caveinspiredmusic.com

COUNTRY MUSIC

MILLER’S CAVE 1960 to 1969

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SONG BACKGROUND:

In 1956 Jack Clement “became part of one of the seminal events in rock and roll history when he went to work as a producer and engineer for Sam Phillips at Sun Records. There, Clement worked with future stars such as Roy Orbison, Carl Perkins, and Johnny Cash. But most importantly, he discovered and recorded Jerry Lee Lewis.” (Anon. 2012) After working for many years at Sun Records in Memphis, Jack moved on to work with Chet Atkins at RCA Victor in Nashville. But before leaving he wrote “Miller’s Cave” and Tommy Tucker first recorded it there in Memphis.

From an Interview in 1986 with the songwriter JACK CLEMENT: [I] got the idea from The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. An’ there’s this cave in there where the villain Indian Joe gets sealed in after he done been chasing Tom Sawyer an’ all in the cave. It was originally called “Dark Old Cave.” That was the first title. Came to mind from a Hank Williams’ song, something about “the dark ole cave.” But I thought that wasn’t original enough so I changed it to “Bela’s Cave” – like Bela Lugosi – give an air of mystery. Then I thought that wasn’t right either. So I thought of Miller’s ‘cause there was a Miller’s Boat Dock, 2 or 3 miles from

where I lived down on Lake Horn, just over the line in Mississippi.” (Clement 1986) (Horn Lake is about 12 miles southwest of downtown Memphis.) Jack had originally intended it to be recorded by Johnny Cash but the latter turned it down. (Clement 1986) However, the song was eventually recorded by Johnny Cash on July 16, 1973, but not released until 2007 on the CD More Songs from Johnny’s Personal File (Columbia 14113) (Anon. 2012). Over the years “Miller’s Cave” came to be recorded by many of the biggest names in country music and three of these studio sessions were presided over by Jack Clement himself. The song was to become a truly international country evergreen, recorded by artists in Canada, United Kingdom, Northern Ireland, West Germany, Spain, and Australia. In 1984 it even inspired a comic book story entitled, “The Curse of Miller’s Cave.” A total of 38 different versions are listed here (including one by the song composer himself) for the period 1960 to 2005 and all have been divided into two sections: early recordings 1960 to 1970 and late recordings 1970 to 2004. These versions exhibit many different styles from old time country to modern country, to bluegrass, to even popular and easy listening. This cannot be

considered an exhaustive list as more versions for this time period because turn up every once in a while. Since 2005 there have been at least 8 more versions: Michael Cleveland (2006), Bobby Atkins (2007), Amy Rude (2007), New Riverside Ramblers (Cajun – 2007), Teddy Grimstad (2008), Paddy O’Brien (2008), Sleepy LeBeef (2009), & Johnny Williams (Recent) (2011). Ref: Anon. 1984, The Curse of Miller’s Cave, Ghostly Tales, v. 19, n. 168, Aug. 1984 Anon. 2012, Johnny Cash, More Songs from Johnny’s Personal File CD, johnny-cash-infocenter Anon; 2013, Jack Clement, Biography, Wikipedia Clement, Jack 1986, Taped Personal Interview by D. Brison; Nashville, TN, Sept. 29, 1986 Deal, Babs H. 1969, High Lonesome World: The Life and Death of a Country Music Singer, Ballantine Books, NY Guralnick, Peter 1979 (1999), Lost Highway, Little, Brown & Co., New York, p. 186-199 Miller’s Cave, Search Results, Allmusic Newcombe, Jim 1988, An interview with Jack Clement, Now Dig This, n. 62, May 1988, South Shields, UK, p. 24-27 Soelberg, Paul W. 1973, Jack Clement, Country Music People, v. 4, n. 8, Aug. 1973, Kent, UK, p. 12-14

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VARIOUS VERSIONS OF

MILLER'S CAVE In chronological order

CY-MC-EY1 United States 1960

MILLER'S CAVE Country – Vocal & Instrumental

Comp: Jack CLEMENT (LY-CY9) Rts: Jack Music Inc. (BMI)

Perf: Tommy TUCKER (vocal)

Prod: Ray Harris & Bill Cantrell Prod. Co: HI Recording Co.; Memphis, TN (Reissue LP) Zu-Zazz Records; Bearstead, Kent Matrix: 45-2054 Liner Notes: (B1) Colin Escott Time: (A) 2:46 & (B2) 2:52 A. American Original 45:

Hi 2020 Flip Sd: The Strangers B. British Releases: 1. Reissue on LP: TOMMY TUCKER – MEMPHIS BADBOY (1987) Zu-Zazz Z 2001 12" 33rpm (Sd 1 – Bd 1) 2. Reissue on Compilation Double LP: HI RECORDS: THE EARLY YEARS (1987)

Hi DHI UK 434 12” 33rpm (2XLPs) (Disc 2 – Sd 2 – Bd 5) 3. Reissue on Compilation CD: HI RECORDS: THE EARLY YEARS –

VOL. 1 & 2 (1999) Hi HEXD 44 (2XCDs) (Disc 1 – Tk 14) Notes: This is the original version of the now-classic country song, "Miller's Cave." The songwriter, Jack Clement, was working as a producer and recording engineer for the famous Sun Records in Memphis. He wrote this one in 1959 before leaving Memphis for Nashville where he started work with Chet Atkins as an A & R (Artists & Repertory) man for RCA Victor. (Clement 1986) Tommy Tucker (not to be confused with the blues singer & jazz pianist from Ohio who recorded around the same period or with the leader of a

"Mickey Mouse" dance band in the 1930s and 40s) was what is now called a rockabilly singer who also performed some blues songs. His first record was released in Mar. 1959 on the fledgling Hi label. For the first LP liner notes, Escott writes: "1960 also saw the release of Tommy's second record… They gave him

a Jack Clement song, Miller's Cave. The resulting cut was stunning. The song itself was a piece of nonsense (there are no mountains, swamps or bears anywhere near Waycross, Georgia) but it had a wonderfully catchy melody and a sparse production. Tommy's vocals had shades of Johnny Cash but he was identifiably his own man. Miller's Cave became a minor hit before Hank Snow covered it and grabbed all the action. However, Tommy was signed to RCA as a result of the record."

