Stacked Deck

Last updated
Stacked Deck
Arastacked.jpg
Studio album by
Released1975
Studio Phillips Recording, Memphis, Tennessee
Genre Country rock, Soft rock, Southern rock
Length40:35
Label ABC
Producer Barry "Byrd" Burton
Amazing Rhythm Aces chronology
Stacked Deck
(1975)
Too Stuffed to Jump
(1976)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svg link
Christgau's Record Guide A− [1]

Stacked Deck is the debut album by American country rock group the Amazing Rhythm Aces, released in 1975 on the ABC label. The album was recorded at the Phillips Recording Studio in Memphis, Tennessee and was produced by group member Barry "Byrd" Burton. Most of the material was composed by the group's lead singer Russell Smith.

Contents

Stacked Deck reached #11 on the US country chart and #120 on the Billboard albums chart. It includes the group's biggest hit single, "Third Rate Romance", which peaked at #11 country and #14 pop, and did even better in Canada where it topped both the country and pop chart. "Amazing Grace (Used to Be Her Favorite Song)" was also released as a single and made #9 on the country chart, although it stalled at #72 on the pop chart.

Stacked Deck has become a very highly regarded album, and has been given the maximum five-star rating on the Allmusic website.

Track listing

All tracks written by Russell Smith unless stated

  1. "Third Rate Romance" 3:17
  2. "The 'Ella B'" 4:33
  3. "Life's Railway to Heaven" (traditional, arranged by Barry Burton) 4:20
  4. "The Beautiful Lie" (Butch McDade) 2:54
  5. "Hit the Nail on the Head" 2:22
  6. "Who Will the Next Fool Be" (Charlie Rich) 2:48
  7. "Amazing Grace (Used to Be Her Favorite Song)" 3:17
  8. "Anything You Want" (Russell Smith, James H. Brown Jr.) 3:48
  9. "My Tears Still Flow" 3:25
  10. "Emma-Jean" 2:47
  11. "Why Can't I Be Satisfied" 3:03
  12. "King of the Cowboys" (Russell Smith, James H. Brown Jr.) 4:01
  13. “Mystery Train” (Junior Parker) 02:51

Musicians

The Amazing Rhythm Aces
Additional Personnel

Recording

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mystery Train</span> 1953 song by Junior Parker

"Mystery Train" is a song written and recorded by American blues musician Junior Parker in 1953. Originally performed in the style of a Memphis blues or rhythm and blues tune, it was inspired by earlier songs and later became a popular rockabilly song, as first covered by Elvis Presley, then numerous others.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Amazing Rhythm Aces</span>

The Amazing Rhythm Aces is an American country rock group, which has characterized its music as "American music" or "roots music"—a blend of rock, country, blues, R&B, folk, reggae, and Latino. The band is best known for its 1975 hit "Third Rate Romance". They have released 18 albums over 30 years. The band's music is distinguished by its eclectic scope, literate and often quirky lyrics, and distinctive vocals by lead singer and songwriter Russell Smith.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I'm Happy Just to Dance with You</span> 1964 single by the Beatles

"I'm Happy Just to Dance with You" is a song written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney and recorded in 1964 by the English rock band the Beatles for the film soundtrack to A Hard Day's Night. Lead vocals are by George Harrison, whose performance in the film marked the first mass media depiction of Harrison singing lead.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jesse Winchester</span> American-Canadian singer-songwriter and producer (1944–2014)

James Ridout "Jesse" Winchester Jr. was an American-Canadian musician and songwriter. He was born and raised in the southern United States. Opposed to the Vietnam War, he moved to Canada in 1967 to avoid being drafted into the US military while the US engaged in the Vietnam War and began his career as a solo artist. His highest-charting recordings were of his own songs, "Yankee Lady" in 1970 and "Say What" in 1981. He became a Canadian citizen in 1973, gained amnesty in the U.S. in 1977 and resettled in Memphis, Tennessee in 2002.

<i>Miss the Mississippi</i> 1979 studio album by Crystal Gayle

Miss the Mississippi is a studio album by American country music singer Crystal Gayle. Released in September 1979, it peaked at #3 on the Billboard Country Albums chart.

<i>Spicks and Specks</i> (album) 1966 studio album by the Bee Gees

Spicks and Specks is the second studio album by the Bee Gees. It was released in November 1966, on Spin. Primarily written by Barry Gibb, the album includes the first Robin Gibb composition "I Don't Know Why I Bother With Myself" and a Maurice Gibb composition "Where Are You".

<i>Good Times</i> (Elvis Presley album) 1974 studio album by Elvis Presley

Good Times is the twentieth studio album by American singer and musician Elvis Presley, released on March 20, 1974. The album was constructed by the first pick of a session held at Stax Studios in Memphis in December 1973 and two songs, "I've Got a Thing About You Baby" and "Take Good Care of Her", which were left over from the session at Stax in July 1973. The album includes a collection of songs that vary in style and genre. Released the same day as the recording of Elvis: Recorded Live on Stage in Memphis was being made, the title was taken from the song "Talk About the Good Times". Many of the songs are covers of hits at the time, like "Spanish Eyes" and "She Wears My Ring". Charting low at the time of its release, it was considered typical 1970s Elvis material and was his first album to hit the "cut-out bins". The album did have some success though upon its original release, becoming a Cashbox Country Albums number 1 hit and charting in the Top 50 in the UK.

