Conference napalm::guitar

    Some notes from the record-jacket from Lonnie Mack's first album - The
    Wham of That Memphis Man - Lonnie Mack (Fraternity #F1014) circa 1964.
    
    "This album goes far beyond his smash single hits on Guitar for
    Fraternity - "Memphis" and "Wham!". It catches the exciting essence of
    his work on stage."
    "It features his "sound", that distinctive mixture of the "twang bar"
    and his guitar amplifier that gives an organ-like effect. And it
    certainly shows off his style, part bules, part church, and all of it
    blessed with that market that crosses country with rythm-and-blues into
    a pop product."
    "... he was raised in Indiana, still can't read music...."
    "He has a fine ear for good but obscure material and can reshape it
    into his own individual style."
    
    
    

    
    Lonnie Mack has been around since the early sixties when he went into
    the charts with an instrumental version of Chuck Berry's "Memphis".
    By the late sixteis he was signed to Elektra records and doing
    country-rock stuff.  In 1969 he had the dubious honor of playing bass
    on the Doors' "Roadhouse Blues".
    
    He continued performing throught he seventies but what recordings he
    managed to make were released with little promotion and were
    unsuccessful.  In the early eighties, Alligator records signed him up
    (he was one of their first white artists) and he has recorded two or
    three albums for them.  Since leaving Alligator he has done one for
    Epic.
    
    Basically he plays blues mixed with country and rock and roll, sort of
    the prototype white southern blues/rocker.  His trademark axe is a
    Flying V with a Bigsby vibrato added.
    
    							Brian

    Lonnie plays 3 to 4 times a year here in Greenville, SC at the local
    blues club. (Al's Pumphouse).  I caught a glimpse of him about two
    months ago on Saturday Night Live.  As they break for commercials, they
    always pan over to the band's guitar player, and there was Lonnie Mack
    with what'shisname and they both had Flying V's.  Unfortunately, I only
    got to hear about 15 seconds of the "jam". 
    
    BTW, what is that guy's name on SNL?  G.E. Smith or sumthin' like
    that...

Stevie Ray Vaughn plays on several cuts on his first Alligator record.
Definately worth checking out!!  

His third Ally record (...something something..and Dance Halls) has a
song that kinda sums up his style..."Too Rock for County, too Country for
Rock 'n Roll".    BTW, David Lindley plays slide guitar all over this 
record 8-)

_gary

    
    Re: .4
    
    Sorry, that album you mention with Lindley is his first for Epic.