This single release version starts with choral voices repeating, "Dark old cave" before Tucker sings all six original stanzas with the choral voices repeating the last part of each line in Stanzas 2, 4, and 6. It ends with the choral again singing, "Dark old cave," with a bass voice responding. Shown here is the jukebox label for this song. At some later date Tommy Ticker recorded a second version of “Miller’s Cave” that was not released until 1987 on the British reissue album on the Zu-Zazz label (see under Country Music – Miller’s Cave 1970 to 2004). Ref: Cajiao, Trevor 1987, Record Reviews, Now Dig This, n. 55, Oct. 1987, South Shields, England, p. 36 Clement, Jack 1986, Taped Personal communication; Nashville, TN, Sept. 29, 1986 Cockburn, Howard 1987, Record Reviews, Now Dig This, n. 56, Nov. 1987, p. 31 Gordon, Terry E. 2011, Tommy Tucker, Discography, rcs.discography [Hawkins, Martin] 1987, Tommy Tucker: Memphis Bad Boy, Now Dig This, n. 57, Dec. 1987, p. 3 [Text totally

plagiarized from the liner notes by Colin Escott] Tommy Tucker, Miller’s Cave (2:53), YouTube (◄COMPLETE AUDIO SAMPLE) Tricker, Philip J. 1987, L.P. Reviews, Roll Street Journal, v. 6, n. 1, Issue No. 21, Autumn 1987, p. 13

_____________________________________ CY-MC-EY2 United States 1960

MILLER'S CAVE Country – Vocal & Instrumental

Comp: Jack CLEMENT (LY-CY9) Rts: Jack Music Inc. (BMI)

Perf: Hank SNOW (vocal & guitar)

Harold Bradley, Joe Tanner, & Velma Smith (guitars) Chubby Wise (fiddle) Hargus Robbins (piano) Roy Huskey (bass) Buddy Harman or Willie Ackerman (drums) ANITA KERR SINGERS (Anita Kerr, Dorothy Ann Dillard, Louis Nunley, & William Wright) Prod: Chet Atkins Prod. Co: RCA Victor; Nashville, TN Rec. Date: May 12, 1960 Matrix: L2 WW-0156 (mono) L2 WA-2816 (stereo) Rel. Date: July 1960 Time: 2:38 A. American Releases: 1. Original 45:

RCA Victor 47-7748 RCA Victor 61-7748 (true stereo) Flip Sd: The Change of the Tide 2. Anthology LP: MORE COUNTRYCLASSICS RCA Victor LPM 2467 (mono) 3. LP: MORE HANK SNOW SOUVENIRS (1964) RCA Victor LPM 2812 (mono)

RCA Victor LSP 2812 (stereo) (Sd 2 – Bd 1) 4. Jukebox Compact EP: MORE SOUVENIRS RCA Victor 2812 7" 33rpm 5. Reissue on LP: BEST OF HANK SNOW RCA Victor LPM 3478 (mono) RCA Victor LSP 3478 (stereo) 6. LP: THIS IS MY STORY (1966) RCA Victor LPM 6014 (mono) RCA Victor LSP 6014E (stereo) 2X12" 33rpm 7. Various Compilation LPs:

a. RCA Victor RD 4142-2 b. RCA Victor RD 4 / 5-216 c. RCA Victor KSL1 / KSK1 7092

8. Reissue on Compil. CD: BEST OF HANK SNOW (1991) Camden CCD 3470 (Tk 6) 9. Reissue on Compil. CD: SNOW COUNTRY (1992) Pair 1314 (Tk 10) 10. Reissue on Compil. CD: THE ESSENTIAL HANK SNOW

(1997) RCA 07963 66931-2 (Tk 14) 11. Reissue on Compil. CD: HALL OF FAME: 1979 (2000) King 3825 (Tk 6) 12. Reissue on Compil. CD: RCA COUNTRY LEGENDS – HANK SNOW (2001) Buddha 74465 99789 2 (Tk 7) 13. Reissue on Compil. CD: LEGENDARY (2003) BMG International 97697 (3XCDs) (Disc 3 – Tk 4) 14. Reissue on Compil. CD: THE BEST OF HANK SNOW (2003) Paradiso PA 7892 (Tk 14) 15. Reissue on Compil. CD: REAL 60s: COUNTRY (2004) BMG Special Products 48138 (3XCDs) (Disc 1 – Tk 2) 16. Reissue on Compil. CD: SUPER HITS (2004) RCA Victor 61207 2 (Tk 7) B. British Releases: 1. LP: THE BEST OF HANK SNOW RCA Victor LSA 3022 (repro. stereo) (Sd 1 – Bd 6) 2. LP: 20 OF THE BEST OF HANK SNOW RCA Victor NL 89422 C. German Releases: 1. Reissue on Compil. CD: THE SINGING RANGER – VOL. 3 (1994) Bear Family BCD 15502 (12XCDs) (Disc 2 – Tk 8) 2. Reissue on Compil. CD: GREETINGS FROM GEORGIA: THE PEACH STATE (2004) And More Bears 25015 (Tk 13) Notes: Originally from Nova Scotia, Canada, Hank Snow is considered one of the all-time great singers of country & western music and one of the most influential figures of Country music's Golden Age. “Hank Snow stood as perhaps the most articulate and serious spokesman for the classic sound of country music.” (Wolfe 2001) In his youth, as – “A fan of western movies, Hank was so moved by Jimmie Rodgers’ recording of Moonlight and Skies that he bought himself a guitar, taught himself what he could of Rodgers’ guitar and vocal style, and began recording for Victor in 1936.” (Noennig & Kienzle 1986) When Jack Clement came to Nashville in 1960 and became an assistant to Chet Atkins at RCA Victor, he probably asked Snow, who was one of RCA's most famous country recording stars, to do a cover version of this song. In 1970 Hank Snow commented about the vocal accompaniment here – “I had quite an argument with Victor also on the backing. Now it was RCA Victor’s idea about 12 years ago that I started to use the Anita Kerr Singers. Well, I’m not a pop singer… I like to keep mine country, but I had to go along with RCA Victor in a sense. Not that I had to but I felt they knew what they were doing and there was a change in the scene and a change in music and they were trying to sell to two different audiences, the country audience and to the pop audience and you just can’t do that.” (Snow 1970)

Nevertheless, today this stands as one of the best renditions of the song; the classic, definitive Nashville country version. This song with slides illustrating the lyrics was included by the author in the NSS Audio-Visual Aids program, "Caves On Phonograph Records" which I had first presented at the 1967 NSS Convention held in Huntsville and Birmingham, Alabama. Ref: Anon. 2012, Hank Snow, Biography, Wikipedia

Guralnick, Peter 1979 (1999), Lost Highway, Little, Brown & Co., New York, p. 37-48 Hank Snow, Miller’s Cave, Lyrics & Chords, classic-country-song-lyrics Hank Snow, Miller’s Cave (2:38), with lyrics, YouTube (◄COMPLETE AUDIO SAMPLE) Hank Snow, Miller’s Cave, Overview, Allmusic More Hank Snow Souvenirs, Musicians & Lyrics, lpdiscography Noennig, Nancy & Kienzle, Rich 1986, Country Music Catalogue 1985-1986, Down Home Music Inc., p. 36 Snow, Hank 1970, Interview with Bob Powel, Country Music People, v. 1, n. 11, Dec. 1970, p. 4-6 Wolfe, Charles 2001, Classic Country – Legends of Country Music, Routledge, New York, NY, p. 50-55

_____________________________________ CY-MC-EY3 United States 1962

MILLER'S CAVE Country – Pop – Vocal & Instrumental

Comp: Jack CLEMENT (LY-CY9) Rts: Jack Music Inc. (BMI)

Perf: Dickey LEE [aka: Dickey Lipscomb]

