Sittin' in the Balcony

• Artist: John D. Loudermilk
• Rating:
• Release Date: July 05, 1995
• Total Time: 53:25
• Type: Compilation (best of)
• Genre: Rock

Review

23-song collection of his earliest material from 1957-60. Includes both sides of all five singles he recorded for Colonial (when he was known as Johnny Dee), and early Columbia singles, as well as three previously unreleased songs from the early Columbia era. "Sittin' in the Balcony" and the original, stark version of "Tobacco Road" are the clear highlights here. Most of the rest is timid rockabilly/pop, with songwriting that's riddled with goody-goody teen cliches; the novelty "Asiatic Flu" and "The Happy Wanderer (Val-De-Ri Val-De-Ra)" are downright unbearable. Still, it's probably Loudermilk's best work, considering that from 1960 on he principally worked as a songwriter, recording his own work only as a sideline. The previously unissued "The Angel of Flight 509" stirs mild interest, as it's a prototype of sorts for "Ebony Eyes," minus the tragic elements. ~ Richie Unterberger, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Sittin' in the Balcony	Johnny Dee	John D. Loudermilk	(2:00)
A-Plus in Love	Johnny Dee	John D. Loudermilk	(2:42)
It's Gotta Be You	Johnny Dee, Orville Campbell	John D. Loudermilk	(2:11)
Teenage Queen	Johnny Dee	John D. Loudermilk	(2:55)
1000 Concrete Blocks	Johnny Dee	John D. Loudermilk	(2:22)
In My Simple Way	Johnny Dee	John D. Loudermilk	(2:10)
That's All I've Got	Johnny Dee	John D. Loudermilk	(1:42)
Asiatic Flu	Johnny Dee	John D. Loudermilk	(2:20)
Somebody Sweet	Johnny Dee	John D. Loudermilk	(1:56)
They Were Right	Johnny Dee	John D. Loudermilk	(2:19)
Yearbook	John D. Loudermilk	John D. Loudermilk	(2:03)
Susie's House	John D. Loudermilk	John D. Loudermilk	(2:05)
Yo-Yo	John D. Loudermilk	John D. Loudermilk	(1:52)
Lover's Lane	John D. Loudermilk	John D. Loudermilk	(2:17)
Goin' Away to School	John D. Loudermilk	John D. Loudermilk	(2:14)
This Cold War With You	Floyd Tillman	John D. Loudermilk	(2:12)
Please Don't Play Number Nine	John D. Loudermilk, Marijohn Wilkin	John D. Loudermilk	(2:00)
The Angel of Flight	John D. Loudermilk	John D. Loudermilk	(2:12)
Midnight Bus	John D. Loudermilk, Marijohn Wilkin	John D. Loudermilk	(2:24)
The Red Headed Stranger		John D. Loudermilk	(3:25)
Tobacco Road	Edith Lindeman, Carl Stutz	John D. Loudermilk	(2:45)
The Happy Wanderer (Val-De-Ri-Val-De-Ra)	John D. Loudermilk	John D. Loudermilk	(3:10)
March of the Minute Men	John D. Loudermilk	John D. Loudermilk	(2:09)

Credits

Sylke Holtrop (Artwork), Joe Tanner (Guitar), Orville Campbell (Producer), Johnny Dee (Vocals), John D. Loudermilk (Guitar), Grady Martin (Guitar), Jerry Byrd (Bass), Marvin Hughes (Organ), R.A. Andreas (Illustrations), Marilyn Harman (Drums), Floyd Cramer (Piano), Harold Bradley (Guitar), Bob Moore (Bass), Bob Jones (Mastering), Marijohn Wilkin (Piano), Mark Wilder (Mixing), Don Law (Producer), Richard Weize (Producer), R.A. Andreas (Photography), John D. Loudermilk (Vocals), Ray Edenton (Guitar), Gerd Weiler (Artwork), Bob Jones (Transfers)