New Oldies – Almost by Billy Barrix

Most collectors consider this to be the most valuable rockabilly record. Billy Barrix is from Nashville, Tennessee. He also recorded as Curley Barrix. This song was issued on Chess 1662 in 1957. If you find a copy that’s not a bootleg it could be worth over $10,000! Some people claim that this song was first issued on the Shreveport label, but none of the big rockabilly collectors have ever seen that pressing.

 

When you hear this song for the first time you will either love it or hate it. Let’s just say that Billy’s singing style is different. You’ll know what I mean when you play it. Here’s Almost by Billy Barrix:

 

The flip side is a rework of Elvis Presley’s hit, Baby Let’s Play House from 1955. Elvis does some similar “hiccups” on that track, but nothing like Billy Barrix did on Almost! Baby Let’s Play House was actually recorded first in 1954 by Arthur Gunter on Excello 2047, and may have been inspired by Eddy Arnold’s 1951 hit, I Wanna Play House With You.

 

Here’s Billy Barrix singing his version called Cool Off Baby:

 

Got any requests?