(vocal & guitar) Billy Carter (?) (guitar) Luther Nally (?) (bass) Raymond Nally (?) (drums) STEPHAN SCOTT SINGERS Prod: (?) Bill Hall & Jack Clement Prod. Co: Mercury Record Corp. (Smash Records; Chicago, IL) Rec. Co: Fred Foster Monument Studio; Nashville, TN Liner Notes: (Reissue LP) Al Bianculli Time: 2:34 A. American Releases: 1. Original LP: THE TALE OF PATCHES

Smash MGS 27020 (mono) Smash SRS 67020 (stereo)

12" 33rpm (Sd 2 – Bd 1) 2. Reissue LP: PATCHES Pickwick JS 6181 (stereo)

12" 33rpm (Sd 1 – Bd 3) B. Canadian LP: THE TALE OF PATCHES Quality (Mercury) MGS 27020 Quality (Mercury) SRS 67020 C. Australian Reissue LP: PATCHES & ELEVEN OTHER SONGS THAT TELL A STORY (1983) Mercury 6336 557 Notes: At the end of the 50s Lee cut some sides for the famous Sun label and the engineer on those sessions was Jack Clement. Later on when Clement had his own studios (in Beaumont, Texas and Nashville, TN) Lee recorded for him on several occasions. So it's not surprising that somewhere along the line Clement got him to do his song. He sings the original arrangement with all 6 stanzas using the same vocal background idea where a choral group sings, "Dark ole, dark ole cave" at the appropriate moments. There are no wording changes except for the occasional dropping of the first word of a verse. However, Lee's cute-sounding, boyish voice is far from convincing and this is one of the least interesting versions Ref: Anon. 2012, Dickey Lee, Biography, Wikipedia Dickey Lee, Miller’s Cave (2:39), YouTube (◄COMPLETE AUDIO SAMPLE) Dickey Lee, The Tale of Patches LP, Allmusic Dickey Lee, The Tale of Patches LP, Discogs Komorowski, Adam, New Commotion, n. 22, v. 3, n. 2, 1979, p. 47

Soelberg, Paul, Country Music People, v. 4, n. 8, Aug. 1973, p. 13

_____________________________________ CY-MC-EY4 United States 1963

MILLER'S CAVE Country – Vocal & Instrumental

Comp: Jack CLEMENT (LY-CY9) Rts: (US) Jack Music Inc.(BMI) & (Canada) Castle Music Ltd. Arr: Glenn Baxter Rts: Robert Ferguson Music Inc.

Perf: Bobby BARE (vocal & guitar)

(with orchestra & chorus) Prod: Chet Atkins Prod. Co: RCA Victor; Nashville, TN Matrix: PWKM-0621 Rel. Date: Dec. 12, 1963 Time: (A1) 2:45 & (D3) 2:56 & (A11, A11, & B2) 3:03 A. American Releases: 1. Original 45: RCA Victor 47-8294

Flip Sd: Jeannie's Last Kiss 2. Compilation LP: THE BEST OF BOBBY BARE – VOL. 1 (1966) Photo at BBC Radio London by John McKensie RCA Victor LPM 3479 (mono) RCA Victor LSP 3470 (stereo) 12" 33rpm (Sd 1 – Bd 4) 3. Reissue on Compilation LP: THIS IS BOBBY BARE (1972) RCA Victor VPS-6090 (stereo) 2X12" 33rpm 4. Reissue 45: (1976) RCA Victor 447-0746 (Red label) Ser: Gold Standard Series

Flip Sd: Four Strong Winds 5. Compilation LP:

RCA Victor OML 3/0MS2 6. Compilation LP: RCA Victor DVL/S/K2-0390 7. Reissue on Compil. CD: THE BEST OF BOBBY BARE (1994) Razor & Tie 2043 (Tk 5) 8. Reissue on Compil. CD: THE ESSENTIAL BOBBY BARE (1997) RCA 67405 2 (Tk 5) 9. Reissue on Compil. CD: COUNTRY ROADS – VOL. 11 (1999) Cntry CR 026011 (Tk 18) 10. Reissue on Compil. CD: ALL AMERICAN BOY –

21 GREASTEST HITS (1999) Country Stars CTS 55428 (Tk 5) 11. Reissue on Compil. CD: COUNTRY STORYTIME (2003) K-Tel ECD 3842 (Tk 2) 12. Reissue on Compil. CD: BOBBY BARE – SUPER HITS (2004) RCA 82876614872 (Tk 4) (Original recording remastered) B. Canadian Releases: 1. Single 45:

RCA Victor PK-5500 2. Reissue on CD: BOBBY BARE (2001) St. Clair 322 (Tk 9) C. British Releases:

1. Single 45: (1964) RCA Victor RCA 1387

Flip Sd: Jeannie's Last Kiss 2. Compilation LP: BEST OF BOBBY BARE RCA Victor LSA 3004 (stereo) 3. Compilation LP: 20 OF THE BEST OF BOBBY BARE RCA Victor NL 89332 D. Irish Single 45: (1964) RCA Victor ERC 1387

Flip Sd: Jeannie's Last Kiss E. West German & German Releases: 1. Single 45: (Pic cover) RCA Victor 47-8294 2. Sampler 45 EP: FOUR STARS OFNASHVILLE

(incl. J. Reeves, J. Scott, & J.D. Loudermilk) RCA Victor 9109 3. Compil. LP: THE BEST OF BOBBY BARE RCA Victor LSP 3479 4. Reissue in Boxed Set CD: THE ALL-AMERICAN BOY (1994) Bear Family 15663 (4XCDs) (Tk 63) 5. Reissue on Compil. CD: THE SINGLES 1959-1969 (1999) BMG 74321 571192 (2XCDs) (Disc 1 – Tk 8) 6. Reissue on Compil. CD: ALL AMERICAN COUNTRY (2003) BMG Special Products 46965 (Tk 5) F. South African Single 45: RCA Victor 41.687 Flip Sd: (A) Jim Reeves – Welcome To My World Notes: It wasn't until this third version that the song took off and became a big hit in February 1964. The new country-pop arrangement by Baxter is an obvious attempt to make the song more commercial and it is also an indication of the changes being made in country music production, which lead to the so-called "Nashville Sound." Stanza 3 of the original lyrics has been dropped here and it's easy enough to speculate that the real reason for this was because of the last two verses read – Before I stay with a cheatin' woman I'll go live with the bears in Miller's Cave.

