Review of Re-Release of David Allan Coe's First

“Take This Job and Shove It” was made famous by its singer, the late Johnny Paycheck. But it was written by a guy who probably spent more time working inside prison than at any regular job before he came up with that song—David Allan Coe.

According to the booklet provided in the advance materials from his new record company, from age 16 to 21 he was in the National Training School for Boys, the Lewisburg Penitentiary, the Chillicothe Reformatory, the Lima State Hospital, and the Ohio State pen. At age 23 he went back to the Ohio State Penitentiary, then apparently was free for a year, then went to the Marion Correctional Institution until he was 27.

Clearly, he had issues.

Speaking of issues, Shout! Factory/Hacktone Records is re-issuing Coe’s “Penitentiary Blues” album, out of print for decades.

The guitar work is often harsh, the chords are few and bluesy, and the singing is unrestrained (when he’s mellow his voice reminds me—believe it or not—of Chuck Berry’s; when he laughs he echoes, at times, Screamin’ Jay Hawkins).

Perhaps not surprisingly, in recent years he’s worked with the now defunct thrash metal legends from Texas, Pantera (a member of the group, Dimebag Darrell, was recently shot to death on stage). And though Coe is country, his lyrics fit metal:

Now they’re taking blood tests
From my heroin vein

According to the press materials, Coe was serving his eighth consecutive stretch in the joint when he wrote some or all of these tunes. Not good for a career as an insurance salesman, but “street cred” for a writer/performer. And that’s what the promotional stuff is focusing on.

But it is a good CD?

Yes, if you like your Americana simple, nasty, bluesy and to the point. Note for our younger readers: This CD clocks in less than thirty minutes. That’s how it was back then.

Congrats to Shout ! Factory/HackTone Records on this release. It’s not in the same league as a Beatles rarities, but hot damn it’s fun!

Photo from www.offialdavidallancoe.com