Customer Reviews

Thank You Friends: The Ardent Records Story

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If you think that music in Memphis, Tennessee has been limited to the Blues; the 1950s Rock-a-billy by Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Johnny Cash; the great soul music that came out of the Stax and American Studios in the 1960s; or some of the current Southern Rap/Hip Hop artists, this CD is here to let you in on an underground secret. In the 1960s and early 1970s, there were quite a few young, suburban, white boys in Memphis who were quite heavily under the influence of British Invasion Rock like: the Beatles, the Who, and the Kinks. And lots of these British Rock loving, Southern boys formed bands that gravited to, and recorded at Ardent Studios.

The big song here that most people will probably be familiar with, though by a cover version, is "In The Street" by the band Big Star. It was later covered by Cheap Trick and used as the theme of the Fox Network's "That 70s Show".

This two disc collection also contains Big Star's classic "September Gurls", Tommy Hoehn's classic "Blow Yourself Up", and Chris Bell's classic "You and Your Sister". And for those interested in hearing radically changed cover versions there's the Hot Dog's garage rock cover of Johnny Cash's "Walk The Line". 44-songs were chosen for this collection, and I can honestly say that I really like at least 35 of them.
This collection shows a side of Memphis music that is usually hidden from all listeners except for Power-Pop collectors.

Great rock n roll never heard of any of these bands back in the day but i'm glad i did now. If your thinking about buying it , do you won't be sorry. Frank

Two songs on this issue are by power pop pioneers Cargoe. Check out "Cargoe Live In Memphis".. Knows as the Best Live Band in Memphis at the time, this is a very early Terry Manning venture which sounds even better after being remastered for CD. A unique band for the time with songs that take a bit of listening to fully appreciate. But after hearing the CD a few times, they get stuck in your head and you find yourself wanting to listen to it again. The lyrics are positive, multi-meaning, and mystical at the same time. The "Live In Memphis" CD recently released on the "Lucky 7" label is probably the only other recording of the band from that time, and worth a listen if just to appreciate the Live "edgy" feel the band was famous for..