Johnny Rivers' "Poor Side of Town" is the sixth release off of Marty's new 20-song digital project, Songs I Sing In The Dark. To learn more about the series, visit https://smarturl.it/i96m2i.
Stuart shares about the song:
"One of the smiles the Songs I Sing in the Dark series has brought is, some of the songs have taken me back in a heartfelt way to my earliest days as a musician, to a time when I was falling head over heels in love with music. Those hot Mississippi summers of the 1960s were defined by the songs on the radio, adding records to my stack, watching my favorite musical television shows, and the pure joy of becoming a guitar player. It felt so noble. The ultimate thrill was getting to actually take my Fender guitar somewhere and playing it for the people. Gospel music, country music, rhythm & blues, soul, and rock & roll seemed to meet me wherever I’d go. After all, we’re talking Mississippi. When you cross the state line the sign reads, “Welcome to Mississippi, the Birthplace of American Music.” It’s a place where every denomination of music is welcomed, and I fell right in line with that way of thinking. In the 1960s, Johnny Rivers was especially popular in the Magnolia State. His songs seemed to just float along on the breeze and make themselves at home wherever they landed. His music paid no attention to categorical boundaries, and bands from almost every genre played his songs. Johnny Rivers was sharp. His red Gibson guitar, stylish clothes, modern hair, California vibe, sneer, and especially his radio songs made him among the coolest of cats in my eyes. I was a guitar goner the first time I heard his recording of “Secret Agent Man.” I still think it’s one of the baddest records of all time. Johnny Rivers has so many great songs to his credit, but his and Lou Adler’s composition of “Poor Side of Town” is the one that has followed me around year after year. I’ve always loved to sing it just so I can play the famous guitar lick that is so much a part of the song.
When Johnny came to guest on my television show, I requested that he do “Poor Side of Town.” He obliged, and it sounded wonderful. That encounter was the one, and only time I have ever been in the same room as Johnny Rivers. He’s a great artist, an essential, timeless cat…and I believe with all my heart that he deserves to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. And, “Poor Side of Town” is just one of the many reasons why."
Guitar and Vocal - Marty Stuart
Bass - Paul Martin
B-3 - Kell Martin
Drums - March Martin
Shake Guitar - Mick Conley
Viola - Kristin Wilkinson
Violins - David Angell & David Davidson
Cello - Sari Reist
Orchestration by Kristin Wilkinson
Executive Producer - Marty Stuart
Recorded and Mixed by Mick Conley
Cinematography by Adam Lammers & Cody Peavy
Photography by Alysse Gafkjen
Editing and Visual Effects by Adam Lammers & Cody Peavy
Production Assistant - Maria-Elena Orbea
Originally recorded by Johnny Rivers
Written by Johnny Rivers & Lou Adler
Recorded at 176 Caudill Drive and Clubhouse Recording
Strings recorded at Paxton Manor
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