Charlie Adams & The Lone Star Playboys / Cattin' Around

Charlie Adams may never have had a hit of any measure, but as a songwriter and effective singer, he left behind a small treasure-trove of quality Texas dancehall Western swing, country, and proto-rockabilly recordings on this excellent 30-track collection from Bear Family, Cattin' Around.

Although Adams never considered himself a singer, he vocalizes effectively on tracks like Black Land Blues, Baby Let Me Kindle Your Flame, You've Wounded the Heart, I'm Drinking and Thinking Over You, and Gloomy Sunday. Top-notch backing on all these sides (especially the later Columbia sessions that feature Adams' regular working band) is a big plus and Adams' story is told effectively by Kevin Coffey's excellent notes.

1. T.T. Boogie
2. Black Land Blues
3. Stop Your Bawling Baby
4. I'm An Army Man
5. I Lost An Angel
6. Cattin' Around
7. Baby Let Me Kindle Your Flame
8. I'm A Railroad Daddy
9. Before You Say I Do
10. Hey Liberace!
11. Sugar Diet
12. Waltzing With Sin
13. My Blue Monday
14. You're Getting Too Old
15. Gloomy Sunday
16. Goodbye Baby
17. Jolie Fille (Pretty Girl)
18. Hidin' Out
19. Plain Horse Sense
20. Baby, I Want You So
21. I Hope You're Happy Now
22. If A Beer Bottle Had A Nipple On It
23. You've Wounded The Heart
24. Skip One, Skip Two
25. That's How I Want It To Be
26. I'm Drinking And Thinking Over You
27. Pistol Packin' Mama Has Laid Her Pistol Down
28. I'm Gonna Put My Foot Down
29. Your Memories Make Me Cry
30. I'll Remember Your Love In My Prayers