Floyd Cramer (October 27, 1933 – December 31, 1997) was an American Hall of Fame pianist who was one of the architects of the "Nashville sound". He was known for his "slip note" piano style, where an out-of-key note slides into the correct note.
Biography
Born in Shreveport, Louisiana, Cramer grew up in the small town of Huttig, Arkansas, teaching himself to play the piano. After finishing high school, he returned to Shreveport, where he worked as a pianist for the Louisiana Hayride radio show.
In 1953, he cut his first single, "Dancin' Diane", backed with "Little Brown Jug", for the local Abbott label. During 1955 he played dates with an emerging talent who would later figure significantly in his career, Elvis Presley.
Cramer moved to Nashville in 1955 where the use of piano accompanists in country music was growing in popularity. By the next year he was, in his words, "in day and night doing session". Before long, he was one of the busiest studio musicians in the industry, playing piano for stars such as Elvis Presley, Brenda Lee, Patsy Cline, the Browns, Jim Reeves, Eddy Arnold, Roy Orbison, Don Gibson, and the Everly Brothers, among others. It was Cramer's piano playing, for instance, on Presley's first RCA Victor single, "Heartbreak Hotel". However, Cramer remained strictly a session player, a virtual unknown to anyone outside the music industry.
"Goodnight, Irene" or "Irene, Goodnight," is a 20th-century American folk standard, written in 3/4 time, first recorded by American blues musician Huddie 'Lead Belly' Ledbetter in 1933.
The lyrics tell of the singer's troubled past with his love, Irene, and express his sadness and frustration. Several verses make explicit references to suicidal fantasies, most famously in the line "sometimes I take a great notion to jump in the river and drown," which was the inspiration for the 1964 Ken Kesey novel Sometimes a Great Notion and a song of the same name from John Mellencamp's 1989 album, Big Daddy, itself strongly informed by traditional American folk music.
Lead Belly
The specific origins of "Irene" are unclear. Lead Belly was singing a version of the song from as early as 1908, which he claimed to have learned from his uncles Terell and Bob. An 1892 song by Gussie L. Davis has several lyrical and structural similarities to the latter song; a copy of the sheet music is available from the Library of Congress. Some evidence suggests the 1892 song was itself based on an even earlier song which has not survived. Regardless of where he first heard it, by the 1930s Lead Belly had made the song his own, modifying the rhythm and rewriting most of the verses.
The Balham Alligators were a band from London that mixed rock 'n' roll, cajun, country and R&B. The band centred on singer and instrumentalist Geraint Watkins.
Career
The band came together by chance at a London pub in 1983. The original line-up consisted of Geraint Watkins, Robin McKidd, Kieran O'Connor, Arthur Kitchener, and Gary Rickard. The Alligators played a hybrid blend of musical styles, including Rock 'n' Roll', Blues, R&B, Celtic Folk, Swamp-Pop, Country, Swing, Cajun & Zydeco.
The Balham Alligators performed in venues around Europe. Early albums included The Balham Alligators and Life In A Bus Lane. The pressure of constant touring began to take its toll with the continued ill-health and eventual death of Kieran O'Connor (d. 1991), the departure of Kitchener and Ron Kavana, and despite the recruitment of Pete Dennis to replace Kitchener convinced the remaining members it was time to call it a day.
The following years were spent pursuing individual projects with Watkins and Rickard working with Charlie Hart as, Rickard, Watkins & Hart, with Watkins eventually leading his own outfit, The Wobblers, in 1992. Robin McKidd formed The Companions of The Rosy Hours a western-swing band. Despite the four years since the original band's demise, McKidd was still receiving offers of work for the Alligators, persuading Watkins and Rickard to try out a few gigs with The Wobblers as a backing band, it became apparent that the Alligators were still a viable concern. Bolstered with morale and momentum they recruited session musician, Bobby Irwin on drums and ex-Chilli Willi and the Red Hot Peppers' bass guitarist Paul Riley and by the latter half of 1995 they recorded Gateway To The South (1996) and followed by Cajun Dance Party (1997).
