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{{Short description|Musical style of Tulsa, Oklahoma}}
{{More citations needed|date=October 2013}}
{{Infobox music genre
⚫
The '''Tulsa sound''' is a popular musical style that originated in [[Tulsa, Oklahoma]] during the second half of the twentieth century.<ref>Wooley, John. "[https://web.archive.org/web/20100417010223/http://www.tulsaworld.com/webextra/content/2010/rockofages/article.aspx?subjectid=269&articleid=040102_Mu_s13_rock You know it when you hear it: Put that dictionary down: The Tulsa Sound is hard to define but easy on the ears]," ''[[Tulsa World]]'', January 2, 2004; no longer online, archived page at web.archive.org retrieved March 2, 2020.</ref> It is a mix of [[rockabilly]], [[country music|country]], [[rock 'n' roll]], swamp rock, and [[blues]] sounds of the late 1950s and early 1960s. Artists considered to have pioneered the Tulsa sound include [[J. J. Cale]]<ref>{{cite news|first=Dave |last=Hoekstra|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-3993782.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130603082720/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-3993782.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=3 June 2013 |title=Songwriter J. J. Cale prefers to remain in the background|work=[[Chicago Sun-Times]]|date=15 April 1990}}{{subscription required|via=[[HighBeam Research]]}}</ref>, [[Leon Russell]], [[Elvin Bishop]], [[Jesse Ed Davis]], [[Gus Hardin]]<ref>[http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?no=subj&articleid=553972 Singer Gus Hardin Killed in Accident]. TulsaWorld.com (February 18, 1996). Retrieved on November 29, 2019.</ref>, Roger Tillison, [[Eric Clapton]], [[Rocky Frisco]], [[Clyde Stacy]], [[Flash Terry]], [[Roy Clark]], [[The Tractors]], [[Steve Ripley]], [[David Teegarden]], [[Jeff Carson]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.oldies.com/artist-view/Jeff-Carson.html |title=Jeff Carson Biography |accessdate=2019-11-29 |work= Oldies.com}}</ref> Although [[David Gates]] (of [[Bread (band)|Bread]]) and [[Dwight Twilley]] are from Tulsa, their styles, [[soft rock]] and [[power pop]] respectively, are different from the Tulsa sound.
| name = Tulsa sound
| image =
| caption =
| stylistic_origins = {{hlist|[[Blues]]|[[Country music|country]]|[[rock and roll]]|[[rockabilly]]}}
| cultural_origins = 1950s
| derivatives = [[Red Dirt (music)|Red Dirt]], [[Southern rock]]
| subgenres =
| fusiongenres =
| regional_scenes =
| local_scenes =
| other_topics =
}}


