Hank Lockin - "Bummin' Around" (1967) - RCA Camden
Howdy Partners,
We're slumming like a couple of hobos tonight on Vinyl in the Valley. Bummin' around from one end of the tiki bar to the other while some sweet country tunes emanate from the turntable courtesy of Mr. Hank Locklin.
Throughout the Fifties and Sixties, Locklin would record various "concept" albums (mostly for RCA) done in his own distinctive honky tonkin' style. Sometimes these records would be dedicated to one songwriter in particular (like Hank Williams or Roy Acuff) or sometimes they would be held together by a theme like 1958's Foreign Love or 1964's Irish Songs, Country Style. In 1967 he released Bummin' Around with songs mostly about globe-trottin', philanderin' and all around slummin' it.
I ain't got a dime, don't care where I'm going!
One might think that the title track was an attempt to emulate Roger Miller's huge 1964 hit, "King of the Road". However, the song "Bumming Around" was a hit for Jimmy Dean (the sausage-guy) way back in 1952. (Dean Martin also had a great version released in 1965!) Both Locklin and Roger Miller were important artists in the development of what would eventually be known as "The Nashville Sound", i.e. honky tonk music fleshed out with string arrangements, background choruses and slicker productions.
On the back cover of the album, Locklin is billed as "A Country Man for All Countries" and with songs like the title track, "Headin' Down the Wrong Highway", "Kentucky Waltz", "Foreign Love", "Blue Hawaii" & "Filipino Baby", you're willing to believe it. But don't let that smile on the cover painting fool ya, Locklin is as horny as toad and doesn't care who knows it!
Take the song "Filipino Baby", for instance. Sure it seems innocent enough but there's definitely some potential for creepiness...
Another whiskey barkeep!
RATING: 4 Warships Leaving Manila out of 5
Throughout the Fifties and Sixties, Locklin would record various "concept" albums (mostly for RCA) done in his own distinctive honky tonkin' style. Sometimes these records would be dedicated to one songwriter in particular (like Hank Williams or Roy Acuff) or sometimes they would be held together by a theme like 1958's Foreign Love or 1964's Irish Songs, Country Style. In 1967 he released Bummin' Around with songs mostly about globe-trottin', philanderin' and all around slummin' it.
I ain't got a dime, don't care where I'm going!
One might think that the title track was an attempt to emulate Roger Miller's huge 1964 hit, "King of the Road". However, the song "Bumming Around" was a hit for Jimmy Dean (the sausage-guy) way back in 1952. (Dean Martin also had a great version released in 1965!) Both Locklin and Roger Miller were important artists in the development of what would eventually be known as "The Nashville Sound", i.e. honky tonk music fleshed out with string arrangements, background choruses and slicker productions.
On the back cover of the album, Locklin is billed as "A Country Man for All Countries" and with songs like the title track, "Headin' Down the Wrong Highway", "Kentucky Waltz", "Foreign Love", "Blue Hawaii" & "Filipino Baby", you're willing to believe it. But don't let that smile on the cover painting fool ya, Locklin is as horny as toad and doesn't care who knows it!
Take the song "Filipino Baby", for instance. Sure it seems innocent enough but there's definitely some potential for creepiness...
When the warship left Manila sailing proudly o'er the sea
Many sailors hearts were filled with sad regret
Looking backward to this Island where they spent such happy hours
Making love to every pretty gal they've met...
She's my Filipino baby she's my treasure and my pet
Her teeth are bright and pearly and her hair is black as jet
Her lips are sweet as honey and her heart is true I know
And I love my little Filipino baby...
RATING: 4 Warships Leaving Manila out of 5
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