Duane Eddy “Have ‘Twangy’ Guitar Will Travel” 1958. Jamie Records. Yesterday Duane Eddy’s death was announced (b. 1938, d. April 30th, 2024) so taking his debut LP out for a spin in commemoration. The hit record (#5 US, #6 UK) is a collection of great guitar instrumentals that are a mix of rockabilly, country and blues plus a bit of surf thrown in for that full-bodied classic 50’s sound. My dad is a huge fan of Duane Eddy so although this record is waaaayyy before my time, I grew up listening to his twangy talent. Probably the most famous track on Have Twangy Guitar is “Rebel-‘Rouser” which he released as a single in ’58 when it went to #6. Another great is the Bo-Diddly-esque “Cannon Ball” (#15 US, #2 UK). I’m not as crazy about the “yakety sax” vibe on “Detour,” a cover from 1945 written by Paul Westmoreland in 1945 and originally recorded by Jimmy Walker with Paul Westmoreland and His Pecos River Boys. A cover (of sorts in that Eddy didn’t write it) that is a good ol’ whoopin’ and hollerin’ rocker, with an interesting story, is “Ramrod.” Written by Al Casey, it was first released as a single in ’57 with Al Casey playing lead guitar, but the record was credited to “Duane Eddy and the Rock-A-Billies.” “The Beatles, then called The Silver Beetles recorded a cover of ‘Ramrod’ from Paul McCartney’s bathroom in July 1960. The version was never officially released and it circulated on bootlegs.” (Wiki)