Customer Reviews

Little Darlin Sounds Johnny Paycheck: In Beginning

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Most folks think Johnny Paycheck came and went with "Take This Job and Shove It"; but folks, this release by Little Darlin' Records takes you back to the late 1950's when Johnny was starting to cut his teeth. This is definately a step back in time, as the recordings are original and remain in Mono (just like AM radio). There is no way I can rate any of the songs found here, as they are originals and there is nothing to compare them to when you consider this was Paycheck's first effort. I CAN tell you that these are true honky-tonk songs and that they sound like they are being performed more by a polished professional that an off-the-street kid (as Johnny was, at the time). You will instantly recognize Johnny's voice, as it has not changed much; but you will no doubt hear the influences of George Jones and of course, Faron Young (who's band Johnny played in). The recordings are not crisp, and in fact, there are spots where the song will "skip" or "distort"; but, they are just as they were recorded, and make the listening experience that much more enjoyable. You owe it to yourself to explore these early recordings, and I also recommend "On His Way", another early Johnny Paycheck release under the same record company.

People will try and say that this recording comes in all of its mono (audio) glory, or something along those lines however, it's just plain bad audio recording and I was quite surprised they (Koch) didn't clean it up. Get all his other "Little Darling" recordings on Koch but skip this one. More frustrating than anything else.

Terrible non-re-engineering; audio cut-outs; weird "stereo" pans; disorienting. Not worth it even for collectors and Paycheck devotees. The individual "preview" tracks don't show the flaws so I bought this with the expectation that I was going to get some rare gems instead of slop.

The beginning - for Donny Young, the honky tonk singer from Ohio, started out playing bass for the famous Jones Boys. George Jones had finally met his match, both men fused with fiery tempers, and at times going head to head, but at the same time there was also a learning process in the making, gradually learning from one another their legendary singing styles. There is a definite purity in Paycheck's voice, especially on these early Little Darlin' recordings. Notably, Johnny's voice declined a little, especially in the Epic years, however, still hit the height of his career with the, "Take This Job And Shove It" album, a milestone achievement for Paycheck...this is a Koch cd, there is a minor defect pertaining to the sound of this recording, (one song actually skips at the end), still an overall good sound with the best resources available, and the music is countryfied and loaded with steel, fiddle, and Paycheck's unique voice - also recommended is the second album of this series, On His Way, - Bear Family has the best one of all, the "Shakin' The Blues" compilation, consisting of twenty nine songs on one disc, early Paycheck recordings are the best.