Red Simpson's Bear Family Box Set

Andy Sandoval · Post by **Andy Sandoval** » 11 Feb 2012 9:46 pm

Howdy boys and girls. I had the pleasure of visiting with Red Simpson yesterday and today while doin some computer stuff for him. Red's quite a guy and so under rated when it comes to his influence and contributions to Bakersfields music history. Anyway he showed me a 5 CD box set put together by the Bear Family Record Company out of Germany, which he graciously let me borrow, that also includes a beautifully done hard cover book with lots of stories, music history and photos.

"Hot licks, big hits, & truckers' favorites from the Bakersfield scene that gave us Merle Haggard & Buck Owens. Includes all of his recordings from 1957 to 1984.This set also contains a deluxe 108 page hardcover book that features a complete discography, many unseen photos, and a detailed biography by Scott B. Bomar documenting the career of the truck music poet whom Bob Dylan dubbed ‘the forgotten man of the Bakersfield Sound." Merle and Buck recorded over 40 of Red Simpson's songs! The set includes 26 previously unissued songs. Nearly all of the other recordings are previously unissued on CD! Most have been unavailable since the '70s and '80s!"

I must say I was very impressed by this collection of songs, many of them were new to me. Here's a link to some samples from the 5 CD's. Click Here and here's a link to an ad for the box set on YouTube. Click Here

Buck's Crystal Palace is doing a tribute to him on March 8th then he's off to attend the official opening of the Bakersfield Sound Exhibit At The Country Music Hall of Fame March 24, 2012.

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 11 Feb 2012 10:12 pm

I always enjoy listening to my Red Simpson records. Great steel sound, too.

Andy Sandoval · Post by **Andy Sandoval** » 11 Feb 2012 11:11 pm

Yes, lots of beautiful steel guitar, a lot of it played by Leo LaBlanc I believe.

Bob Manning · Post by **Bob Manning** » 12 Feb 2012 12:25 am

Great songwriter & a great guy! Have had the opportunity to visit with Red several times... Quite a character!

Michael Johnstone · Post by **Michael Johnstone** » 12 Feb 2012 8:10 pm

I played with Red a number of times from around 2001-2006 and played steel on his CD "The Bard Of Bakersfield". It was mixed by someone else and frankly,I didn't like the mix and Red didn't either but nonetheless it has some interesting tunes on it. Not the chicken-pickin truck drivin fare but more introspective stuff about life in Bakersfield that you'd have to have spent time playing there to really appreciate(I have).It's worth a listen if you can find it.

Barry Blackwood · Post by **Barry Blackwood** » 13 Feb 2012 8:22 am

Well said, Andy. Backed up Red many times during his days touring the clubs of California.

LJ Eiffert · Post by **LJ Eiffert** » 13 Feb 2012 10:25 am

Red and so many others like him in southern California are the real history of what the Academy Of Country Music,ain't today. That's why I keep rolling on about this matter,but,who really cares about yesterdays news.If it's to keep the Steel Guitar alive with it real musician behind it,I still think those outsiders who know more about us should get the stories right.

Uncle Leo J.Eiffert,Jr.