Since the pronunciation of the words "bear" and "Bare" is exactly the same, the implied connotations were no doubt considered objectionable to the Bare family. In 1970 he came out with an LP This Is Bare Country with a cover picture showing him and his family. Among other major changes, stanza 5 is recited rather than sung and the wording is altered in several places, most noticeably in the first two verses of the sixth original stanza, which becomes here – I couldn't stand the way she did me; Well, I guess I showed her I was brave. This version became a big hit for Bare, reaching No. 4 on the Country charts and No. 33 on the Pop charts. Bobby Bare went on to become a well-known star of country music. A selection of the first stanza from this song was used in my paper, “Speleo-Discography: A Progress Report,” which I presented at the 2005 UIS (International Speleological Union) Congress at Kalamos in Greece. Ref: Anon. 2012, Bobby Bare, Biography, Wikipedia Bane, Michael, Country Music, v. 5, n. 3, Dec. 1976, New York, NY, p. 46 Bare, Bobby & Powel, Bob 1972, The Bobby Bare Story, Country Music People, v. 3, n. 3, Mar. 1972, Kent, UK, p. 5-7 Bobby Bare, Miller’s Cave (2:51), YouTube (◄COMPLETE AUDIO SAMPLE) Bobby Bare, Miller’s Cave, Live performance (2:39), YouTube (◄COMPLETE AUDIO-VIDEO SAMPLE) Bobby Bare, Miller’s Cave, Lyrics & Chords, cowboylyrics Bobby Bare, Miller’s Cave, Overview, Allmusic Grieber, A., Buygone, n. 50, Nov. 1981, p. 80-82 McConchie, Ray 1980, The All American Boy – Bobby Bare, Goldmine, n. 51, Aug. 1980, Fraser, MI. p. 164-165

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CY-MC-EY5 United States ca.1963

MILLER'S CAVE Country – Vocal & Instrumental

Comp: Jack CLEMENT (LY-CY9) Rts: Jack Music Inc. (BMI)

Perf: Johnny SINGER (vocal) Prod: (?) Bill Beasley Prod. Co: Country & Western Hits; Nashville, TN Rec. Co: Sam Phillips Studio; Nashville, TN Matrix: C-6372 Time: Label: Country & Western Hits 249 Flip Sd: Maple On the Hill Spec: 7" 45rpm Notes: Country & Western Hits was a branch label on Hit Records, which were produced in Nashville starting in 1962. Everything issued on these labels were "sound-a-like" cover versions of top ten tunes and they were sold through the department stores and drug stores in eastern US. Johnny Singer is very likely a pseudonym used here by a well-known Nashville recording artist. He recorded at least five other singles for this label Ref: Country & Western Hits Track Listing, blueslandproductions Johnny Singer, Discography, 45cat Urbahns, Paul, Goldmine, n. 71, Apr. 1982, p. 188

_____________________________________ CY-MC-EY6 United States 1963

MILLER'S CAVE Bluegrass – Vocal & Instrumental

Comp: Jack CLEMENT (LY-CY9) Rts: Jack Music Inc. (BMI)

Perf: LILLY BROTHERS Everett Lilly (vocal & mandolin) Bea Lilly (vocal & guitar) Don Stover (banjo) Herb Hooven (fiddle) Fritz Richmond (bass) Prod. Co: Prestige International Liner Notes: (Reissue LP) Ivan M. Tribe Rel. Date: June 1964 Time: 2:54 1. Original LP: BLUEGRASS BREAKDOWN Prestige/Folklore FL-14010 (mono)

2. Reissue LP: BLUEGRASS BREAKDOWN (1977) Rounder Special Series SS 01 3. Reissue on CD: PRESTIGE/ FOKLORE YEARS – VOL. 5: HAVE A FEAST HERE TONIGHT (1999) Prestige 9919 (Tk 4) Spec: (Nos. 1 & 2) 12" 33rpm (Sd 1 – Bd 4) Notes: A very fine rendition of the song by a highly respected bluegrass group that plays in the old time tradition. “This classic bluegrass "brother" duet is particularly known for popularizing bluegrass music in the New England area.” (Chadbourne 2012) This album was considered of sufficient merit to be chosen as the first record to be reissued in the new Rounder Special Series. The album allows

“one to see clearly [and hear] bluegrass’ absolute dependence, for its vocal-harmonic tradition, upon the close-harmony duets of the brother teams of the ‘30s.” (Whittier 1978)

The Lilly Brothers sing all six original stanzas following quite closely the original wording. Only two very minor changes were made – Stz. 2, Vs. 3 – Made me feel I was unwanted

becomes – She made me feel I was not wanted

Stz. 6, Vs.1 – That woman made me feel unwanted

becomes – They gone an' made me feel unwanted

The banjo does a nice break between stanzas 3 & 4 and then later between stanzas 5 & 6 the fiddle captures just the right note of pathos that the song requires. “The banjo breaks for Miller’s Cave are a graduate course in banjoistics. Don Stover’s break showcases typical features of his powerful yet jaunty playing.” (Corcoran 2011) Ref: Chadbourne Eugene 2012, Lilly Brothers, Bluegrass Breakdown LP, Allmusic Corcoran 2011, Banjo Breaks as played by Don Stover & J.D. Crowe, banjohangout Whittier, Paul 1978, Reviews, Old Time Music, n. 29, Summer 1978, p. 29 Leighton, Marian 1977, Rounder Special Series, The Record Roundup, n; 5, Sept. 1977, p. 8 Lilly Brothers, Biography, Wikipedia Lilly Brothers, Bluegrass Breakdown LP, Discogs Lilly Brothers, Prestige/ Folklore Years – Vol. 5 CD, Stanza 3, Allmusic (◄AUDIO SAMPLE)

_____________________________________ CY-MC-EY7 United States 1964

MILLER'S CAVE Bluegrass – Instrumental

Comp: Jack CLEMENT Rts: Jack Music Inc. (BMI)

Perf: Jim HELMS (banjo & harmonica) Prod: David Hubert & Davon Music Inc. Prod. Co: Liberty Records Inc.; Los Angeles, CA Liner Notes: David Hubert Rel. Date: July 1964 Time: 1:37 A. American Releases:

1. Original LP: (?) Piccadilly PIC-3602

2. Compilation LP: 5-STRING BANJO GREATS Liberty LRP-3357 (mono) Liberty LST-7357 (stereo) 12" 33rpm (Sd 1 – Bd 3) 3. Reissue on Compilation LP: THE VERY BEST OF COUNTRY BANJO (1975) United Artists UA-LA 411E 12" 33rpm (Sd 1 – Bd 3) 4. Reissue on Compilation CD: BANJO JAMBOREE (1996) Tradition/ Rycodisc 1019 (Tk 4) B. Canadian LP: 5-STRING BANJO GREATS London (Liberty) 3357 London (Liberty) 7357 C. British Releases: 1. Compilation LP: THE VERY BEST OF COUNTRY BANJO

United Artists UA-EA 411R 12" 33rpm (Sd 1 – Bd 3) 2. Compilation CD: BLUEGRASS MUSIC – MOUNTAIN

BREAKDOWN (2002) Music Digital CD 6325 (Tk 8)

D. French LP: COUNTRY BANJO United Artists UAS-29844 (mono) 12" 33rpm (Sd 1 – Bd 3) Notes: A lively bluegrass instrumental version with Jim Helms alternating on banjo and harmonica. Ref: 5-String Banjo Greats LP, Discogs

Banjo Jamboree LP, Allmusic (◄AUDIO SAMPLE) Russell, Richard & Verolleman, Raoul 2012, Roger McGuinn Related Records, 3 Compilation LPs, skynet Wirz, Stefan n.d, Illustrated Dick Rosmini Discography, 3 Compilation LPs, wirz.de

