Tennessee Ernie Ford:

Sixteen Tons:(1973)

Sixteen Tons originally came out for Tennessee Ernie in 1955. This Pickwick reissue came out in '73 as a compilation of singles. It's an interesting mix of 1950's pop in that it contains schmaltzy orchestration like First Born, and Latin flavored rhythms like The Watermelon Song. But, of course, the center piece is the dark tough sounding song Tennessee Ernie is known for, Sixteen Tons. I must admit I rarely make it passed Sixteen Tons, and I can't get enough of that one.