Link Wray's 70s 'country' records - C or D?

Help me get into these, folks. I try every few years - mainly because it seems like everyone who's opinion on music I respect lives and breathes these albums. I pulled them out to give them another try years ago when jack Rose spoke about how much he loved them. And the other day Will from Okkervil River was talking them up in some interview. The only one I like is the s/t one, with Link looking vaguely like an Indian on the cover. The others just sound like 70s pastiche. Sure, a few of 'em sound like The Band and a few of 'em sound like the Stones, but show me a private press record from the 70s that didn't. I can't in good conscience say that anything with the name 'Link Wray' on it could ever be called a 'dud,' but I guess I'm saying....not classic?

Mostly these songs just leave no impression on me whatsoever. Sorta like that Dennis Wilson solo album everyone loves. Again, meh.

Weirdly, I love the Vernon Wray LP way more than any of his brother's vocal material.

What am I missing? Does the ILX love 70s Link?

i don't really listen to anything except that s/t record but that one is all time greatness to me. its one of my favorite guitar records.

I think of the first self titled one as the record the Rolling Stones never made. I love it and 'Beans And Fatback' is good too.

They're all fine records, but yeah the s/t is the best one. Dudes into these records (& the Vernon LP, which slays) should check out the Mordicai Jones LP on Polydor, featuring Link, in addition to being another three-track shack production. Keith from nnck swears by it, and I think it's good, but maybe not as good as i was hoping for.

The 1971 s/t record is great. I didn't really expect much before I heard it, which may be the problem you're having. It's maybe a little too Stonesy,but in a "missing disc of Exile" way.

should check out the Mordicai Jones LP on Polydor, featuring Link, in addition to being another three-track shack production

^^^ yeah this is great, & the (trilogy?) of three track shack records is super. it's nice having this one to mix up a little, it's almost a kinda jesse mae hemphill thing at times

All Link's Shack albums and the Mordecai Jones one came out as a 2cd a while ago, totally worthwhile purchase. Waiting for my store's distro to get the Vernon Wray album, really like it and need a physical copy.

with Link looking vaguely like an Indian on the cover

Psst, he is Native American.

shit i had no idea!

I didn't either till recently! I guess he's part Shawnee, but he seemed to really embrace it.

really into these at the moment! well, the 2 that i have. definitely going to keep an eye out for that mordecai jones

from one of my favorite albums, never (?) out on legit CD/download, far as I know: The Link Wray Rumble, Polydor '74. This first is not country in the genre sense, but got the bruised spirit, feel that guitar wind finding Goodtime Joe (Bernie Krause in there eventually, just a little)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_I954N7msmg

From the same album, an eerie cover of Tony Joe White's "Backwoods Country Man":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CakEmHqY9_0

Hey Wray Diddley:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CakEmHqY9_0

from the uneven Be What You Want To, a year or two previous: incl Floyd Crameresque piano, and Garcia on steel, I think:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CakEmHqY9_0

Sorry for the duplication! Here's "Tucson, Arizona", with Jerry G. on steel etc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kzk2IxbgDhw

The Link Wray Rumble is mostly downhome rock, in a great way (he lifts from the kiddos when apt, like one track is early 70s Van Morrison times Duane Allman, yet unmistakably LW)

dammit! *Here* is the Diddley bit, "Walkin' Bulldog"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDT7f05hgA0

these are great. and you're right; the album isn't available on itunes, or the other common download spots, from what i can tell.

Here's the Van x Duane I was thinking of (dedicated to Duane)--the album track might be a little longer? But this does it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYa1t2ADuHU

Hell, maybe the whole album's on there, hither & yon--don't have time to look just now...

I had looked into some older Link Wray stuff after reading Shakey but just got to the s/t and wow is it great. Wish they were all on spotify.

was catching up on the second season of 'Barry' last night and a song from the first of these records was over the end credits. deep cut!

His birthday today. The s/t 1971 is a top 10 album for me. Love his voice, wish he had sung more, and the 3 track shack production is perfect. I can see the Exile connection, but prefer Link. Sundazed is doing a birthday 50% off sale for their (50s and 60s) stuff.

"fire and brimstone" off that one is so incredible

Thanks for the heads up on the Sundazed sale. Just ordered the Swan singles collection

Live at Winterland*, 1974:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHEmDLQKrrk

*Now a shitty apartment building

what the late great said. I SAW FIYUH!

f&b is def the standout track but the whole record is pretty great top to bottom.

Yeah, thanks for the news! Several of those tracks (from mid-70s The Link Wray Rumble) that I linked upthread from YouTube but are gone now, have been incl. on Guitar Preacher--The Polydor Years, a 2- CD set.