category: instrumental country / jazz / easy listening

[excerpt from the CD liner notes]:
"This compilation focuses heavily on the ‘boogie’ aspects of Arthur Smith’s recordings, many with their unmistakable ‘Roots of Rock ‘N’ Roll’ feel. The three early hits are included, duplicating "Guitar Boogie" and "Boomerang" from the previous compilation but here improved by finding better source material. Also duplicated is "South", except this is a later, slightly slower (thus longer) recording, and it must be said, not so light in touch as the single-note guitar runs towards the end testifies.

Electric guitar is self-evident on "Mountain Be Bop" and "Be Bop Rag" (both recorded at the same session), also on "Express Train Boogie". On other titles, as appropriate Arthur swaps guitar for banjo (Don Reno also crops up on banjo) or mandolin, and perhaps surprising to some listeners are his vocal contributions, all very much of the novelty Country variety. Anyway, whatever Arthur gets up to, this is a stomping reminder of the contribution he made, unwittingly maybe, to the genre which would change Pop music forever - Rock ‘N’ Roll." -- Paul Pelletier, Jasmine Records 2000

CD Track Listing

  All compositions by Arthur Smith except where noted

  1. Guitar Boogie (3:22)
  2. Guitar & Piano Boogie (3:02)
  3. Boomerang (3:02)
  4. Banjo Boogie (2:41)
  5. Who Shot Willie? * (2:31)
  6. Mountain Be Bop (2:46)
  7. Mandolin Boogie (2:41)
  8. Be Bop Rag (2:40)
  9. Don't Look For Trouble * (2:37)
10. Banjo Rag (2:25)
11. Twelfth Street Rag (Bowman) (2:15)
12. Cubanola Glide (w/Roy Lear: vocals) (Tilzer / Bryan) (2:40)
13. Just Lookin' * (Smith / Butler) (2:29)
14. I.H. Boogie (2:40)
15. River Rag (2:42)
16. Five String Banjo Boogie (2:18)
17. I'm Only Telling You (What They Told Me) * (2:26)
18. South (Moten / Hayes) (2:48)
19. Guitar Jamboree (2:17)
20. Cracker Boogie (2:51)
21. I'm Afraid Of Wimmin' * (2:22)
22. Express Train Boogie (2:34)

  * Arthur Smith: vocals & guitar

  Total timing: 54:09

Label/No: Jasmine Records 3521 (UK import)

Release date: 2000 reissue