$1,000,000.00 Worth of Twang Vol. II covers the last two years, 1960 and 1961, of Duane Eddy’s remarkable career at Jamie Record Co. The eventual Hall of Fame guitarist and first-generation rock-and-roll superstar became his own producer, starting with his English No. 2 hit, “Pepe,” and wrote and performed film soundtracks for David Janssen’s “Ring of Fire” and Richard Boone’s “Thunder of Drums.”
The 23 tracks on this compilation include all the songs on both the American and British Decca versions of the album, a total of 18 (half of each album was chosen differently), plus five bonus tracks including the very rarely heard Mirriam Johnson. Before their marriage in February 1962 (pictured in the booklet), Duane recorded her in New York with the giant of New York session musicians, King Curtis, who played the sax and led the session. She became famous as Jessi Colter when she later teamed up with Waylon Jennings. Two previously unreleased session takes of “The Avenger” and “Ring of Fire” round out the 23-tracks.
The album conveys the maturing of Duane Eddy from the exciting first years of rock 'n roll to an adventurous producer, writer and performer, who conceived of the acoustic album with “Songs of Our Heritage” and cut his future wife on four sides for Jamie.
Never previously published photos and trade ads from the time brighten the full-color 8-page booklet with liner notes by Duane Eddy expert, Jim Grant.
The masterly stereo remixing by Tom Moulton captures the full depth of music as originally recorded. $1,000,000.00 Worth of Twang Vol II rounds out Duane Eddy’s Jamie career, when he struck out on his own and recorded himself and his future wife with a new freedom and memorable songs.