When
Dick Curless' truck-driving hit "Tombstone Every Mile" became a national hit in 1965, few knew that the singer was from Maine and had been banging around on small regional labels for the previous 15 years. This album, recently reissued with beautiful sound by those amazing music freaks at Sundazed, contains the original album, which in addition to the hit also includes great versions of "Streets of Laredo," "King of the Road," and "Nine Pound Hammer." There are credible versions of
Johnny Horton's "Teardrops in My Heart" and
Leon McAuliffe's' "Sunny Side of the Mountain." In addition to the covers, sung with
Curless', deep, moving, clear-as-water baritone, are a few unique originals: the borderline rockabilly "Cupid's Arrow," the honky tonk ballad "Heart Talk," and the folksy roots hillbilly waltz of "Down by the Old River." Issued as part of the label's
Truckstops, Broken Hearts & Honky Tonk Heroes series, this is an essential brick in the country music wall. ~ Thom Jurek