This 1996 CD from England's now-defunct Charly label contains 26 tracks by the Prisonaires, Sam Phillips' discovery from the Tennessee State Penitentiary in Nashville. Johnny Bragg (lead), John Drue (first tenor), Ed Thurman (second tenor), William Stewart (baritone/guitarist), and Marcell Sanders (bass) were all serving time in the Tennessee State "Pen" in 1953 when Jim Bulleit of Nashville sent a tape recording of some of their songs to Sam Phillips at Sun Records in Memphis. Arrangements were made with the Governor of Tennessee, Frank Clement, to allow the prisoners to travel to Memphis for the first of several recording sessions.
Liner notes by Adam Komorowski give the story of the group in considerable detail, and are accompanied by a complete Prisonaires discography in the 16-page booklet that accompanies the CD. While this is not "complete" in the sense of having every track laid down for Sun by the Prisonaires, it does contain at least one rendition of every song which they cut for Sun during their approximately 18-month recording career at the label, whether or not originally released, plus 5 alternate takes. It should be all the "Prisonaires" you'll ever need, IF you can find it.
Definitley worth looking for - mine came from a "cutout" bin just recently.
Track Listing:
1. Baby Please
2. Just Walkin' In The Rain
3. My God Is Real
4. Softly And Tenderly
5. A Prisoner's Prayer
6. I Know (alternate take)
7. No More Tears
8. I Wish
9. Don't Say Tomorrow
10. There's Love in You
11. What'll You Do Next?
12. Surleen
13. What About Frank Clement
14. Two Strangers
15. If I Were A King
16. All Alone And Lonely
17. Rocking Horse
18. That Chick's Too Young To Fry
19. Lucille I Want You
20. I Know
21. Friends Call Me A Fool
22. Dreaming Of You
23. Just Walkin' In The Rain (alternate take)
24. No More Tears (alternate take)
25. What'll You Do Next? (alternate take)
26. Baby Please (alternate take)