⚫
The '''Tulsa sound''' is a popular musical style that originated in [[Tulsa, Oklahoma]], during the second half of the twentieth century.<ref>Wooley, John."[https://web.archive.org/web/20100417010223/http://www.tulsaworld.com/webextra/content/2010/rockofages/article.aspx?subjectid=269&articleid=040102_Mu_s13_rock You know it when you hear it: Put that dictionary down: The Tulsa Sound is hard to define but easy on the ears]," ''[[Tulsa World]]'', January 2, 2004; no longer online, archived page at web.archive.org retrieved March 2, 2020.</ref> It is a mix of [[blues]], [[blues rock]], [[Country music|country]], [[rock and roll]] and [[swamp pop]] sounds of the late 1950s and early 1960s. Artists considered to have pioneered the Tulsa sound include [[J. J. Cale]],<ref>{{cite news |last=Hoekstra |first=Dave |title=Songwriter J. J. Cale prefers to remain in the background |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-3993782.html |url-status=dead |work=[[Chicago Sun-Times]] |date=15 April 1990 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130603082720/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-3993782.html |archive-date=3 June 2013}}</ref> [[Leon Russell]],<ref>[https://www.allmusic.com/artist/leon-russell-mn0000816387 Leon Russell] Retrieved 21 November 2022</ref> Roger Tillison<ref>[https://americana-uk.com/forgotten-artists-roger-tillison Roger Tillison] Retrieved 24 November 2022</ref> and [[Elvin Bishop]].<ref>[https://www.allmusic.com/artist/elvin-bishop-mn0000796736/biography Elvin Bishop] Retrieved 19 November 2022</ref> After 1980, [[Gus Hardin]] (country),<ref>[http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?no=subj&articleid=553972 Singer Gus Hardin Killed in Accident]. TulsaWorld.com (February 18, 1996). Retrieved on November 29, 2019.</ref> and [[Jeff Carson]] (country) released roots music albums.<ref>{{cite web |title=Jeff Carson Biography |url=http://www.oldies.com/artist-view/Jeff-Carson.html |work=Oldies.com |accessdate=November 29, 2019}}</ref> Although [[Dwight Twilley]] is from Tulsa, his [[power pop]] style bears no resemblance to the Tulsa sound; likewise, [[David Gates]]' most recognized songs (including his work with [[Bread (band)|Bread]]) were mostly in the [[soft rock]] genre (though some of Gates' solo album cuts show a stronger Tulsa influence).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://tulsasoundfilm.com/|title=The Tulsa Sound|website=The Tulsa Sound}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://jbonamassa.com/jj-cale-pioneer-of-the-tulsa-sound/|title=JJ Cale – Pioneer of The Tulsa Sound – Joe Bonamassa}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.oklahomatoday.com/history-culture/mad-songs-and-oklahomans-the-tulsa-sound-part-one|title=Mad Songs & Oklahomans: The Tulsa Sound Part One|first=Preston|last=Jones|date=April 20, 2023|website=Oklahoma Today}}</ref>
⚫
==History==
⚫
The first appearance of note by a Tulsa sound musician was Rocky Frisco's<ref>http://www.rockyfrisco.com/</ref> Columbia Harmony vinyl album, ''The Big Ten'', under the name "Rocky Curtiss and the Harmony Flames". The album was recorded in New York at Columbia's studio at 33rd and 3rd Street in 1959 during a time when Rocky lived in Pennsylvania. [[Clyde Stacy]]<ref>http://www.rockabilly.nl/references/messages/clyde_stacy.htm</ref> was one of the first, if not the first, Tulsa sound musicians to score a nationally charted record, "Hoy Hoy b/w So Young". This was actually a double-sided hit released by [[Candlelight Records]] in 1957. Don Wallace, a popular Tulsa disc jockey, was instrumental in landing the recording contract for Clyde Stacy. Members of the NiteCaps during that period were John D. Levan, Rick Eilerts, and Bill Torbett. John D. Levan was one of the first Tulsa lead guitarists having played for both Clyde Stacy in 1955, and Gene Crose 1956, then again with Stacy in 1957. Levan was inducted into the [[Rockabilly Hall of Fame]] in August 2004 along with Tulsa Radio Personality "Rockin" John Henry.<ref>[http://www.rockabillyhall.com Rockabillyhall.com] (accessed October 8, 2013)</ref> Another Tulsan, Billy Reynolds Eustise, scored a hit with his 1957 recording of "Cherry Pie".


⚫
==History==
A note from Rocky Frisco: "It's my opinion that the real roots to the Tulsa sound lead to [[Flash Terry]] and his band. Flash played at the Flamingo Lounge, on Greenwood. In 1957, Flash invited me to the weekly jam, on Tuesday nights, so I showed up and sang a few songs. I told Cale and Bill I had enjoyed the visit, so the next time I went, they came too. As time passed, more of the guys came and played. I was with Cale at a radio station in California when he said, 'There really isn't a Tulsa sound.'"
⚫
The first appearance of note by a Tulsa sound musician was Rocky Frisco's<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rockyfrisco.com/ |title=Home |website=rockyfrisco.com}}</ref> Columbia Harmony vinyl album, ''The Big Ten'', under the name "Rocky Curtiss and the Harmony Flames". The album was recorded in New York City at Columbia's studio at 33rd Street and 3rd Avenue in 1959, during a time when Frisco lived in Pennsylvania. Rockabilly musician [[Clyde Stacy]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rockabilly.nl/references/messages/clyde_stacy.htm |title=CLYDE STACY |website=www.rockabilly.nl |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111007043056/http://rockabilly.nl/references/messages/clyde_stacy.htm |archive-date=2011-10-07}}</ref> was one of the first, if not the first, Tulsa sound musicians to score a nationally charted record, "Hoy Hoy" b/w "So Young", backed by his band the NiteCaps. This was a double-sided hit released by [[Candlelight Records]] in 1957. Members of the NiteCaps during that period were guitarist John D. Levan and others. Levan was inducted into the [[Rockabilly Hall of Fame]] in August 2004 along with Tulsa Radio Personality "Rockin" John Henry.<ref>[http://www.rockabillyhall.com Rockabillyhall.com] (accessed October 8, 2013)</ref>


