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5/1/09 – Train Songs Pt. 1 – “Train Kept A-Rollin'”

Posted: May 2nd, 2009 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , | 12 Comments »

All Aboard!

Train Songs

Part 1

The Friday Night Cat Fight focuses on one of the most popular song themes, TRAIN SONGS!  This week’s show is only part one of a multi-part series on TRAIN SONGS and features great tunes from Johnny Cash, The Cardinals, Tom Waits, Rufus Thomas, Al Green and many more.

We also trace the history of the rock n’ roll classic, “The Train Kept A-Rollin’,” which was written by and originally recorded by Tiny Bradshaw in 1951.  Tiny’s up against some of the greatest guitar solos in history as The Johnny Burnette Rock n’ Roll Trio (guitar: Paul Burlison), The Yardbirds (guitar: Jeff Beck) and Aerosmith (guitar: Joe Perry) all have a crack at it.

Listen to the show and then choose your favorite version below.

Which One Do You DIG THE MOST? - "Train Kept A-Rollin'"

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12 Comments on “5/1/09 – Train Songs Pt. 1 – “Train Kept A-Rollin'””

  1. 1 Jerry B. said at 2:24 am on May 2nd, 2009:

    Interesting Show…..especially the Cat Fight.
    I voted…..Tiny Bradshaw for the Winner
    2nd place goes to Aerosmith….
    The old man from the hills feels Tiny’s version is best for my own musical tastes…seeing I’m an old dude. However, Aerosmith’s version really rocks.

    Thanks Matt………….Good Show !
    Jerry B. in Tennessee

  2. 2 timevac3 said at 9:13 am on May 2nd, 2009:

    I had to give to The Rock And Roll Trio. Johnny’s vocal sounds like he’s a half a tick away from barking-at-the-moon crazy. Absolutely inspired.

  3. 3 Sierra said at 10:20 am on May 2nd, 2009:

    Great show again! I voted for the Burnetts, but I loved the heavy guitar licks in the latest version. Tiny Bradshaw’s was a bit too tame by comparison, but they’re all good. The show Lee recorded is great, and next week’s part with the first ever cat fight will be fascinating. I was listening at that time, but don’t remember who was featured. Sure hope you can keep these shows coming for years. Thanks.

  4. 4 Virginia said at 7:35 pm on May 2nd, 2009:

    Every version was soooo good. I finally voted for Tiny as I think he inspired the others. The whole show was wonderful. I am on my third listen now.

  5. 5 monk in ohio said at 3:33 am on May 3rd, 2009:

    Great show matt…xm should have never let you go!

  6. 6 Yum Yum said at 8:04 am on May 3rd, 2009:

    Take the A train and The Last Train To Clarksville and when you hit your destination go right on line to the best show on the internet The Friday Night Cat Fight with Matt The Cat because he lays down those beautiful Tracks !! Get it Tracks !! All Aboard a great show Matt !! Yum Yum

  7. 7 Spencer Strolsky said at 8:23 pm on May 5th, 2009:

    When I listen to the catfight I then realize how much XM Radio has fallen from what it was once.

  8. 8 Crystal said at 8:03 am on May 7th, 2009:

    Matt, just loved your selection of train songs. I went with Tiny, but Aerosmith was close. I think you are sooo much better without the 50’s restriction…your vast knowledge comes thru to all decades. Absolutley fabulous!!

  9. 9 Paul said at 7:25 am on July 12th, 2009:

    Hey guys- great show. As a music historian, it’s clear that The Rock and Roll Trio is the definitive version of the song. It is the version of the song that both Foghat and Aerosmith covered. Just one problem, the lead guitarist on that song ( and a few others on their first and only album) is NOT Paul Burilson. Its session guitar player Grady Martin. This was not known for many years, but the studio where the trio recorded had a policy to bring in top session players. Paul is the guitarist on some other Trio’s other stuff, like the classic Tear it up-but the amazing stuff was recorded by Grady Martin, and he should get credit for his talent. Please see link:
    http://www.the-jime.dk/Rockabilly_Guitar/Johnny_Burnette_The_Rock-n-Roll_Trio.htm

  10. 10 David Burlison said at 1:27 pm on May 15th, 2010:

    P. Burlison’s son here..If you listen close the trio version has two lead guitars…My dad playing the deeper muffled fuzz tone octaves.(lead in the middle)
    Grady playing the more treble keys..All were jamming..My dad,johnny,dorsey and grady were really jamming on this 56 single tract cut

  11. 11 Simon said at 5:32 pm on July 5th, 2010:

    There’s only one guitar on ‘Train Kept a Rollin’ by Johnny Burnette and The Rock’n Roll Trio.
    It’s actually played by Grady Martin who played similar style and licks on lots of other records such as ‘Bird Dog’ by Don Woody recorded at the same studio around the same time.
    Anyway the Burnette version is a classic for sure.

  12. 12 David Burlison said at 1:11 pm on July 30th, 2010:

    You can easily hear two guitars on “Train Kept Rollin”.”Honey Hush” mostly P. Burlison playing the same Fuzz/distortion.
    Grady Martin’s own web pages say his firstFuzz/distortion..1961..Nothing like the trio’s sound..GM never created the trio fuzz/ distortion before or after the trio album..any sites to songs where GM created this sound should be listened to..as you will not here the sound…

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