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team were in the middle of their hugely successful streak of writing songs for the Everly
Brothers. They’d caught their first break back in 1949, penning Jimmy’s second charting
record,
Country Boy
.
(I’ve Got A) Hole In My Pocket
explodes out of the speakers, from Farris Coursey’s
opening drum shots to the relentless lead guitar work of Grady Martin and especially
Buddy Emmons’ exhilarating, stratospheric steel solo. Vocally, Jimmy’s hanging in there,
a wee bit stiff in spots but making up for it with pure gusto and intent. He’s having a good
time with this rock ‘n’ roll stuff.
Country artist Ricky Van Shelton had a # 4 hit with
(I’ve Got A) Hole In My Pocket
in
1989. His musicians play close note-per-note interpretations of the guitar and steel solos
from the Dickens original. Heard side by side, Ricky’s carefully layered and mixed late ’80s
track is solid but a bit tame compared to the raucous live-off-the-floor goings-on you hear
on the Jimmy Dickens 1958 recording. Ricky’s version is merely pleasant, Jimmy’s rocks!
(E. Johnson-R. Penniman-O. Blackwell)
recorded March 13, 1956 (21:00-24:00) Bradley Film & Recording Studio,
804 16th Avenue South, Nashville, Tennessee; Producer: Don Law
with Marty Robbins: vocal/leader; Walter ‘Hank’ ‘Sugarfoot’ Garland: guitar; Hillous
Butrum: guitar; James E. Farmer: steel guitar; Floyd T. ‘Lightnin’’ Chance: bass;
Jimmy Gossett: drums; Floyd Cramer: piano
Co 40679-4
master OB 1089 (CO 55593)