Sundowners - Chicago Country Legends

  by Geraint Jones

published: 29 / 12 / 2003

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Review

Comprising relocated Southerners’ – rhythm guitarist Bob Boyd (Tennessee), lead guitarist Don Walls (West Virginia) and bassist Curt Delaney (Georgia)-the Sundowners honed their craft in the bars and honky tonks of Chicago for 30 years between 1959 and 1989. Rarely travelling beyond the city limits, the band could be found performing up to 7000 songs annually from the astonishing repertoire of 15000 songs they’d learnt over the years. Regarded almost as legends in Chicago - during their prolonged-up to four nights a week – residency, most famously at The Bar Double-K between 1971 and 1981, the band drew on an array of film, music and sports stars to their regular shows. Over the years the likes of Fats Domino, John Entwistle and perhaps most surprisingly Robert Duvall (who apparently once jumped on the stage to sing with the band), could be found amongst the bands’ audience. ‘Chicago Country Legends’ compiles 23 live tracks recorded between 1960 and 1971 plus one studio track – a version of Robbie Fulks ‘Cigarette State’, recorded in 1988. Credited as a major influence by both John Langford (The Waco Brothers, The Mekons etc) and Bloodshot Records co-owner Rob Miller, the band undoubtedly left their mark on Chicago if not the rest of the world. Of variable sound quality which is to be expected given the age of the recordings and their primarily live source, The Sundowners versions of country and western staples alongside occasional interpretations of contemporary pop of the time such as George Harrison’s Beatles’ classic ‘Something’ might be regarded as somewhat sedate by today’s standards. The bands’ economical arrangements though are deceptively effective – I barely noticed they lacked a drummer until perusing the sleeve notes more closely. Despite the often lo-fi quality, few bands harmonise as closely and with assets like Bob Boyd’s appealingly deep-tuned Willy Nelson-like vocals and Don Walls’ subtly skilled lead guitar playing, they undoubtedly deserved their plaudits. Perhaps ‘Chicago Country Legends’ might not be essential but for those who had the pleasure of seeing the band live it should prove an irresistible memento. For those who didn’t but have an interest in their musical history – certainly on Chicago and, post the band's demise in 1989 - the soon to be nascent insurgent/alt-country scene that would develop there, the album ought to be justifiably viewed as a genuine historical artefact.

Track Listing:-

1 Cimmaron (1971)
2 It's My Way (1960)
3 Around the World (1967)
4 Tears (1967)
5 What Where When (1961)
6 Sidewalks of Chicago (1971)
7 Little Green Valley (1960)
8 Shenandoah Waltz (1966)
9 Clementine (1960)
10 Something (1971)
11 I Remember You (1966)
12 Big Wide World (1966)
13 Here We Go Again (1966)
14 Things (1967)
15 Tom Dooley (1966)
16 Miller's Cave (1968)
17 Last Letter (1967)
18 Little Pedro (1966)
19 Empty Arms (1966)
20 Don't Tell Me Your Troubles (1966)
21 Guess My Eyes Were Bigger Than My Heart (1967)
22 Just As Much As Ever w/ Johnny Davis (1968)
23 Country Capers (1967)
24 Cigarette State (1988)