Marvin & Johnny recorded "Cherry Pie" in 1954. In 1958, another Tulsan, Billy Reynolds Eustise, and the Tri-Lads scored a hit with "Cherry Pie".<ref>[https://www.rocky-52.net/chanteurst/tri_lads.htm the Tri-Lads] Retrieved 19 November 2022</ref> Rocky Frisco published blues musician [[Flash Terry]]<ref>[https://www.allmusic.com/artist/flash-terry-mn0000125092 Flash Terry] Retrieved 19 November 2022</ref>'s photo on his website. <!-- Flash played at the Flamingo Lounge, on Greenwood. In 1957, Flash invited me to the weekly jam, on Tuesday nights, so I showed up and sang a few songs. As time passed, more of the guys came and played. I was with Cale at a radio station in Califor-->
Another band to exemplify the Tulsa sound was [[Cargoe]]. They, along with James Mobley and Steamer's Trunk were the house bands at The Machine, one of Tulsa’s popular clubs, and played at radio station KAKC's free music in the parks shows, which attracted just about all of the players listed above.


Leon Russell was the first member of the Tulsa scene to make inroads into the [[Los Angeles|L.A.]] music scene, playing for [[Ricky Nelson]] along with [[James Burton]]. He then joined [[Phil Spector]]'s [[The Wrecking Crew (music)|Wrecking Crew]] and then produced [[Gary Lewis (musician)|Gary Lewis]] and [[Jan & Dean]]. He brought many Tulsans out to Los Angeles, including Jimmy Karstein, Bill Raffensperger, Tommy Tripplehorn, [[Carl Radle]] and Larry Bell<!-- larry bell redirects to the founder of bell corp., so if a link should be made it should link elsewhere -->, and was later co-owner of the historic [[The Church Studio]] in Tulsa and home to [[Shelter Records]], which signed a number of significant Tulsa sound artists including [[Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers]].<ref>Joshua Kline, [http://thislandpress.com/06/23/2010/past-and-future-sound/ "Past and Future Sound"], ''This Land Press'', June 23, 2010.</ref><ref>Mike Easterling, [http://www.urbantulsa.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A28477 "Feels Like Religion: Jesus and Leon might have left the building, but almost 30 years later, the Church Studio resurrects its legendary music and religious past."] ''[[Urban Tulsa Weekly]]'', November 11, 2009.</ref> [[The Church Studio]] was purchased in 2016 by husband and wife Ivan Acosta<ref>http://m.tulsaworld.com/blogs/scene/offbeat/with-new-owners-the-church-studio-aims-for-recognition/article_66d41471-9e36-5851-ba77-96edf3eed8eb.html?mode=jqm</ref> and [[Teresa Knox]], who have said they intend to renovate the building, seek registration on the [[National Register of Historic Places]], and use it as a recording studio and community facility.<ref>Jerry Wofford, [http://m.tulsaworld.com/blogs/scene/offbeat/with-new-owners-the-church-studio-aims-for-recognition/article_66d41471-9e36-5851-ba77-96edf3eed8eb.html?mode=jqm "With new owners, The Church Studio aims for recognition"], ''[[Tulsa World]]'', October 27, 2016.</ref>
[[J. J. Cale]]'s "After Midnight" was covered by [[Eric Clapton]]. [[Leon Russell]] was the first member of the Tulsa scene to make inroads into the [[Los Angeles]] music scene, playing for [[Ricky Nelson]] along with [[James Burton]]. He then joined [[Phil Spector]]'s [[The Wrecking Crew (music)|Wrecking Crew]] and then produced [[Gary Lewis (musician)|Gary Lewis]] and [[Jan & Dean]]. He joined Joe Cocker's Mad dogs and Englishmen. Russell performanced "Jumpin' Jack Flash/Young Blood" at Bangladesh concert.<ref>[https://www.leonrussell.com/concert-for-bangladesh L Russel] Retrieved 19 November 2022</ref> Leon Russell wrote "Super Star" and "A Song for You". The Carpenters covered those songs. Russell recorded "Carney" album, and he gained hit "Tight rope" in 1972. He brought many Tulsans out to Los Angeles, including [[Carl Radle]] and Larry Bell<!-- larry bell redirects to the founder of bell corp., so if a link should be made it should link elsewhere -->, and was later co-owner of the historic [[The Church Studio]] in Tulsa and home to [[Shelter Records]], which signed a number of significant Tulsa sound artists including [[Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers]].<ref>Joshua Kline, [http://thislandpress.com/06/23/2010/past-and-future-sound/ "Past and Future Sound"], ''This Land Press'', June 23, 2010.</ref><ref>Mike Easterling, [http://www.urbantulsa.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A28477 "Feels Like Religion: Jesus and Leon might have left the building, but almost 30 years later, the Church Studio resurrects its legendary music and religious past."] ''[[Urban Tulsa Weekly]]'', November 11, 2009.</ref> The Church Studio was purchased in 2016 by husband and wife Ivan Acosta<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://m.tulsaworld.com/blogs/scene/offbeat/with-new-owners-the-church-studio-aims-for-recognition/article_66d41471-9e36-5851-ba77-96edf3eed8eb.html?mode=jqm|title = With new owners, the Church Studio aims for recognition}}</ref> and [[Teresa Knox]], who have said they intend to renovate the building, seek registration on the [[National Register of Historic Places]], and use it as a recording studio and community facility.<ref>Jerry Wofford, [http://m.tulsaworld.com/blogs/scene/offbeat/with-new-owners-the-church-studio-aims-for-recognition/article_66d41471-9e36-5851-ba77-96edf3eed8eb.html?mode=jqm "With new owners, The Church Studio aims for recognition"], ''[[Tulsa World]]'', October 27, 2016.</ref> [[Elvin Bishop]] gained hit "Fooled Around and Fell in Love" in 1976. [[Jesse Ed Davis]] and [[Jim Keltner]] were from Oklahoma State. [[The Tractors]] released first album "The Tractors" in 1994.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.countrystandardtime.com/d/article.asp?xid=807|title=The Tractors plow ahead – November 1998|website=Countrystandardtime.com| access-date=15 August 2024}}</ref>


