Every geographic area on the planet houses talented musicians, but some areas seem to produce more than their fair share. Ireland, for example, has only 7 million people , but the island has given us U2, Van Morrison, the Chieftains, theand the Celtic music tradition. Or consider Jamaica, another island with a modest population but with musicians such as Bob Marley, Toots Hibbert, Monty Alexander, Sean Paul and genres like reggae, ska, dub and dancehall.
Texan Bob Wills, the greatest of Western Swing bandleaders, enjoyed his best years leading the house band at Tulsa’s Cain’s Ballroom. New Jerseyite Count Basie, the second greatest of the East Coast swing bandleaders, got his start in the Oklahoma City Blue Devils. Kansas City’s Charlie Parker, who invented bebop jazz, first made his name in Oklahoman Jay McShann’s band. But it’s not just outsiders who are benefiting from Oklahoma’s musical history.
One legend, John Hammond Sr., who discovered Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen, tried to sign him to Columbia Records. Another legend, Jerry Wexler, who produced Dylan and Ray Charles, tried to sign him to Atlantic. Finally Talley signed with Capitol, where his albums garnered glowing reviews and meager sales. In his frustration, he followed some bad advice and severed ties with Capitol, which retaliated by taking his four albums out of circulation.
Sometimes, Moreland is hopeful, as on “Ain’t Much I Can Do About It,” when offers the catchy refrain, “Can you hear the bells a-ringing? Yes, it all comes down to that pendulum swinging.” Other times he’s bleak, as on “Gentle Violence,” when he concludes, “We’re suicidal, flags and false idols, god’s own precious guns won’t ever turn back the tide.