This exciting CD reveals a completely unknown chapter in the already implausible - though true - story of the Prisonaires, the prison inmates from Nashville who got onto Sun Records in Memphis in 1953 and whose best song, 'Just Walkin' In The Rain', became an international pop hit for Johnny Ray. In this CD you'll find: eleven astonishing songs from an unissued 'concert' recorded at the Tennessee State Penitentiary - featuring several Prisonaires members never heard until now! Fascinating spoken introductions to the songs by second tenor Alfred Brooks - and a message from the penitentiary warden Lynn Bomar! Six alternative versions of songs recorded for Sun Records! All eleven vocal group tracks by The Solotones and the Marigolds (renamed versions of the Prisonaires led by Johnny Bragg). A comprehensive booklet by Martin Hawkins containing many new interviews and insights into the story of the Prisonaires, one of the first R&B vocal groups to record and have hits in the South. It explains the background to the unissued recordings, and contains many rare and fascinating photos and illustrations. -- The new Prisonaires titles reveal an even wider range of vocal harmonies and musical abilities, influences and styles than the Sun recordings. The Prisonaires rock with 'Caldonia' and 'Bony Moronie', they sing sincere versions of 'Suppertime' and 'Gentle Hands', they reprise their best-known songs including 'Just Walkin' In The Rain', and they make fun with 'The Boastin' Texan' and other titles. -- Get this CD and you'll hear the Prisonaires as never before; you'll have completed your Prisonaires collection; and you'll have the complete story of the Marigolds/Solotones. -- This CD is one of three discs telling the complete story of the Prisonaires and of their lead singer, Johnny Bragg. The early part of the tale has been told in our CD of Sun recordings, BCD 15523: The Prisonaires - 'Just Walkin' In The Rain'. This CD, 'Only Believe...' tells the middle part of the story. Watch out later for our planned CD 'World Of Make Believe,' containing all the rare and unissued recordings by Johnny Bragg as a solo vocalist.
- 1. When The Saints Go Marching In - Prisonaires, The
- 2. In The Garden - Prisonaires, The
- 3. Bony Moronie - Prisonaires, The
- 4. Suppertime - Prisonaires, The
- 5. Caldonia - Prisonaires, The
- 6. Gentle Hands - Prisonaires, The
- 7. Just Walkin' In The Rain - Prisonaires, The
- 8. The Boastin' Texan - Prisonaires, The
- 9. Message From Prison Warden L.. - Prisonaires, The
- 10. A Prisoner's Prayer - Prisonaires, The
- 11. Only Believe - Prisonaires, The
- 12. Señor Siskin - Prisonaires, The
- 13. Rollin' Stone - Marigolds, The
- 14. Why Don't You - Marigolds, The
- 15. Don't Say Tomorrow - Marigolds, The
- 16. Rollin' Stone (alternative t.. - Marigolds, The
- 17. Front Page Blues - Solotones, The
- 18. Pork And Beans - Solotones, The
- 19. Two Strangers - Solotones,
- 20. Love You - Love You - Love You - Solotones,
- 21. Juke Box Rock'N'Roll - Solotones,
- 22. It's You Darling, It's You - Solotones,
- 23. Baby Please - Prisonaires,
- 24. What'll You Do Next - Prisonaires,
- 25. There Is Love In You - Prisonaires,
- 26. Rockin' Horse - Prisonaires,
- 27. Two Strangers - Prisonaires,
- 28. Lucy You Know I Want You - Prisonaires,
Artist: PRISIONAIRES
Title: "UNISSUED & RARE - ONLY BELIEVE"
Label: BEAR FAMILY
Condition: New
Media: CD