Podcasts:
Floyd Cramer
ALBUMS
- RCA Country Legends released: 2001
- Floyd Cramer Plays Town 'n' Country Favorites released: 1999
- Last Date / On the Rebound released: 1998
- Forever in Love (The Encore Collection) released: 1997
- Floyd Cramer Plays Today's Beautiful Melodies released: 1996
- Piano Magic released: 1996
- The Piano Magic of Floyd Cramer released: 1996
- The Essential Floyd Cramer released: 1995
- The Magical Piano of Floyd Cramer: Melodies of Love released: 1994
- Gospel Classics released: 1994
- Never Ending Love released: 1994
- Blue Skies released: 1992
- We Wish You a Merry Christmas released: 1989
- Plays Your Golden Favorites released: 1987
- Collector's Series released: 1985
- Dallas released: 1980
- Last Date released: 1979
- Super Hits released: 1979
- Looking for Mr. Goodbar released: 1978
- Piano Masterpieces 1900-1975 released: 1975
- Class of '73 released: 1973
- This Is Floyd Cramer released: 1971
- Sounds of Sunday released: 1971
- The Big Ones, Volume II released: 1970
- Class of '70 released: 1970
- Class of '69 released: 1969
- Class of '68 released: 1968
- Easy Listening Favorites released: 1967
- Only The Big Ones released: 1966
- The Magic Touch of Floyd Cramer released: 1965
- Cramer at the Console released: 1964
- Jim Reeves, Floyd Cramer, Chet Atkins in Suid-Afrika released: 1962
- Last Date released: 1961
- Hello Blues released: 1960
- Chet, Floyd & Boots released:
- Special Songs of Love released:
- The Best of Floyd Cramer released:
- Country Favorites released:
- The Magic Touch released:
- Melodies of Love, Volume 3 released:
Floyd Cramer Plays Town 'n' Country Favorites
Released 1999- Gentle on My Mind
- You Needed Me
- On the Rebound
- You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'
- Fire and Rain
- Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain
- In This Life
- Love Is Blue (L'Amour Est Bleu)
- Send Me the Pillow You Dream On
- San Antonio Rose
- Danny Boy
- Can't Help Falling in Love
- I Can't Stop Loving You
- The Homecoming
- Time in a Bottle
- I Really Don't Want to Know
- Root Beer Rag
- I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry
- Softly as I Leave You
- A Time for Us
Last Date / On the Rebound
Released 1998- Last Date
- I Need You Now
- Moments to Remember
- Tennessee Waltz
- Too Young
- Mood Indigo
- Sweetie Baby
- Mumble Jumble
- Flip Flop and Bop
- Fancy Pants
- Rumpus
- Heart and Soul
- On the Rebound
- Wonderland by Night
- I Can Just Imagine
- Faded Love
- Let It Be Me
- Two of a Kind
- Danny Boy
- Corinna, Corinna
- Tammy
- First Impression
- San Antonio Rose
- Alma Mater
Floyd Cramer Plays Today's Beautiful Melodies
Released 1996- Theme from Ice Castles (Through the Eyes of Love)
- When a Man Loves a Woman
- If
- Sometimes When We Touch
- You Are So Beautiful
- Annie's Song
- To All the Girls I've Loved Before
- Can You Feel the Love Tonight
- I Swear
- Could I Have This Dance
- Somewhere in My Broken Heart
- Don't Know Much
- Save the Best for Last
- Love Me
- Have I Told You Lately
- Longer
- The Dance
- I Can't Make You Love Me
- Forever in Love
The Essential Floyd Cramer
Released 1995- Last Date
- Fancy Pants
- I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry
- San Antonio Rose
- Flip Flop and Bop
- Your Last Goodbye
- Corrine Corrina
- Drown in My Own Tears
- I Need You Now
- On the Rebound
- Georgia on My Mind
- Lovesick Blues
- Chattanooga Choo Choo
- Losers Weepers
- Java
- Shrum
- (These Are) The Young Years
- All Keyed Up
- Stood Up
- What'd I Say
Gospel Classics
Released 1994- Blessed Assurance
- Medley: When the Ring the Golden Bells / Rock of Ages / How Firm a Foundation / Just as I Am
- One Day at a Time
- The Old Rugged Cross
- Morning Has Broken
- Medley: Tell Me Why / He Keeps Me Singing / Heavenly Sunlight / Love Lifted Me
