NASHVILLE FATS: God's Country

Nashville Fats

God's Country

© 2001 PTMF (634479015090)

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"God's Country," by the late singer/songwriter Nashville Fats is a dynamic collection of Fats' best country tunes.

notes

The Peter Thorpe Memorial Fund presents the music of Nashville Fats. "God's Country" is the first of Fats'albums to be re-released by PTMF. This thirteen-song Country CD compiles the Country songs from his currently unavailable CDs, "Concepts and Fragments" and "Wasteland."

Fats was mostly known as a Bluesman, but he also appreciated Country Music and wrote and recorded a number of Country songs in Nashville.

"Yardsale Guitar" is a whimsical story song. Yardsaling
was one of Fats' favorite pastimes, and he always hoped to discover a good old guitar. He spent many Sunday afternoons on the road at yardsales. Never finding the guitar he yearned for, he instead wrote this fun song.

Fats wrote several songs with his good friend Steve Rupe.
"Armed and Dangerous" is one of those songs. Originally, Fats penned a song about being armed with a gun, but Steve
diplomatically suggested the "arming" be changed to "the Word of God"!!

Fats liked Steve's idea that being "armed with the Word of God" is dangerous to the devil. They rewrote this song together, and it soon became one of Fats' most popular tunes. "Armed and Dangerous" will also be on "Grace" Steve's soon to be released third CD. Watch for it on cdbaby.com

"There's a blues band down in Old Town, trying to conjure up some kind of crowd, but you couldn't hear one single note they were playing, 'cause the silence was so loud." These lyrics from "His Shadow Never Turns" CD are some of Fats' most personal. He never forgot what it felt like to play in an empty bar to "the tables and chairs."

If you are a fan of Country harmonica, be sure to listen to Nashville Fats' beautiful, haunting version of the traditional instrumental "Shenandoah."

Fats spent many hot summer Nashville nights on the front porch with his pickin' buddy and neighbor Daniel Putnam Green, writing songs, playing chess and studying the Bible.
"Taking A Shine To Jesus" was their favorite "porch" song.

"He's Knockin' On Your Door" is a good old-fashioned dance song. Ever waltz to a gospel song? Try it, it's fun!

Performing on the Christian coffeehouse circuit gave Fats
a lot of joy and "Gospel Boogie" was his acknowledgement
of that slice of his life.

Fats would often warm up his fingers before a show by playing "Lieberstraum" by Franz Liszt. He enjoyed playing the song so much he eventually recorded it.

The "She was a tall and proud old woman" verse of "Pray for America" was originally written for his young daughter Ruby when she was learning about the Statue of Liberty in elementary school. Years later, while visiting friends and family in Oregon, the other verses were added. A friend was about to lose his farm, his brother-in-law was having a hard time with his lumber business, and an always hard-working but recently unemployed cousin couldn't find a job. "Pray for America" was his way of showing the admiration and compassion he felt for them and their situation.

The Country Blues tune, "Call on Jesus," is a tribute to
old-timey country blues gospel songs.

"Balaam's Donkey" is perhaps Fats' most important Country song. The line, "If the good Lord can use ol' Balaam's
donkey, he can sure use an ass like me" was Fats' motto, and most often delivered message. God can (and will) use anyone!

"Greensleeves" was included on this CD because it was the
oldest song Fats knew, and he believed that for a song to remain popular through many centuries, it must be a pretty good song. Who was he to argue with history?

Fats was often asked why he combined Babe Ruth, Marie Antoinette, Billy the Kid, and Cesar Chavez all into "That's How It Is." A humid June day in Austin, Texas, spent in an air conditioned hotel room watching The History Channel, provided the setting and inspiration for this eclectic song.

The Peter Thorpe Memorial Fund (PTMF) is making "God's Country" available to the public to keep the music and extraordinary legacy of "Nashville Fats" (Peter Thorpe) alive.


Just released on cdbaby.com "BLUE TRAIN"
Go to cdbaby.com/ptmf
Twelve songs by twelve exceptional artists.
http://www.ptmf.org/bluetrain May '04

Now available at cdbaby.com "NOTHING BUT THE BLUES"
11. A compilation of 11 of Fats blues tunes. Ocotber '05

reviews

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  • It's all about Balaam's Donkey
    author: Brotha Ben

    I already own this CD and did not know Fats had music available on CD BABY. I hope more of his music gets on this website, so I can purchase it. I love all the songs on God's Country, and I know most by heart, but to me this CD is all about the song "Balaams Donkey". The first time I heard Fats in concert, was in Danbury CT and I immediatly became a "Fathead". "Balaams Donkey" is one of those songs that defines an artist, and who he is or was. If "Balaams Donkey" were the only song on this CD I would still highly reccomend it. "Gods Country" reminds me and my friends of John Prines first album. All the songs are strong lyrically and different musically. Listen to his "Shadow never turns" "Yardsale guitar" and "That's how it is", to hear what I mean about John Prine. It also reminds me of the country music that came out of Austin in the 70's,during the bandit era of Jerry Jeff Walker, Waylon Jennings, Rusty Weir, Gary P Nunn, and Will Nelson and Billy C. Even though Fats was from Nashville, he was obviously influenced by the Austin music scene. (Hook em horns!!) Fats must of had a great and highly developed sense of humour because the songs on this CD make you laugh and think serious thoughts at the same time.

  • Nashville Fats, No doubt, Da' Man!
    author: Doc "Mistabluesman" Quinn

    Fats never performed a tune/song that I didn't like! I have sevral of this great man's CDs. I recomend Fat's country and blues music on to anyone that loves to listen to real music that is inspired and performed from with-in a mans heart and soul!

  • "God's Country" is just another example of how talanted and versatile a musician
    author: Chris Shepherd

    "God's Country" is just another example of how talented and versatile a musician and songwriter Fat's really was. He always amazed me with his wide range of knowledge and influences, which is easy to see in this collection of songs.

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