The ultimate ballad

[Ken Byng]

Merle Haggard duetting with Ray Charles, with the Big E playing some beautifully atmospheric pedal steel. Nuff said.

[andrew marson]

That is a real treat, wonderfully understated throughout, and how's that for a line; "The way the calls are coming in you'ld think the line was dead". Do we know who the other vocalist is? Cheers, Andy.

[David Hartley]

That's really nice and that's the first time I have heard that too.
There is 'No place like home'.
My thoughts entirely
Thank you Mr KB for posting this.

[Ken Byng]

I bought this as a vinyl album back in the 80's. It was called Ray Charles & Friends. Little Hotel Room is my favourite track, but the album also contains the classic Ray & Willie number Seven Spanish Angels. Note Buddy Emmons' use of the E-Bow on the intro of this song - unusual and fits the song like a glove.

The production is superb, and the piano playing throughout (Hargus 'Pig' Robbins) is wonderful.

[Will C]

If, like me, you can't access it direct from the BSS page, here is the YouTube URL:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bKaItF1noI

[Will C]

Still blown away by the simple beauty of that whole D/Gm thing.

[Donny Johnston]

Stunning.

[Dave Nutt]

Thats nice, one of those songs that stick with you for days after hearing it.

[andrew marson]

Since nobody has answered my question as to the identity of the other voice, can I assume that it is Mr Emmons himself, in which case I can only say there is no justice in the world - not only a supremo player but a pretty good voice to boot! That's two queues I was at the back of when they were handing out talent. Pah.

[Ken Byng]

Andrew
Merle Haggard sings 2 verses and the choruses, and Ray Charles sings one verse and the choruses. While Buddy can kinda sing, he is not up there with these 2 stylists. Ray and Merle are 2 of my favourite singers, and have been for many years. Ray since 1960 and Merle since '69.