_____________________________________ CY-MC-EY8 United States 1964

MILLER’S CAVE Country – Popular – Easy Listening – Instrumental

Comp: Jack CLEMENT Arr: Larry Gordon Rts: (BMI)

Perf: Frankie CARLE (piano)

(with string orchestra, guitar, & drums) Cond: Larry Gordon Prod: Neely Plumb Prod. Co: RCA Victor Records Rec. Co: RCA Victor’s Music Center of the World; Hollywood, CA Time: 2:36 LP: 12 DOUBLE-BARRELED HITS OF ‘64

RCA Victor LPM-2915 (mono) RCA Victor LSP-2915 (stereo) 12" 33rpm (Sd 2 – Bd 5)

Notes: A smooth rollicking piano rendition with a string and guitar bridge. Ref: Frankie Carle, Biography, Wikipedia Frankie Carle, 12 Double-Barreled Hits of ’64 LP, worldcat & venetor-sound

_____________________________________ CY-MC-EY9 United States 1965

MILLER'S CAVE Country – Vocal & Instrumental

Comp: Jack CLEMENT (LY-CY9) Rts: Jack Music Inc. (BMI)

Perf: Johnny WILLIAMS (vocal)

(with rhythm guitar) Prod: Huey P. Meaux Prod. Co: Pic 1 Records; Houston, TX Matrix: LH-1734 Liner Notes: Marilyn van Steiger Time: 2:50 1. Original 45: Pic 1 118

Flip Sd: Lonely Girl On Sweetheart Mountain 7" 45rpm

2. Reissue on Compilation LP: THE BEST OF JOHNNY WILLIAMS Pic 1 LPM 5000 12” 33rpm (Sd 1 – Bd 2) Notes: Johnny Williams and his group, The Jokers, recorded two other singles for this label. They were all from Texas. Johnny Williams also played with the Mickey Gilley Band in the 60s. Not to be confused with the Johnny Williams who released a version of “Miller’s Cave” in 2011 on his CD album Shackles and Chains. Ref: Anon. 2006, Interview with Johnny Williams – Part 3, blogspot.fr Johnny Williams, Biography, domeshadows Johnny Williams (Texas), Discography, 45cat

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CY-MC-EY10 Canada 1965

MILLER’S CAVE Country – Vocal & Instrumental

Comp: Jack CLEMENT (LY-CY9)

Perf: Johnny CLARK and His Diplomats Prod. Co: London Records of Canada Ltd. Time: 2:23 LP: JOHNNY CLARK SINGS THE BIG ONES

London EB 74 12” 33rpm (Sd 1 – Bd 4)

Notes: A dull, uninspired country band back-ups Johnny Clark, who sings only five stanzas and leaves out stanza 3. As with the Bobby Bare version Clark recites rather than sings stanza 5. He makes a few wording changes in each stanza – Stz. 2, vs. 3 – Made me feel I was unwanted

becomes – She made me feel I wasn’t wanted

Stz. 4, vs. 2 – With a man they call, Big Dave

becomes – With some guy they call, Big Dave

Stz. 5, vs. 1 & 2 – I said, “You’ll pay, both you and Davy I must see you in your graves

becomes – So I said, “You’re both gonna pay

An’ I’m gonna see you in your graves

Then for the last stanza he starts by borrowing the first verse of stanza 3 – I couldn’t stand the way she did me

– and then sings – Well I guess I showed her I was brave – followed by the other two verses of original Stanza 6.

This version is listed in the business files of Jack Clement in Nashville, along with many other recorded versions of “Miller’s Cave.” This version is listed in the business files of Jack Clement in Nashville, along with many other recorded versions of “Miller’s Cave.” Not to be confused with the reggae singer, Johnny Clarke, who cut a number of crucial dancehall records in the 1970s. Ref: Clement, Jack n.d., Licenses Issued (Business file cards), Jack Music, Nashville, TN, card n. 1

_____________________________________ CY-MC-EY12 Canada 1965

MILLER’S CAVE Country – Vocal & Instrumental

Comp: Jack CLEMENT (LY-CY9)

Perf: THE CUMBERLAND VALLEY CLAN Prod. Co: ARC Sound Ltd. Time: 2:50 LP: GREAT GREAT GREAT COUNTRY HITS

ARC International A-835 (mono) 12" 33rpm (Sd 1 – Bd 1)

Notes: This is a slow-paced rendition with choral backing, where stanza 3 is omitted. There are a few wording changes in each stanza – Stz. 1, vs. 2 – Through the swamps and everglades

becomes – ‘Mongst the swamps and everglades

Stz. 4, vs. 2 – With a man they call, Big Dave

becomes – With some guy they call, Big Dave

Spoken Stz. 5, vs. 1 & 2 – I said, "You'll pay, both you and Davy,

I must see you in your graves."

becomes – So I said, “You’re gonna pay, both you an’ Davy,

‘Cause I’m gonna see you in your graves.”

The fifth stanza here takes the first verse of stanza 3 – “I couldn't stand the way she did me” – and tacks it onto the last three verses of stanza 6 – “Well, I guess I showed her I was brave …”

Nothing is known about Cumberland Valley Clan. The short liner notes call them one of “Music City’s top talents,” which indicates they are from Nashville. Cumberland Valley is not far south of Nashville; it is where the renowned Cumberland Caverns show cave is located. This version is listed in the business files of Jack Clement in Nashville, along with many other recorded versions of “Miller’s Cave.” Ref: Clement, Jack n.d., Licenses Issued (Business file cards), Jack Music, Nashville, TN, card n. 1

_____________________________________ CY-MC-EY13 Denmark 1965

MILLER'S CAVE Country – Vocal & Instrumental

Comp: Jack CLEMENT (LY-CY9) Rts: Jack Music Inc. (BMI)

Perf: Bobby LEE (vocal)

with Ole Hayers Orkester (guitar & strings) Prod. Co: Tono Records Time: 2:50 Single 45: Tono 45-ST 41361-2

Flip Sd: Only the Heartaches 7" 45rpm

Notes: A black country singer from Denmark took on the song a year before Charley Pride (see just below). Nothing further could be learned about Bobby Lee. Bobby Lee sings five stanzas, omitting the original stanza 3, but he sticks pretty close to all the original ideas. There are a few significant wording changes in all five stanzas – Stz. 1, vs. 2 & 3 becomes – Amongst the swamps and everglades,

There's a big ole hole in Tiger Mountain

Stz. 2, vs. 1 & 3 becomes – I had me a girl in Waycross, Georgia ….

She made me feel I was unwanted

Stz. 4, vs. 1 to 3 becomes – Caught her out one Sunday morning,

With some guy they call Big Dave, The meanest man in the state of Georgia.

Stz. 5 (Spoken), vs. 1 to 4 becomes – So I said, “You’re gonna pay, both you an’ Davy

‘Cause I’m gonna see both of you in your graves, That’s when they laughed at me an’ so I shot ‘em, An’ drug their cheatin', schemin' bones down to Miller's Cave.

