Canadian pianist Bobby Munro was a native of Truro, Nova Scotia, and was active on the country scene in his native land in the 1960s and '70s. He backed many Canadian country artists including Dick Nolan, Myrna Lorrie and the group Eastwind.
Soon after Piano Country came out in 1974 the company that issued it, Marathon Music, went bankrupt and was sold to another Canadian company, Boot Records. Other than the fact that he apparently played some gigs in Hawaii, I could find no more information about Mr. Munro.
Among the tracks on Piano Country was Truck Stop, which had been a minor hit for Nashville pianist Jerry Smith in 1969. Munro has a more robust approach to the tune, which you can listen to below.
Truck Stop
All the tracks from the 1974 LP, plus 12 more, are included on a Piano Country CD, apparently available only from the Canadian mail order firm Country Music Treasures.com.
To conclude, here's Jerry Smith playing the original version of Truck Stop.
Actually, after the Bankruptcy, Marathon was re-organized into the Condor label. Jack Boswell, who had run the Marathon label, eventually regained full control of the Condor label. His son now runs it, and these CDs are available from many independent retailers and mail order outfits across Canada.
ReplyDeleteLater in the 1970s, Bobby Munro did a second Country Piano album for the Kodiak label, which was somehow (IDK how tho), tied in with Marathon/Condor...... the second album was titled "88 Country Keys"...... The "Piano Country" CD contains both albums.
Bobby, not sure if you would remember me - you played piano on a record I made at Rodeo Records, in St Margaret's bay. I've thought of you and all the musicians, Vic Mullen included - over the years and often wondered if you are still playing and living in the Halifax area.
ReplyDeleteMy first instinct was to find you on Facebook, but couldn't find you there so I just googled you. If you are around, I'd love to hear f rom you.
Liz (Coulter) Shearer