==Influence==
==Influence==
[[Eric Clapton]] was the most prominent non-Tulsa artist associated with the Tulsa sound. For 10 years, Clapton's band consisted of Tulsans Carl Radle (bass), Dick Sims (organ), and [[Jamie Oldaker]] (drums). During that time, Clapton was a frequent performer at a variety of venues in the Tulsa area. In his review of Clapton's 1978 album ''Backless'', critic [[Robert Christgau]] wrote, "Whatever Eric isn't anymore . . . he's certainly king of the Tulsa sound."<ref>[[Robert Christgau]], ''Rock Albums of the '70s: A Critical Guide'' ([[Da Capo Press]], 1990), {{ISBN|978-0-306-80409-0}}, p. 82. [https://books.google.com/books?id=M_WYoRHmwJEC&pg=PA82 Excerpt available] at [[Google Books]].</ref>
Eric Clapton was the most prominent non-Tulsa artist associated with the Tulsa sound. For 10 years, his band consisted of Tulsans Carl Radle (bass), Dick Sims (organ), and [[Jamie Oldaker]] (drums). During that time Clapton was a frequent performer at a variety of venues in the Tulsa area. In his review of Clapton's 1978 album ''Backless'', critic [[Robert Christgau]] wrote, "Whatever Eric isn't anymore . . . he's certainly king of the Tulsa sound."<ref>[[Robert Christgau]], ''Rock Albums of the '70s: A Critical Guide'' ([[Da Capo Press]], 1990), {{ISBN|978-0-306-80409-0}}, p. 82. [https://books.google.com/books?id=M_WYoRHmwJEC&pg=PA82 Excerpt available] at [[Google Books]].</ref>


