We All Got Together And.../Storyteller

RELEASE
June 26, 2007
LABEL
Hux Records
GENRES
Country, Progressive Country, Country-Pop, Singer/Songwriter, Country-Folk

Album Review

Two of Tom T. Hall's 1972 albums are combined on one CD on this British reissue, which adds historical liner notes. Since both of these albums did quite well commercially, each reaching the country Top 20, it comes as a bit of a surprise to learn (according to the back cover blurb) that this release marks the first time these LPs have been on compact disc. True to the title of the latter of the two records -- and true for many of Hall's records -- the emphasis is very much on story-songs, often wry, sometimes sentimental, and usually with more of a twist and more humor than many such country tunes. Some of Hall's better-known compositions from the era are here, such as (from We All Got Together And...) "Pamela Brown" and "The Monkey That Became President," and (from Storyteller) "Old Dogs, Children and Watermelon Wine." Some change of pace from the usual measured tale-telling is supplied by the gospel-oriented "Me and Jesus," which gave Hall a Top Ten country single, and "More About John Henry" (a saucier variation of the folk tune inspired by the famous folk character), which was a milder hit. So much storytelling at once, usually set to amiable country-pop arrangements, might be too much for more casual fans. Then again, a Tom T. Hall fan is interested in story-songs almost by definition, which makes this a good value to pick up for listeners who want more than best-ofs in their collections.
Richie Unterberger, Rovi

Track Listing

  1. Turn It On, Turn It On, Turn It On
  2. Souvenirs
  3. Pamela Brown
  4. Bourbon Man
  5. The Promise and the Dream
  6. She Gave Her Heart to Jethro
  7. Coot Marseilles Blues
  8. The Monkey That Became President
  9. Pratt Street
  10. High Steppin' Proud
  11. Me and Jesus
  12. More About John Henry
  13. When Nobody Wants Your Body Anymore
  14. Windy City Anne
  15. The Story of Your Life Is in Your Face
  16. Willy the Wandering Gypsy and Me
  17. St. Louis Named a Shoe After Me
  18. Old Dogs, Children and Watermelon Wine
  19. The Rolling Mills of Middletown
  20. Grandma Whistled
  21. A Piece of the Road
  22. One More Song for Jesus