Stz. 6, vs. 1 to 3 becomes – I couldn’t stand the way she did me,

But I guess I showed her I was brave, The most wanted man in the state of Georgia, Ref: Bobby Lee, Miller’s Cave, Tono Label (ST 41000 series), danpop

_____________________________________ CY-MC-EY14 United States 1966

MILLER'S CAVE Country – Vocal & Instrumental

Comp: Jack CLEMENT (LY-CY9) Rts: Jack Music Inc. (BMI)

Perf: Johnny PAYCHECK [aka. Donald Lytle] (vocal) Lloyd Green (steel guitar) (with piano & drums) Prod: Aubrey Mayhew Prod. Co: Little Darlin' Corp.; Nashville, TN Rec. Co: RCA Victor Studios; Nashville, TN Liner Notes: Tom McEntee Time: 3:12

A. American Releases: 1. LP: THE LOVIN' MACHINE Little Darlin' LD-4003 (mono) Little Darlin' SLD-8003 (stereo) 2. LP: JOHNNY PAYCHECK’S GREATEST HITS (1968) Little Darlin' SLD-8012 (stereo) 12” 33rpm (Sd 1 – Bd 4) 3. Reissue on Compil. CD: LAYIN’ DOWN THE HITS (2005) Koch 9852 (Tk 17) B. Canadian LP: THE LOVIN' MACHINE Little Darlin' T-91171 (stereo) Spec: (Nos. A1 & B) 12" 33rpm (Sd 1 – Bd 2) Notes: In the mid-sixties, Paycheck helped to form Little Darlin' Records. He had started as a sideman for Ray Price, George Jones, and others. Eventually he achieved enough fame on his own so that, in April 1966, he was able to play at Carnegie Hall in New York City. Later in the 1970s due to his personal habits and some of his social protest songs he became classified as one of the so-called "outlaw" country music performers. Here for the first time, piano can be heard on the song in addition to the usual string accompaniment. This is basically the complete six-stanza version with some of the Bobby Bare wording changes. Stanza 5 is recited as in the Bare version. The major changes and additions are as follows – Stz. 5, vs. 2 & 3 becomes – I'm gonna see both of you in your graves

Well, an' then they laughed at me, an' so I shot 'em. At the end of the last stanza part of the last verse is repeated – No, they're never gonna find me They're never gonna find me.

Lloyd Green (see under Country Music – The Cave – CY6) was one of the more famous steel guitar players in Nashville. He also plays on the Don Williams version of this song (see CY-MC-LT3). This song was used for the "Cavers' Hop" at the Old Timers' Reunion in 1995 because it is probably the best arrangement for dancing. Ref: Johnny Paycheck, Biography, Wikipedia Johnny Paycheck, Johnny Paycheck’s Greatest Hits LP, lpdiscography Johnny Paycheck, The Lovin’ Machine LP, Allmusic Johnny Paycheck, The Lovin’ Machine LP, Discogs

_____________________________________ CY-MC-EY15 United States 1966

MILLER'S CAVE Country – Vocal & Instrumental

Comp: Jack CLEMENT (LY-CY9) Rts: Jack Music Inc. (BMI)

Perf: Charley PRIDE (vocal & guitar)

(with steel guitar & bass) Prod: Chet Atkins, Jack Clement, & Bob Ferguson Prod. Co: RCA Records Rec. Co: RCA Victor's "Nashville Sound" Studios; Nashville, TN Rel. Date: June 1966 Time: (LP) 3:15 & (45) 3:13 A. American Releases: 1. LP: COUNTRY CHARLEY PRIDE RCA Victor LPM-3645 (mono) RCA Victor LSP-3645 (stereo) 12" 33rpm (Sd 2 – Bd 4) 2. Single 45 (from album): RCA Victor 47-8862

Flip Sd: Before I Met You

3. Reissue on Compilation CD: THE MASTERS (2002) Eagle Rock EABCD 015 (Tk 13) B. Canadian LP: COUNTRY CHARLEY PRIDE (1966) RCA Victor 3645 C. West German LP: COUNTRY CHARLEY PRIDE RCA Victor 3645 D. Australian Compilation CD: CHARLEY PRIDE’S GREATEST (1996) Sony Australia 1421172 (Tk 15) Notes: Charley Pride was the first black man to make it big in the southern, white world of country music. “As a child in rural Mississippi he listened to country music programs on the radio, became a fan of Hank Williams in the late 40s and taught himself to play guitar.” (Noennig & Kienzle 1986) Incidentally it was through the efforts of Jack Clement, the composer of this song, that he was signed up by RCA Victor in 1965. Soon after Pride became one of the hottest sellers in the country field. “Pride’s acceptance may be due in large measure to down-playing his ‘blackness.’ His recordings are in the classic country mold and sung with an impeccable country accent;” (DiMaggio et al. 1972) This “his first RCA Victor album, Country Charley Pride, eventually sold over a million copies.” (Charles 1996) The first color photo here is from the cover of original American LP release and the black & white photo (on rt.) shows Jack and Charley with Charley’s father in the middle. This is a full-fledged commercial rendition with all the elements of the so-called "Nashville Sound" – slick arrangement, professional session men, whaling steel guitar, in other words, "the works." Pride sings all six stanzas using the kind of mixture of the Snow and the Bobby Bare versions. The original wording is retained but the last stanza shows quite a bit of mixing – That woman made me feel unwanted But I guess I showed her I was brave The most wanted man in the state of Georgia But they're never gonna find me 'Cause I'm lost in Miller's Cave. Charley sings the first stanza straight, but for the remaining stanzas the steel guitar comes in at the end of each verse with a ridiculous squeal or two. The YouTube video shows a series of cave slides taken in Carlsbad Caverns and elsewhere that have no relation to the cave in the song. Ref: Charles, Don 1996, Charley Pride – The RCA Victor Years, Discoveries, Issue 96, May 1996, p. 30-36 Charley Pride, Biography, Wikipedia Charley Pride, Country Charley Pride LP, Discogs Charley Pride, Miller’s Cave (3:27), YouTube (◄COMPLETE AUDIO SAMPLE) Charley Pride’s Greatest Compilation CD, barnesandnoble DiMaggio, Paul; Peterson, Richard A.; & Esco, Jack Jr. 1972, Country Music: Ballad of the Silent Majority, in Sounds of Social Change, Edited by Richard A. Peterson & R. Serge Denisoff, Rand McNally, Chicago, p. 46 (Reprint No. 23, The John Edwards Memorial Foundation Inc., Univ. of California; Los Angeles, CA, 1973) Noennig, Nancy & Kienzle, Rich 1986, Country Music Catalogue 1985-1986, Down Home Music Inc., p. 36 Prato, J. Edgar 1988, Charley Pride, Country Music USA, n. 20, Août 1988, Paris, p. 28-29 Pride, Charley & Henderson, Jim 1994, Pride: The Charley Pride Story, William Morrow & Co. (Not seen) Soelberg, Paul W., Country Music People, v. 4, n. 8, Aug. 1973, p. 13-14 Streissguth, Michael, Charley Pride, Goldmine, v. 27, n. 12, Issue 545, June 15, 2001, p. 14-19

_____________________________________ CY-MC-EY16 United States 1967

MILLER'S CAVE Country – Vocal & Instrumental

Comp: Jack CLEMENT (LY-CY9)

