Customer Reviews

C.W. McCall - Greatest Hits

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Before there ever was "Convoy," there was the "Old Home Filler Up and Keep on Truck'n Cafe," featuring the original C.W.McCall, an actor on several TV commercials for Metz Baking Company, the Iowa based maker of Old Home Bread. Bill Fries, who was to later "become" C.W. McCall, worked as an advertising agency executive and did C.W.'s voice-over on the commercials. I met the original actors who played C.W and the "truck stop waitress Mavis" in the early 70's at a mall appearance in South Dakota.

Here are some of the words in one of those commercials:

(C.W. is driving an Old Home bread truck)

Down I-29 we was cuttin' the fog/ Just me and old Sloan, old was my dog/ We had ten on the floor with a stereo, lay'n a strip/ Well I spied a sign that said "Eat Gas Now"/ So I decided to whip in and get some chow/ At the Old Home Filler Up and Keep on truck'n Cafe

Part of another ...

Well I went inside, she said what'll it be?/ I said "a cup of your best and a number three"/ And I came back with a quart of hot 'C' and a bone for Sloan ...

In another ad:

Well, I popped the clutch, gave tranny a spin/ Took the BeeBee town ramp and slid on in/ To the Old Home Filler up and Keep on Truck'n Cafe/

C.W. started a "thing" going with Mavis when he asked her one night to go to a movie with him. The response:

Well now that sounds like a whole lotta fun/ But we's gonna have to wait until the dishes was done/ And was it all right with me if she brought along her mother as a chaperone. I said, Why not ...

It winds up that "The four of us went to see a picture show ... took 'em to a drive-in theater over by Pisga to see "True Grit./ Saw the late late show, Old Sloan hit the sack/ And along about two o'clock I hauled 'em all back/ To the Old Home Filler Up and Keep on Truck'n Cafe

When Bill Fries became C.W. McCall and recorded "Old Home Filler Up and Keep On Truck'n Cafe", his singing career was launched.

Then "Convoy" sent him into orbit.

This guy could narrate anything and I'd buy it. Basically, I'm an office-bound New Yorker, and this CD takes me to places I'm not likely to see. I listened to it five times in a row when I received the package. Story songs, serious songs, funny songs, you name it. This would be fantastic to listen to on your next road trip. Life is short; enjoy some Americana while you can. 10-4, see you on the flip flop good buddy.

Just returned from our vacation to visit some relatives and drove over Wolf Creek twice. It hasn't changed from when I was a little girl, snowed on us going over and the DOT was blowing up a bolder on the way back. We tried to find this CD in Pagosa Springs but didn't have any luck. I told my HD that Amazon.com would have it and, sure enough, you do. I owned this CD years ago when it first came out, seems like it was on an 8 track. Good to hear it again, Wolf Creek, The Silverton and Black Bear Road are my favorites. I guess it helps when you've been there, done that.

This Is Such A Great CD! I first discoverd C.W. when I bought a copy of the Convoy 45 at a yrad sale for 25 cents I knew of the song but never really paid much attention but I got it home played it and couldn't belive how great it was.I have ben collecting C.W. memorabillia ever since all 6 albums,8-tracks,tapes and all 4 CD's 1 of which is not available here on Amazon the other one won't come up if you search C.W.McCall its American Spirit a real good CD anyway you'll love this album I know anybody who truly apperciates good music will love and respect C.W.McCall

Contrary to a previous reviewer, CW McCall isn't Chip Davis... technically it's Chip Davis' music and the words and voice of William Fries, who has used the name CW McCall for other projects that used his voice...

However, that point is moot, when you slap the disc in and have a wave of memories overtake you like it did me (My dad wore out his "Black Bear Road" 8 track and mourned its loss ever since- till I bought two copies of this disc... one for him and one for me.. ).

Well, all I can really say is that they don't make em like this anymore.

This CD has some of the best tracks and the worst track ever from the legend that is CW.. What I liked least was 'Roses for Mama' not a good track for driving across Europe to. GOOD thats out the way... Best track is a tie between Aurora Borealis for its atmosphere and wonder and care for nature -- who needs big cities anyway !! AND 'Classified'.. superb!! Comedy, Skill, Story telling at its best. Then Four wheel drive, reminders of the Wilderness album... Convoy - what ever happened to Black Bear Road - there is an audience in GB here in Scotland, where we can sing along but can't get our hands on it .. Friends of mine in Germany in the car club would KILL to be able to listen all day long to this champion

Knowing "Convoy" from years ago, I was happy to find so many other 'songs' on this CD that have now become my favorites too. It's a great 'road trip' CD, especially for those interested in recreational four wheeling, and specific to these tunes, those having visited the southwestern areas of Colorado.

I listened to this music on 8 track when I was driving truck, and I got a copy on cassette, and now my 11 year old son plays that tape just about every time we get in the car. My favorites are Wolf Creek Pass, Convoy, and Classifieds. You can just picture all that's going on in the lyrics and feel like you're a part of it all! Love it!!!

Listen to "There won't be no country Music there won't be No Rock and Roll" before they vote on things.

When I listen to this song I realize how accurate he was almost 30 years ago.

"And the whole damn world is gonna be made of styrene"

Remember the popular advertising commercial of the Indian crying at all of the pollution. It was playing roughly the same time.

Lot of good old songs. Folk songs the way it was meant to be.

I have really enjoyed listening to this cd. It reminds me of my days as a kid. My dad listened to him all of the time it seems. Also, a lot of the places he sings about is close to where I live. The only song I'm missing is Roy. Where can I find it? Any ideas?