Collector's Choice Music has decided to release on compact disc, one of Mel Tillis' most famous records 'Me and Pepper.' Once the world of records faded out, the only way you could find any of these classic songs was on different greatest hits compilations. This was fine if you only wanted one or two songs, but there was no way to have this whole album on a CD until now!
When Mel was very young, he formed a stutter as a result from an illness. He soon realized that he didn't stutter when he sang. After he got out of the Air Force in 1955, he decided music was the route in life that he would pursue. He spent the first portion of his career on Columbia Records and later went to MGM Records.
Eventually, Mel ended up on MCA Records and that's when he released "Coca Cola Cowboy." At this point, his contract was up with MCA and he decided to follow his producer to Elekta Records and the first record released was Me and Pepper.
Mel Tillis has dabbled in just about everything from music to movies and one of his hobbies is painting. One thing that always made him so well liked was that his music was always different. Sometimes his music would be solid country and then other times it would be more Western Swing. His band, The State Siders, have been with him for years, and the chemistry they share is undeniable. One thing that is certain, you don't see the quality that his band displays everyday. If you're a history buff, Colin Escott, who is a Grammy Award-winning musicologist, wrote the liner notes for this album.
The first song is "Blind In Love." This is an awesome tune that shows off the classic sound of Mel Tillis. It's about a man who is admitting that he is so in love with a woman that he's blind. "You can treat me anyway you have a mind to," pretty much sums it up.
Mel slows it down with "Lying Time Again." This is a personal favorite. This whole song is about a man hiding his secret affairs from his wife. Mel even describes the scenes where he comes home and "she laying there where she cried herself to sleep." Folks, you don't hear this wording other than in country music.
"I'm Sorry" is another great song that was recorded for this record. It simply is a man apologizing for all the things that he has done wrong.
"Fooled Around And Fell In Love" couldn't have turned out better. This is a wonderful story song about someone who's out looking for "fun," but then he ends up falling in love. This is one of the best songs on the album and shows off Mel's more traditional side. If you're a Mel Tillis fan, this is a must have for your collection.
Release Date: April 29, 2008 - Collector's Choice Music
Track List:
- Blind In Love
- Black Jack Water Back
- Lying Time Again
- This Is Me
- All My Love
- Uphill All The Way
- I'm Sorry
- Let Me Be The Keeper
- Fooled Around And Fell In Love
- You Threw Away The Mold