Rts: Jack Music Inc. (BMI)

Perf: THE WILLIS BROTHERS Vic Willis (vocal) Photo by Aud-Lee

Skeeter Willis (vocal & fiddle) Guy Willis (vocal & guitar) (with trumpet, steel guitar, & drums) Prod: Don Pierce Prod. Co: Starday Records; Madison, TN Time: A. American LP: 'BOB' AND OTHER SONGS TO MAKE THE

JUKE BOX PLAY Starday SLP 403 (mono) 12" 33rpm (Sd 2 – Bd 6) B. Canadian Releases: 1. LP: 'BOB' AND OTHER SONGS TO MAKE THE JUKE BOX PLAY Columbia (Starday) SLP 403 2. LP: 'BOB' AND OTHER SONGS TO MAKE THE JUKE BOX PLAY GRT Corp. (Starday) 009-403 Notes: “Also known as ‘The Oklahoma Wranglers’ this western influenced group were active from the 30s, and in 1946 accompanied Hank Williams on his first recordings.” (Noennig & Kienzle 1986) This old established trio of country performers sings the complete lyrics with only one or two changes. There is much more commercial backup orchestration here than on previous versions. Besides the string instruments familiar to country music there is also a trumpet (Herb Alpert style), which sporadically comes in and plays a few bars of the melody. This simply illustrates a growing trend in country music at that time where producers were willing to try anything that would give the music a broader and more commercial appeal. Ref: Edwards, David; Callahan, M.; Watts, R.; & Eyries, P. 2009, Starday Album Discography – Part 4, bsnpubs Noennig, Nancy & Kienzle, Rich 1986, Country Music Catalogue 1985-1986, Down Home Music Inc., p. 36 Prato, Jean-Edgar & Rouit, Gilbert 1980, The Willis Brothers, Big Beat, n. 19, Juin 1980, Saint-Jean-Bonnefonds, France, p. 26-29 The Willis Brothers, Biography, Wikipedia The Willis Brothers, Miller’s Cave (2:19), YouTube (◄COMPLETE AUDIO SAMPLE)

_____________________________________ CY-MC-EY17 United States 1967

MILLER'S CAVE Country – Popular – Vocal & Instrumental

Comp: Jack CLEMENT (LY-CY9) Rts: Jack Music Inc. (BMI) (CD – No. C2) Polygram Music Publ. Ltd.

Perf: B. J. THOMAS [aka. Billy Joe Thomas] (vocal)

(with piano, guitar, drums) Prod: Huey P. Meaux & Stan Green Prod. Co: Scepter Records Inc.; New York, NY Liner Notes: (No. C) (12-page Booklet)

John Lomax III, Jan.-May 1999 Time: 2:42 A. American Releases:

1. LP: B. J. THOMAS SINGS FOR LOVERS AND LOSERS Scepter SRM 561 (mono) Scepter SPS 561 (stereo) 12" 33rpm (Sd 2 – Bd 5) 2. Compil. LP: 100 ALL TIME COUNTRY HALL OF FAME HITS – VOL. 2 (1977) TVP/ Springboard TVP-1017 2X12” 33rpm (Disc 2 – Sd 1 – Bd 1) 3. Compil. LP: BEST OF COUNTRY – VOL. 2 Trip X-8511 B. Canadian LP: THE B. J .THOMAS COLLECTION Precision TVLP 78037

2X12” 33rpm (Disc 2 – Sd 1 – Bd 5) C. British Reissue on Compil. CD: B.J. THOMAS – EARLIEST HITS & GREAT COVERS – THE

CRAZY CAJUN RECORDINGS (1999) Edsel EDCD 619 (Tk 16)

D. West German Compilation Double LP: 24 COUNTRY HITS (1978) Intercord INT 158.605 (2XLPs) Notes: A decidedly pop rendition with a rocking piano accompaniment. A clear case where this country music standard has been given an entirely different arrangement and thus transformed into popular rock music. “B. J. adds plenty of his own special flourishes to this version, and the tag, when he vamps us to the close of this chilling ballad.” (Lomax 1999 – Liner notes) Thomas basically sings the Bobby Bare version, leaving out stanza 3 and reciting stanza 5, but he also puts in several additions to the wording. Stx. 2, vs. 3 becomes – She made me feel just like I wasn’t wanted

Stz. 4, vs. 2 changes to – With some guy, everybody calls him, "Big Dave"

Stz. 5, vs. 1 – So I said, "Boy, you all gonna pay for this both you an' Davy."

Stz. 5, vs. 4 – An' then I dragged their cheatin', schemin' bones on down to Miller's Cave.

Some of these changes attempt to bring to the song a more down-home country style of expression but the more involved verses end up sounding phony. Nothing changes the flagrant popular rock arrangement. This was the first time where entirely new lines were tacked on as a coda following the last stanza – Yes, I'm lost, I can't find my way You know, I can't see nothin' in here, an' it's dark An' I can't find any way to get out Way down in this cave.

Lomax notes, "B.J. adds plenty of his own special flourishes to this version, note especially his handling of the spoken word section and the tag, when he vamps us to the close of this chilling ballad." Ref: Amber, Arnie 1981, B. J. Thomas, Goldmine, n. 67, Dec. 1981, Fraser, MI, p.16-17 B. J. Thomas, Biography, Wikipedia B. J. Thomas, Miller’s Cave (2:42), YouTube (◄COMPLETE AUDIO SAMPLE) B. J. Thomas, B. J. Thomas Sings Songs for Lovers and Losers LP, Discogs Kirkby, Buzz, Country Music World, v. 1, n. 6, June 10-26, 1981, p. 22

_____________________________________ CY-MC-EY18 United States 1967

MILLER'S CAVE (Original Take & Remix Versions) Country – Rock – Vocal & Instrumental

Comp: Jack CLEMENT (LY-CY9)

Rts: Jack Music Inc. (BMI)

Perf: THE INTERNATIONAL SUBMARINE BAND Gram Parsons (vocal & rhythm guitar) John Nuese (lead guitar) Jay Dee Maness (steel guitar) Earl "Les" Ball (piano) Bob Buchanan (vocal & rhythm guitar) Chris Ethridge (bass) John Corneal (vocal & drums) Prod: Susie Jane Hokum Prod. Co: Lee Hazlewood Industries Inc. (LHI) Rec. Co: United Recording Studios; Hollywood, CA Rec. Date: July-Dec. 1967 Matrix: ED 114 Rel. Date: Apr. 1967 Liner Notes: (No. A9) (6-page Booklet) Time: 2:45