<i>From Memphis to Vegas / From Vegas to Memphis</i> 1969 studio album and live album by Elvis Presley

From Memphis to Vegas / From Vegas to Memphis is the 10th studio album and the second live album by American singer and musician Elvis Presley. It was released on October 14, 1969, by RCA Records. It is a double album: the first album, titled In Person at the International Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, contains the live recordings of Presley's hits at the International Hotel in Winchester, Nevada, while the second album, titled Back in Memphis, contains entirely new material recorded at American Sound Studio in Memphis. The album peaked at No. 12 on the Billboard 200, and was certified Gold on December 13, 1969, by the Recording Industry Association of America.

<i>From Elvis Presley Boulevard, Memphis, Tennessee</i> 1976 studio album by Elvis Presley

From Elvis Presley Boulevard, Memphis, Tennessee is the twenty-third studio album by American singer and musician Elvis Presley, released by RCA Records in May 1976. It became Presley's fourth album to reach #1 on the Billboard country music album sales chart within the last four years.

<i>Demon Flower</i> 1994 studio album by Hunters & Collectors

Demon Flower is the eighth studio album by Australian rock band, Hunters & Collectors and was released on 16 May 1994. It was co-produced by the band with Nick Mainsbridge, reaching No. 2 on the ARIA Albums Chart and was certified Gold by the Australian Recording Industry Association. It also peaked at No. 9 on the New Zealand Albums Chart.

<i>Lost in Love</i> (Air Supply album) 1980 studio album by Air Supply

Lost in Love is the fifth studio album by British/Australian soft rock band Air Supply, released in March 1980. Their previous four albums never received much attention outside Australia, but Lost in Love was a success on international charts. In the US, it peaked at No. 22 with three singles reaching the top 5. The album was certified 2× platinum by the RIAA in 1991.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Respect Yourself</span> 1971 single by the Staple Singers

"Respect Yourself" is a song by American R&B/gospel group the Staple Singers. Released in late 1971 from their album Be Altitude: Respect Yourself, the song became a crossover hit. The Staple Singers' version peaked at No. 12 on the Hot 100, No. 2 on the Hot Soul Singles chart, and is one of the group's most recognizable hits. In 2002, the song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, and in 2010 it was ranked #468 on the Rolling Stone list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time, moving down 4 spots from #464 in 2004.

<i>Feelin Good Train</i> 1994 studio album by Sammy Kershaw

Feelin' Good Train is the third studio album by American country music artist Sammy Kershaw. It was released in 1994 on Mercury Records. The album produced four singles for Kershaw on the Billboard country charts. The first two singles were "National Working Woman's Holiday" and a cover of the Amazing Rhythm Aces' "Third Rate Romance", both of which peaked at #2. Following it was a cover of the Mac McAnally song "Southbound" at #27 and also "If You're Gonna Walk, I'm Gonna Crawl" at #18. Also included is a re-release of a duet with George Jones called "Never Bit a Bullet Like This", which was previously released on Jones' 1993 album High-Tech Redneck.

Howard Russell Smith was an American singer and songwriter. He was the lead singer of the groups The Amazing Rhythm Aces and Run C&W. As a solo artist, he released four studio albums and charted five singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart between 1984 and 1989.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Third Rate Romance</span> 1975 single by Amazing Rhythm Aces

"Third Rate Romance" is a song written by Russell Smith, first recorded in Montreal in 1974 by Jesse Winchester and his band the Rhythm Aces, assisted by Smith. It became a hit the following year by the newly re-formed Amazing Rhythm Aces on its 1975 album Stacked Deck. It was the band's debut single, reaching No.11 on the U.S. country singles chart and No.14 on the Billboard Hot 100, as well as No.1 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks and Top Singles charts.

<i>Too Stuffed to Jump</i> 1976 studio album by Amazing Rhythm Aces

Too Stuffed to Jump is an album by the Amazing Rhythm Aces, released in 1976.

<i>Toucan Do It Too</i> 1977 studio album by Amazing Rhythm Aces

Toucan Do It Too is the third album by American country rock group the Amazing Rhythm Aces, released in 1977 on ABC Records. It reached No. 24 on the US country chart and No. 114 on the Billboard albums chart.

<i>Burning the Ballroom Down</i> 1978 studio album by Amazing Rhythm Aces

Burning the Ballroom Down is the fourth album by American country rock group the Amazing Rhythm Aces, released in 1978 on the ABC label. It reached No. 28 on the US country chart and No. 166 on the Billboard albums chart.. The cover art is a book illustration by Danish artist Kay Nielsen titled "The Lovers Perish in Fire".

<i>The Hottest Night of the Year</i> 1982 studio album by Anne Murray

The Hottest Night of the Year is the nineteenth studio album by Canadian country pop artist Anne Murray. It was released by Capitol Records in 1982. The album reached #29 on Billboard's Country albums chart and peaked at #90 on the Billboard Pop albums chart. Its US sales were estimated at 200,000 copies.

<i>Hank Wilsons Back Vol. I</i> 1973 album by Leon Russell

Hank Wilson's Back Vol. I is an album by singer and songwriter Leon Russell singing as Hank Wilson. The UK edition has a banner printed on the front of the sleeve to the right of Russell's stetson saying "Leon Russell!", presumably as a marketing initiative to promote the album using the strength of Russell's name.

References