The Songs And Singings Of Okie Duke

Ain't Nothin' To It

The Songs And Singings Of Okie Duke
All words and music written and composed by Okie Duke
Produced by Dick Schory & Ron Steele
Arranged and Conductor: Bobby Christian
Photography & Cover Design: Gunar A. Barkans
Recording & Mixing Engineer: Brian Christian
Ovation Records OV/14-01
1969

Musicians:

Guitars - Phil Upchurch (Courtesy of Cadet Records) & Ron Steele
Bass - Louis Satterfield & Bob Surga
Drums - Norm Christian
Percussion - Frank Rullo
Woodwinds - Lenny Druss
Piano and Organ - Floyd Morris
Vibes, Tympani, Piano and Organ - Bobby Christian
French Horn - Ethel Merker and Ken Strahl
Trombones - John Avant and Morris Ellis
Trumpet - Murray "High Note" Watson
Strings - David Chausown, Sol Bobrov, Everett Mirskey, Elliot Golub, Harold Kupper and Karl Fruh

From the back cover: The problem with writing about any really talented performer today is that all the good adjectives have been used up. So when a person deserving them does come along, a barrelful of "terrific" and "greats" and "sensational" together doesn't have as much effect as the bite of a healthy goldfish.

Such is the case of Okie Duke. Okie is a true musician, a real singer, not just another flashy personalty that happens to sing. He's been a student of music since he was first old enough to say the word back in his hometown of Phillipsburg, N.J.

And that study hasn't been concentrated on just one style or school. He's hip to country music. And rock. And blues, soul, jazz, classical, pop and underground. Majoring in music and sociology at Moravian College he played Bach organ during the day and rock organ at night. And was really into both.

It's the same today. Primarily a singer-composer, Okie can still hold his own on the organ, piano, vibes or guitar. As a hobby he plays valve trombone. He writes songs, too.

All the tunes on this album are his... words and music. Listening to them, you first discover how good a singer Okie Duke is. Then getting around the words, you also learn how sensitive and aware is this young man.

He's taken feelings most of us have experienced from time to time, happy and sad, and set them to music. In each of his songs you'll discover a little more of Okie Duke. And of yourself.

While listening to this album, maybe a few meaningful words describing Okie Duke will come to you. But right now, perhaps the best way to say it is... "Okie Duke is a gas." – Moss Bassler

Sunshine And Rain Drops
Red Is Redder
There's No One In This World For Me
Pleasant Complications
I'm The Clown Who's Crying' Lonely Tears
Lonely In A Crowd
Ain't Nothin' To It
I Believe In Miracles
Ask Me And I'll Tell You
I'm Like Humpty Dumpty
Can't You Make Up You Mind?
Pretty Thoughts And Snowflakes