Before They’re Gone
Weird but true: The last music playing on my computer last Thursday night as I prepared to head out of town for a couple days was The Essential Carl Smith (1950-1956). The first thing I saw on returning to my computer Sunday morning was the news that Carl Smith had passed away at the age of 82.
Now, of course, all kinds of sites that wouldn’t have touched a story about Carl Smith last week – he had, after all, gracefully withdrawn from the spotlight many decades ago – are eulogizing him. Well, good. But as much as people say and write about the passing of this Country Music Hall of Famer, it won’t be enough. Not until it inspires a whole new generation to discover the music of one of the best – and, with his incorporation of rockabilly and western swing elements, boldest – honky tonk stylists of the ’50s. Hank and Lefty seem to get all the attention now, but Smith was one of the most popular male vocalists of the period.
The following clip is a timely reminder that we need to appreciate our legends while they’re still with us: Marty Robbins, Webb Pierce, and Carl Smith are all gone now, as is June Carter, who introduces the men (including then-spouse Smith) here. They don’t make ‘em like this anymore.
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Thanks for posting. I might consider Carl Smith for my next biography, after I finish writing Marty’s story. They are two of my special favorites.
That would be great. There doesn’t seem to be much available on him.
Thanks for stopping by.
Great clip
Carl’s 50s recordings were released by Bear Family and Collectors CHoice Music issued a CD of his 60s hits – both items are available from the Ernest Tubb Record Shop as is a nice collection on Jasmine plus some later remakes
I’m one who is not particularly familiar with Carl Smith’s music. I’ve been enjoying the clips that people have been posting though. I found the Hits collection that you mention on Emusic and will download it as soon as my downloads refresh.
Carl Smith is definitely one of my favorite male artists on the 1950’s and his ability to adapt to the changing landscape of country music during that decade was remarkable. If only Hank Williams Sr. had been able to sing as well as Carl who knows how famous he might have become! (just kidding) Its because I spend so much of my listening time on great country artists from the 1940’s through the 1960’s that I find today’s AirHead Top 40 Contemporary Country so pathetic. Not only does the vast majority of current Nashville output not begin to measure up to great country music from the past, most of it isn’t very good by any objective standard regardless of genre! Crikey….