You'd be forgiven for thinking that the iconic American folk song The Wabash Cannonball was written as a tribute to an actual train, but in fact, in an interesting case of life-imitates-art, the actual train name was inspired by the song. The Lake Erie, Wabash, and St. Louis Railroad Company was formed in 1852, but there was no train called the “Cannonball” when the song was first sung late in the 19th century. There have been many, many, many wonderful versions through the years, but I think Roy Acuff pretty much owns it, wouldn't you say? [NOTE: See hoverovers for link descriptions] [more inside]
posted by flapjax at midnite on Jun 7, 2008 - 20 comments

Why are a blind man's songs so full of images? Smooth, ironic country blues. Echoes of vaudeville. Free mp3s: Dying Crapshooter's blues and Statesboboro blues, his best known. A nice recording, both sound quality and material: Pig 'n Whistle Red
posted by lw on Jun 20, 2006 - 12 comments