In addition to Clapton, J.J. Cale's influence has been cited by [[Mark Knopfler]], among others. His songs have been recorded by many artists, including Clapton, [[Lynyrd Skynyrd]], [[Deep Purple]], [[The Allman Brothers Band]], [[Johnny Cash]], [[John Mayer]], [[The Band]], [[Kansas (band)|Kansas]], [[Carlos Santana|Santana]], [[Captain Beefheart]], [[Widespread Panic]], and [[Bryan Ferry]]. The songs of Tulsan Elvin Bishop have often been covered by other artists, including [[Starship (band)|Starship]]. [[Taj Mahal (musician)|Taj Mahal]] had two Tulsans in his band: Chuck Blackwell and Gary Gillmore, and one Oklahoma City native, Jesse Ed Davis<!-- links to a murderer, should link elsewhere if linked -->.
In addition to Clapton, J.J. Cale's influence has been cited by [[Mark Knopfler]], among others. His songs have been recorded by many artists, including Clapton, [[Lynyrd Skynyrd]], [[Deep Purple]], [[the Allman Brothers Band]], [[Johnny Cash]], [[John Mayer]], [[The Band]], [[Kansas (band)|Kansas]], [[Carlos Santana|Santana]], [[Captain Beefheart]], [[Widespread Panic]], and [[Bryan Ferry]]. The songs of Tulsan Elvin Bishop have often been covered by other artists, including [[Starship (band)|Starship]]. [[Taj Mahal (musician)|Taj Mahal]] had two Tulsans in his band: Chuck Blackwell and Gary Gillmore, and one Oklahoma City native, Jesse Ed Davis<!-- links to a murderer, should link elsewhere if linked -->.


Music journalist John Wooley and others have noted that the Tulsa sound has directly and indirectly contributed to various other genres of music, including genres outside rock music, such as [[alt-country]] and [[Red Dirt (music)|Red Dirt music]].<ref>John Wooley, ''From the Blue Devils to Red Dirt: The Colors of Oklahoma Music'' (Hawk Publishing Group, 2006), {{ISBN|978-1-930709-61-4}}.</ref><ref>Thomas Conner, "Getting Along: Woody Guthrie and Oklahoma's Red Dirt Musicians" in Davis D. Joyce & [[Fred R. Harris]], eds., ''Alternative Oklahoma: Contrarian Views of the Sooner State'' ([[University of Oklahoma Press]], 2007), {{ISBN|978-0-8061-3819-0}}, p. 92. [https://books.google.com/books?id=nuvg38JoFPoC&pg=PA92 Excerpt available] at [[Google Books]].</ref>
Music journalist John Wooley and others have noted that the Tulsa sound has directly and indirectly contributed to various other genres of music, including genres outside rock music, such as [[alt-country]] and [[Red Dirt (music)|Red Dirt music]], the latter of which also originated in Oklahoma (Red Dirt originated in [[Stillwater, Oklahoma|Stillwater]]).<ref>John Wooley, ''From the Blue Devils to Red Dirt: The Colors of Oklahoma Music'' (Hawk Publishing Group, 2006), {{ISBN|978-1-930709-61-4}}.</ref><ref>Thomas Conner, "Getting Along: Woody Guthrie and Oklahoma's Red Dirt Musicians" in Davis D. Joyce & [[Fred R. Harris]], eds., ''Alternative Oklahoma: Contrarian Views of the Sooner State'' ([[University of Oklahoma Press]], 2007), {{ISBN|978-0-8061-3819-0}}, p. 92. [https://books.google.com/books?id=nuvg38JoFPoC&pg=PA92 Excerpt available] at [[Google Books]].</ref> Leon Russell noted: "I'm not sure what the Tulsa sound is, I suppose it started when we were with Jerry Lee Lewis, we would be playing a shuffle while Jerry Lee played straight eighth notes, if that is what they call the Tulsa sound, that's not a bad thing".<ref>http://artofthesong.org/leon-russell-interview/ {{Dead link|date=February 2022}}</ref><ref>https://issuu.com/craftmagok/docs/cmok_aug_2019_digital, p. 10.</ref>
Leon Russell noted: "I'm not sure what the Tulsa sound is, I suppose it started when we were with Jerry Lee Lewis, we would be playing a shuffle while Jerry Lee played straight eighth notes, if that is what they call the Tulsa sound, that's not a bad thing".<ref>http://artofthesong.org/leon-russell-interview/</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
*[[Blues rock]]
*[[Country rock]]
*[[Country rock]]
*[[Blues]]
*[[American folk music|Roots music]]
*[[American folk music|Roots music]]
*[[Cross Canadian Ragweed]]
*[[Turnpike Troubadours]]
*[[Cody Canada and The Departed]]


