The Essential Floyd Cramer

My sister purchased an 33 rpm album of Floyd Cramer sometime during the early 1960's. This album contained a variety of Mr. Cramer's work at the time. The most popular rendition on her disc was undoubtedly, "Last Date" a classic arrangement by Mr. Cramer that in my humble opinion, has not been surpassed by anyone to date. The best I recall, the only Hank Williams hit on this album was, "Lovesick Blues" which was performed in Mr. Cramer's unique style and much faster with a pop beat than Hank Williams had performed it. It was then, I began to develop a greater appreciation for Hank Williams raw music composition. Although Williams did not know music by note, only by chord, he had a keen ability to not only write lyrics that touched the hearts of his listeners but also to frame those lyrics into a melody that drove their message home, deeply into the human heart. Now, in my older years, I mostly listen to every orcherstrated rendition of Hank Williams music I can find. Had it not been for Floyd Cramer and an RCA album recording made late in the 1950's entitled, "Yes I Remember Hank Williams" we would probably not have realized the music genious of Hank Williams. The same prinicple applies to the Beatles and other very popular groups that Mr. Cramer has transformed their pop or country hits into instrumental classics. Little did I realize the genious of John Lennon until I listened to my first album of Mr. Cramer's rendition of some of his and the Beatles greatest hits. Music is to say the least truly a universal language, but it is also a multifaceted communication. Sometimes in all of us, there is a need simply to hear a melody, a tune or an orchestration of a song wherein we can fully appreciate simply the music without the vocal. Sometimes our mind and spirit simply need a melody to soothe away the wrinkles of the day's trials and burdens. Mr. Cramer, with his unique slip-note style of piano production is still tonight, the foremost artist to accomplish just this. Even after having left us several years ago due to a fast growing form of cancer, he being dead still ministers to the spirit of all humanity toward our very best day and finest music experience. May God bless his memory and his work. '

Sights, sounds and fragrances can jet you to a certain year, no boarding pass needed. One day, I heard a song playing over the speaker system in a store. I didn't know the name of the song, and there are no lyrics. I was compelled to ask someone later (I had to hum) because it drew me in - to this day I do not know why. I wasn't born yet when it was first recorded. I FINALLY bought my dream song! It is "Last Date" - It's almost as though I have some childhood wonderful memory embedded along with this wonderful, romantic, peaceful instrumental piece by Floyd Cramer. Enjoy it - the entire album is light and fun. PS: I am not a customary fan of the country genre, and really have enjoyed this.