- Beautiful Isle
- Medley: Will There Be Any Stars in My Crown / Sweet by and By
- Crying in the Chapel
- Just a Closer Walk With Thee
- His Eye Is on the Sparow
- Medley: O, How I Love Jesus / Just a Little Walk With Jesus / I've Got That Old Time Religion
Never Ending Love
Released 1994- For the Good Times
- Morning Has Broken
- A Never Ending Love
- Stormy Weather
- Sweet Dreams
- Midnight
- Trouble in Mind
- What'd I Say
- Softly, as I Leave You
- Coming Home
- Back on My Mind Again
- My Way
- Secrets
- Rhythm of the Rain
- (These Are) The Young Years
- Help Me Make It Through the Night
- I'll Never Be Free
- Sweet Memories
- You Decorated My Life
- What the World Needs Now Is Love
We Wish You a Merry Christmas
Released 1989- Intro (We Wish You a Merry Christmas) / I'll Be Home for Christmas
- Medley: Let It Snow, Let It Snow / Sleigh Ride
- Medley: Silver Bells / Winter Wonderland / Up on the House Top / Jingle Bells
- Medley: Intro (Here Comes Santa Claus) / Santa Claus Is Coming to Town / Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer / Frosty the Snowman
- Intro (Jolly Old St. Nicholas) Jingle Bell Rock
- Medley: The Christmas Song / Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas / White Christmas
- Medley: Silent Night / Away in the Manger / It Came Upon a Midnight Clear / The First Noel
- God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
- Medley: Joy to the World / O Little Town of Bethlehem / Hark the Herald Angels Sing
- We Three Kings
- Medley: Deck the Halls / O Come All Ye Faithful
- O Holy Night
Sounds of Sunday
Released 1971- Medley: This World Is Not My Home / I'll Fly Away / Down in My Heart / Do Lord / Give the World a Smile
- Medley: Standing on the Promises / Bringing in the Sheaves / I Am Bound for the Promise Land / Shall We Gather at the River / Leaning on the Everlasting Arms
- Medley: What a Friend We Have in Jesus / Where Could I Go / It Is No Secret / Hide Me Rock of Ages / Old Time Religion
- Medley: Precious Memories / In the Garden / Take My Hand Precious Lord / Softly and Tenderly / Lord I'm Coming Home
- Oh Happy Day
- Where No One Stands Alone
- Peace In The Valley
- How Great Thou Art
- Amazing Grace
- Amen
Easy Listening Favorites
Released 1967- Yesterday Once More
- Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree
- Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head
- Candy Man
- Sunshine on My Shoulders
- I'll Never Fall in Love Again
- You Are the Sunshine of My Life
- I'm a Believer
- My Melody of Love
- Nobody Does It Better
- Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue
- Killing Me Softly With His Song
- The Entertainer
- Midnight Cowboy
- You Light Up My Life
- Winchester Cathedral
- My Love
- The Morning After
- Bridge Over Troubled Water
- Time in a Bottle
Country Favorites
- Last Date
- Help Me Make It Through the Night
- Sweet Dreams
- Walking the Floor Over You
- He Stopped Loving Her Today
- Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain
- Hello Darlin'
- It's Only Make Believe
- Jambalaya
- I Fall to Pieces
- Singing the Blues
- Behind Closed Doors
- Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song
- Almost Persuaded
- She Thinks I Still Care
Born: 1933-10-27
Died: 1997-12-31
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Let It Be Me
by: Floyd CramerI bless the day I found you
I want to stay around you
And so I beg you, let it be me
Don't take this heaven from one
If you must cling to someone
Now and forever, let it be me
Each time we meet love
I find complete love
Without your sweet love what would life be
So never leave me lonely
Tell me you love me only
And that you'll always let it be me
Each time we meet love
I find complete love
Without your sweet love what would life be
So never leave me lonely
Tell me you love me only