A. American Releases: 1. Original LP: SAFE AT HOME (1968) LHI 5-12001 (mono) LHI S5-12001 (stereo) 12" 33rpm (Sd 2 – Bd 1) 2. Single 45 (from album): (Sept. 1967) LHI 1217 Flip Sd: I Must Be Somebody Else You've Known 3. Bootleg LP: SAFE AT HOME Zap 7891 (stereo) 4. Reissue LP: GRAM PARSONS (Remixed version) (1979) Shiloh SLP 4088 (Sd 1 – Bd 3) 5. Reissue LP: SAFE AT HOME (ca.1986) Rhino RNLP 069 (Sd 2 – Bd 1) 6. Reissue CD: SAFE AT HOME (1993) Shiloh SCD 4088 (Tk 6) 7. Reissue LP: SAFE AT HOME (2001) Sundazed LP 5112 (Sd 2 – Bd 1) 8. Reissue on Anthology CD: SACRED HEARTS & FALLEN

ANGELS: THE GRAM PARSONS ANTHOLOGY (2001) Rhino R2 76780 2 (2CDs) (Disc 1 – Tk 5)

9. Reissue on CD: SAFE AT HOME (Remixed version) (2004) Sundazed SC 6206 (Tk 5) B. British Releases: 1. Reissue LP: SAFE AT HOME (1985) Statik STAT LP 26 12" 33rpm (Sd 2 – Bd 1) 2. Reissue on CD: SAFE AT HOME (1991) Sundown CDSD 071 (Tk 6) C. Spanish Reissue LP: SAFE AT HOME (1986) Victoria E 30.1079 (Sd 2 – Bd 1) Notes: Originally formed by Gram Parsons at Harvard in 1965, the ISB was reformed in New York City two years later. This band is cited today as one of the precursors of the so-called "country-rock" sound, that is, country songs wedded to rock rhythms. "To be sure, there was country influenced material throughout the 60s, but this LP remains the first full and conscious attempt at the genre" (Cusick 1982) Another critic comments on this song – “Jack Clement’s splendidly atmospheric chiller ‘Miller’s Cave,’ a take on Merle Haggard – Parsons knew not the law that used to say you couldn’t mix these things in rock;” (Coltman 1986) Due to an early death which brought an end to a promising career, Parsons has become a sort of cult figure and his records are highly sought-after. The original LP can go for $40 and up. At least one counterfeit (facsimile) copy and one bootleg issue of this LP have been on the market. The Shiloh LP released a remixed version so it would constitute an variant of this original take. It's a strange coincidence that Parsons came from Waycross, Georgia where his stepfather owned a packing plant and where, also, the characters of the song lived. In this version, the original wording is followed for the most part but stanza 3 has been dropped and replaced by short breaks on steel guitar and lead guitar. Other changes are as follows – Stz. 1, vs.1 becomes – Way down south in the state of Georgia

And both Stz. 2, vs. 3 and Stz. 6, vs. 1 are changed to – You know, she made me feel unwanted

The biggest changes occur in Stz. 5 which runs – I called her down, both her an' Davy Said, "I'm gonna see you in your grave" They laughed at me until I shot 'em Put their cheatin', schemin' bones in Miller's Cave

At the end the last verse is repeated once. Some of his fans consider that just about anything Gram Parsons did was a masterpiece. There is no denying that he does a good job with "Miller's Cave" but if you've heard the original versions by Tucker or Snow you know that it was already done up right.

Ref: Coltman, Robert 1986, The Record Roundup, n. 46, Mar.-Apr. 1986, p. 28 Cusick, Richard 1982, Gram Parsons: The Story of the Grievous Angel – Part 1, Goldmine, n. 76, Sept. 1982, p. 13-17 Cusick, Richard 1983, Gram Parsons: The Story of the Grievous Angel – Part 2, Goldmine, v. 9, Issue 12, n. 91, Dec. 1983, p. 12, 24, 28 ff. Cusick, Richard 1984, Gram Parsons Discography, Goldmine, v. 10, Issue 2, n. 93, Feb. 1984, p. 167, 170 ff. Gram Parsons, Sacred Hearts & Fallen Angels CD, Stanza 2, Allmusic (◄AUDIO SAMPLE) The International Submarine Band, Miller’s Cave (2:50), YouTube (◄COMPLETE AUDIO SAMPLE) The International Submarine Band, Safe at Home LP & CD, Discogs The International Submarine Band, Safe at Home LP, Wikipedia Kahn, Dan 1979, The Record Roundup, n. 12, Jun.-Jul.1979, p. 22

_____________________________________ CY-MC-EY19 Australia 1969

MILLER'S CAVE Country – Vocal & Instrumental

Comp: Jack CLEMENT (LY-CY9)

Perf: Tex CROFT [aka. Johnny Croft] (vocal & guitar) Prod. Co: Clarion Records; Perth, Western Australia Time: 2:22 Label: Clarion MCK-2792 Flip Sd: When It’s Springtime in Alaska Spec: 7" 45rpm Notes: A country singer from Perth, Western Australia. Nothing further is known about this version. Ref: Global Dog Productions, 45 Discography for Clarion Records, globaldogproductions Tex Croft, Info, secondhandsongs Tex Croft, Miller’s Cave (2:22), YouTube (◄COMPLETE AUDIO SAMPLE) Tex Croft, Miller’s Cave, Australian National Film & Sound Archive, cave – p.81, afc.gov.au

_____________________________________________________ CY-MC-EY20 United States ca.1960s

THE GIRL FROM MILLER'S CAVE Country – Vocal & Instrumental

Mus: Jack CLEMENT

Lyr: Jack CLEMENT & T. STALLKNECHT (LY-CY11) Rts: (On label) Park West Music (BMI)

Perf: Johny REB (vocal)

(with guitar, piano, bass, & drums) Prod. Co: SSI Record Productions Matrix: SoN 10621 Time: 2:39 Label: SSI 004 Flip Sd: White Lightning Spec: 7" 45rpm Notes: A real anomaly where Jack Clement’s song is not only performed for the first and only time by a woman, but, as expected, the lyrics have been completely revised. Only the first of the six stanzas remains the same as the original, all the others are turned around to suit the completely new approach, but some of the original verses are scattered about in different stanzas. (See the incomplete lyrics under Other Country Lyrics). Here the whole story is flipped around and it’s the woman (girl) who is cheated on when her man makes love to Big Dave’s pretty wife. And it’s the woman who takes revenge. Stanza 3 ends with – You made love to Big Dave’s wife in Miller’s Cave.

Stanza 4 ends with – You’ll have to fight Big Dave, but not in Miller’s Cave.

The last two stanzas continue to change everything from the original – V. Oh, you drew a gun, you cheatin’ coward,

You fell dead, but I still live

You left it all an’ took their [……], I [felt?] your cheatin’, schemin’ [……] in Miller’s Cave.

VI. Just tell us all, you in that cave there; Now you can show me if you’re brave, [Thought you were …….?] tomorrow morning, We’ll bury your cheatin’, schemin’ bones in Miller’s Cave. Nothing further could be learned about Johny Reb, which is no doubt a pseudonym, possibly for T. Stallknecht, who reworded the original lyrics. Ref: Johny Reb, The Girl from Miller’s Cave 45, Discogs Johny Reb, The Girl from Miller’s Cave (2:42), YouTube (◄COMPLETE AUDIO SAMPLE)

ADDITIONAL VERSIONS OF

MILLER’S CAVE This discography continues in Part 2 – 1970 to 2007

caveinspiredmusic.com