COWTOWN RECORDS 677

GENE RAY

Nov 57

45-677-A - Rock And Roll Fever

(Gene Ray)   (Starrite BMI)

  If I’d Been Asked

(Mary L Miller / John Stephenson)   (Starrite BMI)

45-677-B - Achin’ Heart

(Harry Fousse / Jack Phillps / John Stephenson)   (Starrite BMI)

Love Proof

(Mary L Miller / John Stephenson)   (Starrite BMI)
COWTOWN RECORDS 677
Po Box 1694, Fort Worth TX.

Source: Terry Gordon

Four months after cutting “I Didn’t Mean To Fall In Love” / “I Lost My Head” (Cowtown 646), Gene was thrown back into the studio with 4 more songs to tackle, including one of his own.

Mary Miller and John Stephenson penned two of the tracks, whilst John added his name to a third side (standard practice in the fifties if you’re the label owner.) But perhaps John balked a little at putting his name on a heroic slice rock Rock & Roll and left Gene as the sole contributor. This track stomps along like a galloping stallion with fine, breathless vocals and a great guitar solo.

Now Gene’s got a vocal range that seems to fit most musical categories and he’s on fine form on the first track. The band seem to enjoy being let loose on such a torrid song and their arrangement is as tight as an ants’ butt. “If I’d Been Asked” is a bit of a let-down after the first track. Whiny country; albeit played by a great band.

“Love Proof” is also a pretty good country / hillbilly bopper. Love the one note “Slip” by the guitarist near the end of the intro – like he’s suddenly realized the recording light is on and he desperately tries to play catch up without slipping his fingers into position. (He makes up for it during his solo.). The song itself is a bit clunky and Gene seems to struggle with the phrasing of the lyrics, but he soldiers on like a trooper. “Aching Heart” is a bit of a weeper with an Ink Spots type intro. Yawn……..