Promised Land

Johnnie Allan - Promised Land (2011) {Ace Records CDCHD380 rec 1961-1983}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 305 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 148 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 31 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1961-83, 2011 Ace Records | CDCHD 380
Swamp Pop / Cajun / Folk / World / Blues / North American Traditions

The best of Johnnie Allan’s swamp pop performances for Jin and Viking dating from the late 1950s through the 80s, featuring his all-time classic ‘The Promised Land’ and the local anthem ‘South To Louisiana’. A glance at the release number indicates that Johnnie Allan’s ‘Promised Land’ dates back to the early days of Ace’s CD releases, 1992 in fact. Remember, this was the time before full colour reproduction, even label scans. Some 20 years later, this set has been given a welcome facelift and generally freshened up; note the new cover design for a start.

This is a compilation of demo songs released by their recording label in 2001. Although the sound quality is obviously not as well recorded and produced as those which made it to the regular albums, they are still very good. And included here are 3 unreleased cuts: Corrugated Road, Running On Empty and Suicide. All of them worth to get. Definitely this is not for starters, but if you're a fan of Flamborough Head you'll probably like it.

A characteristically humongous (8-CD) box set from the wonderful obsessive-compulsives at Bear Family, documenting the Killer's '60s tenure at Smash Records. Lewis made consistently good music during this period, but the combination of his personal scandals and the British Invasion made him a pariah to radio programmers until mid-decade, when he returned to his country roots. Highlights of the set include the entirety of a Texas live show, with Lewis and his crack band rendering various early rock standards at dangerously high (i.e., proto punk) speed, some excellent duets with his (then) wife Linda Gail, and gorgeous renditions of standards like Willie Nelson's "Funny How Time Slips Away" and Merle Haggard's "Lonesome Fugitive." Lewis fans with deep pockets should grab this one immediately…