worm! (You Wanna Wiggle)” and “Slow Suicide”, are consistent fun. Weary of bad country boogie, played by poseur retro bands? Hear it done right.

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Originally Featured in Issue #59 Sept-Oct 2005

Cover of Issue #59 Sept-Oct 2005

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