Let Me Dream On is a collection of Demos, outtakes and long hidden tapes by Johnny Bragg who was one of the main singers and songwriters for The Prisonaires the in-house band at Tennessee State Penitentiary. The tapes this album are taken from were found in a shed in Nashville. The cd version contains an extra 17 recordings to the vinyl I am writing about.
Aged just 17 Johnny was sentenced to 594 years without parole for seven rapes he wasn't guilty of, in a monumental miscarriage of justice. While in prison he formed The Prisonaires, who were signed by Sun Records before they signed Elvis or Jerry Lee Lewis. The band’s first hit was Just Walkin' in the Rain one of Johnny Braggs compositions. The band got to perform for President Truman and senator Lyndon Baines Johnson and It took over 15 years for him to prove his innocence and be released.
The A-side opens with Take Away The Heart Ache (Let Me Love Again) a 50's doo wop soul classic with harmony backing vocals, this sparse production is full of feeling, the pain of not being able to love who he wants to, is imbued in every note he's singing.
She's Mine makes clear he'll do anything for that girl of his, this may be a demo but has bags of charm, a carefully picked guitar accompaniment that works beautifully along with the backing singers.
Is it True, Darlin' is a heartbroken tearjerker, he's been replaced, probably because he was in prison, he still wants that last dance with her though, he begs for forgiveness for all his trespasses.
I'll Never Forget You he's pining the days away, until he'll be allowed to see you again, over a gentle piano backing, this reminds me of The Cadets and similar 50's R & B bands.
I Saw it Coming has finger snapping backing for this tale of hard times, the things he did he has to pay for, the regrets are real and he hopes he can get out and get another chance to win your love.
If This Is a Dream (Let Me Dream On) is an acapella vocal cut, that is waiting for a band to accompany it, this down at heart neo gospel plea to be allowed to love someone and be loved in return.
Isn't It Right has a church organ backing for more pain and regret at being left once more, all he wants is the love he craves.
Rock it, Shake it is a Jerry Lee Lewis style piano rag with some walking bass and driving piano, they Rock It, Shake it all night long.
The B-side opens with Hurt And Lonely a condition he truly knew about more than most, this song about your best friend cheating on you can easily be related to his own case, sparse as the arrangement is, this is so real, full of pain and sorrow it needs to be heard.
I've Got To Stop Trying and let you go, no matter how much he still loves you, the plaintive vocals with harmony backing over the most minimal guitar works wonderfully to make this a very succinct song.
It's Been A Beautiful World (Since I Found You) happiness might finally be his. Let's Rock, Let's Roll is built on some stride piano and a driving beat, this is a classic early rocking tune that drives along.
If It's Over just let him know, don't keep him hanging on, he'd rather know the truth so he can get his life back, organ builds and swells, adding more emotion to this sad heartbreaker.
If You Know It Ain't Right is a gospel handclapping doo wop soul stirrer, that would give Jackie Wilson a run for his money, if it had been fully produced.
The album closes with the hymn How Great Thou Art that has the most minimal backing choir and guitar for a very touching rendition.
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