Roger Tillison was born in Oklahoma, and began his musical career at a young age as a jazz trumpet player. He dropped out of school, joined the military, and a few years later went to art school. It was this time, in the early 60s, that he was turned on to the sound of the folk revival. His musical direction changed, and he embarked on a career as a folk singer as he travelled America. In L.A., he became friends with such greats as Leon Russell, JJ Cale, Jim Keltner, Levon Helm and others. One of his songs, "You Don't Have To Paint Me A Picture", became a hit for Gary Lewis in 1966. He also briefly performed as a folk duo with guitarist Jesse Ed Davis.His solo album was recorded and released in 1971, produced by Davis, and featuring Keltner in the drum seat. It's a great mix of roots-rock styles, ranging from hard bluesy shuffles to moments of country-folk. Alongside six original songs are covers of Bob Dylan's "Down In The Flood", Woody Guthrie's "Old Cracked Looking Glass", Don Nix's "Yazoo City Jail", Stevie Wonder's "Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever" and The Band's "Get Up Jake" (which they wouldn't release themselves until 1972).
Tillison has travelled and done various things since this album, including time working as an illustrator for the army, and helping build a memorial for Vietnam war vets in New Mexico. He has toured with JJ Cale, who covered his song "One Step Ahead Of The Blues" on 1982's Grasshopper. He eventually released his second album in 2003, over thirty years since his first. Today he lives in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
|> Mamble Jamble (2003)
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7 comments:
This sounds an interesting album. I have enjoyed reading your posting in the last couple of weeks. Hope you keep it going
I'm listening to Roger's 1971 LP right now as I sit here working away as a freelance writer. It's always been one of my favorites, esp with Jesse Ed, who I love, so ingrained in it. Roger's versions of Get Up Jake (Robbie Robertson) and Down in the Flood (Dylan) are awesome, contagious and unforgettable. His own material is top quality. Love to hear his 03 LP.
ROGER ONCE TOLD ME HE USED TO HANG WITH THE HAWKS BEFORE THEY WERE FAMOUS, AND CLAIMED HE WROTE "GET UP JAKE"...USED TO HANG WITH HIM IN NORMAN AND STILLWATER IN THE EARLY 70'S...VERY SOULFULL CAT...ALTHO A BIT SPACEY...HE ALSO WROTE "NEON MOON" WHICH RONNIE DUNN RIPPED HIM OFF...SETTLED OUTTA COURT FOR $11GRAND-WHICH MADE BROOKS AND DUNN A HELL OF A LOT MORE...BEST WISHES ROG...HEARD YA BEEN DONW LATELY...SBJ
YEAH FORGOT, HE RECORDED HIS BASIC TRACKS WITH LEON WHO SENT THEM TO J.E.DAVIS TO FINISH,REMARKABLE THAT THEY COULD PUT SOMETHIN SO FUNKY OUT WITHOUT BEIN IN THE SAME STUDIO TOGETHER...THE FIRST COVER DEPICTS ROGER WIPING HIS NOSE...I THINK HE SAID THEY GAVE HIM $5 GRAND UPFRONT TO DO THE RECORD AND GUESS WHERE IT WENT? SBJ
Roger's got it and always will. A voice you'd never forget and a top song writer. They don't make 'em like Roger anymore.
Your road hog buddy,
KML
Really enjoyed listening to the honky tonk kind of sound on Cracked Looking Glass. I will have to look this album up.
Found a reference to Roger regarding "One step ahead of the blues" on Cale's Grasshopper album which they apparently cowrote. That is one of my top 3 songs that cale ever did. RIP JJ.
Roger was my brother.. We weren't that close in the later part of his life but I always wanted to record a track or 2 with him.. Now id kill just to have something he used to love like a guitar or something. I did get a strong set of music and artistry skills but I fear it died along with him as I'll never be able to do anything with it.. I miss you brother
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