Amazing that something so hard to define is so “easy to love”.

The “Tulsa” Sound – Written by Scott Russell

The history of the Tulsa sound is rich in heritage dating back to Ernie Fields, Barnery Kessle, Bob Wills, Eldon Shamblin, Ralph Blaine and a host of musicians writers and arrangers to numerous to menton (at least not all in Part One of this series).  The seed of the Tulsa's musical & entertainment family took root with a base core of talent branching from L.A.to Nashville in the 50's & 60's extending to New York & London in the 70's .  The radio was blasting nationwide with songs like David Gates & Bread's “Make It With You”and  Gary Lewis & Playboys“This Diamond Ring”, Elvin Bishop's “Fooled Around & Fell In Love”, The  Twilley Band's “I'm On Fire” (Dwight Twilley & Phil Seymour), Eric Clapton's version of Jim Byfield's “Little Rachel” topped off with Leon Russell's “Mad Dogs & Englishmen. Each of these and countless others were influenced by one another and still hold up to the legacy worldwide.

The first time I experienced this style was J.J. Cale's “Crazy Mama” released  in the U.S. on Shelter Records label ( A&M Records Europe) in December of  1971. Laid back with counter rhythms that invaded and stayed around long after the record stopped spinning.  A raw mix of blues, country, rock-a-billy and folk.... J.J. is known for penning many stand-outs such as  “After Midnight” recorded first by Eric “Slow Hand” Clapton., Magnolia,  made famous by J.J.'s own performance and “Call Me The Breeze” recorded by Lynyrd Skynyrd, Dr. Hook & Waylon Jennings.  More recently J.J.'s colaboration with Eric Clapton produced  “Road to Escodido” living proof of  staying power winning the Grammy award for Best Contemporary Blues Album 2008.

Fellow songwriter Michael Anderson, famous for many hit songs including “Maybe it was Memphis” describes it as hittin the “monkey bone”. It seems the legacy of Okie success though not necessarily a product of DNA, has re-birthed itself in the current siblings such as Carrie Underwood, Loren Dorland,& OK Sweetheart all receiving high marks of fan and industry support. Amazing that something so hard to define is so “easy to love”.