When It was suggested that maybe I would like to write a few
words about Jack and Misty … I jumped in with both feet… then I realised what I
had done… I had agreed to write a few words… when one could write a full size
book on this couple who have graced our ears with their melodies and lyrics for many
years.
Where does one start with Jack and Misty. Which facet of their considerable repertoire
does one review first.
Jack and Misty's history is there for any one to read. They are
entertainers, songwriters, solid contributors with melodies and lyrics that we their fans
love to hear.
My first contact with the duo was on the Colonel's Stardust compilation, "Grand
Ole Country". I remember that I was at the time posting the CD into my Database. The
first notes of "Just One More Song" stopped me in my tracks. I switched the
player over to continual play on the track. I felt that I just had to write and tell them
how much pleasure they had given me. From that moment I was an avid fan… I began to
glean as much as I could about them.
By the time "Back From The Dead, Vol 2" came along Jack and I had been
e-mailing each other on a regular basis. When I saw the title and "Vol 2"…
I nearly freaked out. What happened to Vol1?. I contacted Jack and asked him had I missed
something… in his normal relaxed and laid back way … he explained ' No, there
was no Vol 1, it was just a bit of fun.'
Three tracks on "Back from the Dead" stick in my mind…"Somewhere in
Virginia in the Rain", "There Must Be More to Life Than Growing Old", and
"Tennessee Birdwalk".
It is difficult to pick out single tracks from the CD… all the tracks are to my
mind superb. However to listen to Misty sing the poignant words of "There Must Be
More to Life" combined with the deep rich tones of Jacks voice… for me is a real
heart stopper. Then they follow that with "Tennessee Birdwalk", and who can fail
to raise a smile at the vision of birds in "dirty underwear".
They followed this with "Shadows of The Leaves", again a track on one of the
Colonels best compilations to date… but words from the Colonel tell me that #30 is
better than ever, again with a new song by Jack and Misty "Call On Me".
The combination of Jack and Misty with the Colonel promises good things to come in the
future. The Colonel looks after his "family" … Jack and Misty are now a
part of that family.
Jack is a prolific writer and story teller, and with Misty as co-writer they are
producers of songs that contain perfect combinations of melody and lyrics. Many of today's
so called "writers" cannot come any where near the output of this harmonious
duo.
I have never met them… but I know they have been married for many years…
maybe that is the key to their obvious ability… their own harmony.
They have many fans… including a Finnish DJ, Jukka Joutsi who is full of praise
for the duo.
Jack is a regular contributor to both Marlene Slater's, "My Kind Of Country"
forum and my own. The subjects he writes about cover a whole spectre… from "The
Mob" to how they write songs.
I could go on and on… but space and time are limited so I'll conclude with saying
just this; I hope there will always be "Just One More Song" from this talented
couple, whom I am very proud to call my friends.
Alex Cullum of Boots 'n' Saddle
with
29 of their greatest songs!
