Musical hero of the "Redneck Riviera" (that stretch of coastline between East Texas & West Louisiana) Jimmy Donley was a gifted songwriter / singer with a strong desire for self annihilation. His story is a tragic tale best summed up by one of his compositions....."Born to be A Loser"
Child of an abusive father, Donley carried on the family tradition through 5 marriages, car wrecks, baroom brawls & suicide attempts. He finally succeeded in 1963, but left a powerful body of songs that have a strong connection to Fats Domino. (He wrote a dozen or so songs for the Fat Man)
These recordings for DECCA were recorded in Nashville with the ever brilliant GRADY MARTIN on guitar and UNFORTUNATELY The Anita Kerr Singers.........
Owen Bradley (who produced these sides) offered to sell Donley's management contract to Huey Meaux after Donley threatened Bradley at gunpoint to "take those bitches off my record" (I assume meaning the Anita Kerr singers who sang back up on these sides). (THANKS TO DICK BLACKBURN for this quote)
If the names Rod Bernard, Jivin Gene Or Tommy McLain mean anything to you, then this cd is for you....Swamp Pop from a tortured master of the genre..........
1. Come Along
2. Child Love
3. Kickin' My Hound Around
4. Baby How Long
5. Please Baby Come Home
6. Born To Be A Loser
7. Radio, Jukebox, And T.V.
8. I'm Alone
9. The Shape You Left Me In
10. Arleeta
11. What Must I Do
12. Give Me My Freedom
13. Now I Know
14. I Can't Love You Like You Want Me To Do
15. Our Love
16. I've Been There
17. My Baby's Gone
18. I Gotta Go
19. South Of The Border
20. The Trail Of The Lonesome Pine
21. Child Love
22. Arleeta
23. Radio, Jukebox, And T.V.
24. I'm Alone
25. I'm Alone