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
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[[Category:Culture of Tulsa, Oklahoma]]
[[Category:Culture of Tulsa, Oklahoma]]
[[Category:American rock music genres]]
[[Category:Rock music genres]]
[[Category:American styles of music]]
[[Category:American styles of music]]
[[Category:Music scenes]]
[[Category:Music scenes]]

Latest revision as of 04:12, 15 August 2024

Tulsa sound
Stylistic origins
Cultural origins1950s
Derivative formsRed Dirt, Southern rock

The Tulsa sound is a popular musical style that originated in Tulsa, Oklahoma, during the second half of the twentieth century.[1] It is a mix of blues, blues rock, country, rock and roll and swamp pop sounds of the late 1950s and early 1960s. Artists considered to have pioneered the Tulsa sound include J. J. Cale,[2] Leon Russell,[3] Roger Tillison[4] and Elvin Bishop.[5] After 1980, Gus Hardin (country),[6] and Jeff Carson (country) released roots music albums.[7] Although Dwight Twilley is from Tulsa, his power pop style bears no resemblance to the Tulsa sound; likewise, David Gates' most recognized songs (including his work with Bread) were mostly in the soft rock genre (though some of Gates' solo album cuts show a stronger Tulsa influence).[8][9][10]

History

[edit]

The first appearance of note by a Tulsa sound musician was Rocky Frisco's[11] Columbia Harmony vinyl album, The Big Ten, under the name "Rocky Curtiss and the Harmony Flames". The album was recorded in New York City at Columbia's studio at 33rd Street and 3rd Avenue in 1959, during a time when Frisco lived in Pennsylvania. Rockabilly musician Clyde Stacy[12] was one of the first, if not the first, Tulsa sound musicians to score a nationally charted record, "Hoy Hoy" b/w "So Young", backed by his band the NiteCaps. This was a double-sided hit released by Candlelight Records in 1957. Members of the NiteCaps during that period were guitarist John D. Levan and others. Levan was inducted into the Rockabilly Hall of Fame in August 2004 along with Tulsa Radio Personality "Rockin" John Henry.[13]

Marvin & Johnny recorded "Cherry Pie" in 1954. In 1958, another Tulsan, Billy Reynolds Eustise, and the Tri-Lads scored a hit with "Cherry Pie".[14] Rocky Frisco published blues musician Flash Terry[15]'s photo on his website.

J. J. Cale's "After Midnight" was covered by Eric Clapton. Leon Russell was the first member of the Tulsa scene to make inroads into the Los Angeles music scene, playing for Ricky Nelson along with James Burton. He then joined Phil Spector's Wrecking Crew and then produced Gary Lewis and Jan & Dean. He joined Joe Cocker's Mad dogs and Englishmen. Russell performanced "Jumpin' Jack Flash/Young Blood" at Bangladesh concert.[16] Leon Russell wrote "Super Star" and "A Song for You". The Carpenters covered those songs. Russell recorded "Carney" album, and he gained hit "Tight rope" in 1972. He brought many Tulsans out to Los Angeles, including Carl Radle and Larry Bell, and was later co-owner of the historic The Church Studio in Tulsa and home to Shelter Records, which signed a number of significant Tulsa sound artists including Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.[17][18] The Church Studio was purchased in 2016 by husband and wife Ivan Acosta[19] and Teresa Knox, who have said they intend to renovate the building, seek registration on the National Register of Historic Places, and use it as a recording studio and community facility.[20] Elvin Bishop gained hit "Fooled Around and Fell in Love" in 1976. Jesse Ed Davis and Jim Keltner were from Oklahoma State. The Tractors released first album "The Tractors" in 1994.[21]

Influence

[edit]

Eric Clapton was the most prominent non-Tulsa artist associated with the Tulsa sound. For 10 years, his band consisted of Tulsans Carl Radle (bass), Dick Sims (organ), and Jamie Oldaker (drums). During that time Clapton was a frequent performer at a variety of venues in the Tulsa area. In his review of Clapton's 1978 album Backless, critic Robert Christgau wrote, "Whatever Eric isn't anymore . . . he's certainly king of the Tulsa sound."[22]

In addition to Clapton, J.J. Cale's influence has been cited by Mark Knopfler, among others. His songs have been recorded by many artists, including Clapton, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Deep Purple, the Allman Brothers Band, Johnny Cash, John Mayer, The Band, Kansas, Santana, Captain Beefheart, Widespread Panic, and Bryan Ferry. The songs of Tulsan Elvin Bishop have often been covered by other artists, including Starship. Taj Mahal had two Tulsans in his band: Chuck Blackwell and Gary Gillmore, and one Oklahoma City native, Jesse Ed Davis.

