Kenny Buttrey is the subject of Chapter 6 in John Lingan's book, "Backbeats." As you may or may not know, Buttrey had been playing sessions in Nashville since he was in grade school, prompting John Sebastian to write the lines, "Nashville cats, been playing since they're babies, Nashville cats, get work before they're two." Along with Charlie McCoy, he appeared on Dylan's "Blonde On Blonde" and "John Wesley Harding," not to mention countless others records in your collection.
This chapter led me to "Harpoon Man," a 1968 single from Charlie McCoy's album, "The World Of Charlie McCoy," featuring Buttrey on drums, which then led me to "Turn On Your Love Light" from the same record.
The album is an average garage rock, occasionally psychedelic collection of covers of the hits of the day. The arrangements are mostly standard, but the playing is above standard on most of it, and both McCoy and Buttrey stand out, especially on these two tracks.
5 comments:
I think Charlie McCoy first came to my attention playing on the Steve Miller Band's "Five" (Going to the Country). Discogs isn't helping me out with that, tho. Back then sidemen got their own albums. Even Tim Davis, drummer for Steve Miller, got one.
Wikipedia concurs:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Number_5_(Steve_Miller_Band_album)
Looking forward to plugging more of this musical thread today. Thanks for all you do. :)
I always loved John Wesley Harding that featured Buttrey and McCoy. Both appear on a ton of records.
I suggest a great book "That Thin, Wild Mercury Sound
Dylan, Nashville, and the Making of Blonde on Blonde" by Daryl Sanders.
Dylan knew of the "Harpoon Man" single by Charlie and eventually figured out he could get that sound on his records in Nashville with these players. There was a chance meeting between Dylan and McCoy in NYC and Charlie laid down his guitar accompaniment on "Desolation Row.," impressing Bob of how easily he knocked it out.
Bob in IL
Those were both smokin' li'l tracks, in my book. Thanks for the heads-up!
C in California
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