VA - Grady Martin: Roughneck Blues 1949-1956 (2007)
EAC | FLAC | Tracks (Cue & Log) ~ 375 mb | MP3 320 kbps CBR ~ 193 mb | Scans included | 74 min
Country, Rockabilly | Label: Rev-Ola Bandstand | Rel: 2007
Strictly speaking, this isn't a Grady Martin CD so much as it's a compilation of recordings on which his guitar work as a session player figures prominently, although he's credited as the leader of the featured or backup group on a few of the cuts. Still, on most of these 32 tracks from 1949 to 1956 he was a hired hand, lending his licks to a wealth of hillbilly and rockabilly performers, including stars like Brenda Lee, Little Jimmy Dickens, Red Foley, Burl Ives, Johnny Horton, Wayne Raney, and a pre-fame Buddy Holly. There's even a bit of blues via his help on sides by Cecil Gant, as well as appearances on singles of various styles by a whole bunch of singers known only to collectors. Should you be interested in this material mostly for Martin's contributions, his guitar riffs are certainly excellent whether he's playing country boogie or moving into rock & roll, sometimes reeling off some scorching solos, at others offering more subordinate, sturdy work in service of the particular song.