Let Us Now Praise James Burton Pt. 1

In case you haven't noticed, guitar players have a special place here in Fluvile. James Burton holds an esteemed distinction among guitarists. Not only is he the quintessential sideman, but he has played with both Elvis'.

Hum Susie-Q for a bit.

It's the riff you're humming, right? James Burton wrote that. He was already a veteran of the Louisiana Hayride when he recorded it with Dale Hawkins at the ripe age of 15, before migrating to Bob Luman's band and then being snatched up by Ricky Nelson who was recording next door. Burton then went on to play on hundreds of records, mostly uncredited. We'll get to those in another post.

In the meantime, dig this...


















Download: "Susie-Q" mp3
by Dale Hawkins, 1956.
available on Oh! Suzy-Q: The Best of Dale Hawkins



















Download: "Don't Treat Me This Way" mp3
by Dale Hawkins, 1956.
available on Oh! Suzy-Q: The Best of Dale Hawkins.

Download:

"Red Cadillac And A Black Mustache" mp3
"Wild Eyed Woman" mp3
"Blue Days, Black Nights" mp3
"Whenever You're Ready" mp3
"Make Up Your Mind" mp3
"Your Love" mp3

by Bob Luman, 1957.
available on Let's Think About Living - His Recordings 1955-1967

"This Is The Night", with Bob Luman from Carnival Rock, 1957.

























Download: "Stood Up" mp3
by Ricky Nelson, 1957.
available on Ricky Nelson - Greatest Hits

























Download: "I Got A Feeling" mp3
by Ricky Nelson, 1958.
available on Ricky Nelson - Greatest Hits























Download: "It's Late" mp3
by Ricky Nelson, 1959.
available on Ricky Nelson - Greatest Hits























Download: "Hello Mary Lou" mp3
by Ricky Nelson, 1961.
available on Ricky Nelson - Greatest Hits


"Believe What You Say", with Ricky Nelson, 1958.

























"Fireball Mail" mp3
By Jim & Joe, 1963.
James Burton and Joe Osborn
Out of Print

Photograph: © Ted Barron, 1997.
James Burton with Kenny Lovelace and Jerry Lee Lewis.