Music journalist John Wooley and others have noted that the Tulsa sound has directly and indirectly contributed to various other genres of music, including genres outside rock music, such as alt-country and Red Dirt music, the latter of which also originated in Oklahoma (Red Dirt originated in Stillwater).[23][24] Leon Russell noted: "I'm not sure what the Tulsa sound is, I suppose it started when we were with Jerry Lee Lewis, we would be playing a shuffle while Jerry Lee played straight eighth notes, if that is what they call the Tulsa sound, that's not a bad thing".[25][26]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Wooley, John."You know it when you hear it: Put that dictionary down: The Tulsa Sound is hard to define but easy on the ears," Tulsa World, January 2, 2004; no longer online, archived page at web.archive.org retrieved March 2, 2020.
  2. ^ Hoekstra, Dave (15 April 1990). "Songwriter J. J. Cale prefers to remain in the background". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on 3 June 2013.
  3. ^ Leon Russell Retrieved 21 November 2022
  4. ^ Roger Tillison Retrieved 24 November 2022
  5. ^ Elvin Bishop Retrieved 19 November 2022
  6. ^ Singer Gus Hardin Killed in Accident. TulsaWorld.com (February 18, 1996). Retrieved on November 29, 2019.
  7. ^ "Jeff Carson Biography". Oldies.com. Retrieved November 29, 2019.
  8. ^ "The Tulsa Sound". The Tulsa Sound.
  9. ^ "JJ Cale – Pioneer of The Tulsa Sound – Joe Bonamassa".
  10. ^ Jones, Preston (April 20, 2023). "Mad Songs & Oklahomans: The Tulsa Sound Part One". Oklahoma Today.
  11. ^ "Home". rockyfrisco.com.
  12. ^ "CLYDE STACY". www.rockabilly.nl. Archived from the original on 2011-10-07.
  13. ^ Rockabillyhall.com (accessed October 8, 2013)
  14. ^ the Tri-Lads Retrieved 19 November 2022
  15. ^ Flash Terry Retrieved 19 November 2022
  16. ^ L Russel Retrieved 19 November 2022
  17. ^ Joshua Kline, "Past and Future Sound", This Land Press, June 23, 2010.
  18. ^ Mike Easterling, "Feels Like Religion: Jesus and Leon might have left the building, but almost 30 years later, the Church Studio resurrects its legendary music and religious past." Urban Tulsa Weekly, November 11, 2009.
  19. ^ "With new owners, the Church Studio aims for recognition".
  20. ^ Jerry Wofford, "With new owners, The Church Studio aims for recognition", Tulsa World, October 27, 2016.
  21. ^ "The Tractors plow ahead – November 1998". Countrystandardtime.com. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
  22. ^ Robert Christgau, Rock Albums of the '70s: A Critical Guide (Da Capo Press, 1990), ISBN 978-0-306-80409-0, p. 82. Excerpt available at Google Books.
  23. ^ John Wooley, From the Blue Devils to Red Dirt: The Colors of Oklahoma Music (Hawk Publishing Group, 2006), ISBN 978-1-930709-61-4.
  24. ^ Thomas Conner, "Getting Along: Woody Guthrie and Oklahoma's Red Dirt Musicians" in Davis D. Joyce & Fred R. Harris, eds., Alternative Oklahoma: Contrarian Views of the Sooner State (University of Oklahoma Press, 2007), ISBN 978-0-8061-3819-0, p. 92. Excerpt available at Google Books.
  25. ^ http://artofthesong.org/leon-russell-interview/ [dead link‍]
  26. ^ https://issuu.com/craftmagok/docs/cmok_aug_2019_digital, p. 10.
[edit]
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