''This Ole House'' is a 1980/1981 album by Welsh rock and roll singer

Shakin' Stevens Michael Barratt (born 4 March 1948), known professionally as Shakin' Stevens, is a Welsh singer and songwriter. He was the UK's biggest-selling singles artist of the 1980s. His recording and performing career began in the late 1960s, althoug ...

. The album was originally released in October 1980 under the name ''Marie, Marie'' but failed to chart. When single "

This Ole House "This Ole House" (sometimes written "This Old House") is an American popular song written by Stuart Hamblen, and published in 1954. Rosemary Clooney's version reached the top of the popular music charts in both the US and the UK in 1954. The so ...

" reached No. 1 in the UK Singles Chart the album was re-issued in March 1981 with the new title and song added, peaking at No. 2 in the UK Albums Chart.

Background

The album was originally released in October 1980 on the back of his first top 20 hit " Marie, Marie". However, a later single "

" became a much bigger hit, peaking at No. 1 for three weeks in March 1981.Official UK Charts - Shakin' Stevens
/ref> The album was quickly re-issued with the same cover but now under the title ''This Ole House''. It peaked at No. 2, giving Stevens' his first top ten album. It spent 28 weeks on the UK Charts and was certified Gold by the BPI. The album also contains earlier singles "Hey Mae" and "Shooting Gallery". "Marie, Marie" is a song by

Dave Alvin David Albert Alvin (born November 11, 1955) is an American singer-songwriter, guitarist and producer. He is a former and founding member of the roots rock band the Blasters. Alvin has recorded and performed as a solo artist since the late 1980s a ...

and his band

The Blasters The Blasters are an American rock band formed in 1979 in Downey, California, by brothers Phil Alvin (vocals and guitar) and Dave Alvin (guitar), with bass guitarist John Bazz and drummer Bill Bateman. Their self-described " American Music" i ...

, released on their 1980 album '' American Music''. "This Ole House" replaced the song "Two Hearts" (later titled "Two Hearts Two Kisses") from the original album.Discogs - ''Marie Marie'' album
/ref> The album retained most of the same musicians from the ''

Take One! ''Take One!'' is a 1980 album by British rock and roll singer Shakin' Stevens. It was his first release on Epic Records and his first album to enter the UK charts. The album also featured Stevens' first UK charting single "Hot Dog". Backgroun ...

'' (1980) album, with the addition of Welsh guitarist (and ex-member of Stevens' previous backing group the Sunsets)

Mickey Gee Michael Richard Gee (3 July 1944 – 21 January 2009) was a rock and roll guitarist who played alongside some of the most prominent Welsh musicians of the last forty years. He died on 21 January 2009 in Cardiff, Wales, from emphysema. Career ...

. The album was re-issued on CD for the first time in 2009 as part of '' The Epic Masters'' boxset.

Track listing

Personnel

– vocals *

Albert Lee Albert William Lee (born 21 December 1943) is an English guitarist known for his fingerstyle and hybrid picking technique. Lee has worked, both in the studio and on tour, with many famous musicians from a wide range of genres. He has also mai ...

– lead guitar * Eddie Jones – electric guitar *

– lead guitar * Roger McKew – rhythm guitar *

B.J. Cole Brian John Cole is an English pedal steel guitarist, who has long been active as a session and solo musician. Coming to prominence in the early 1970s with the band Cochise, Cole has played in many styles, ranging from mainstream pop and rock t ...

– steel guitar *

Geraint Watkins Geraint Meurig Vaughan Watkins (born 5 February 1951) is a Welsh singer, songwriter, rock and roll pianist and accordionist. He has backed many notable artists, including Nick Lowe, Dave Edmunds, Van Morrison, Mark Knopfler, Paul McCartney, Ro ...

– piano * Stuart Colman – bass * Howard Tibble – drums * Tony Hall – tenor saxophone * Sid Phillips – baritone saxophone ;Production * Aldo Bocca, Rod Houison - engineers * Freya Miller - management * Neill King, Nick Froome - assistants *

Simon Fowler Simon Geoffrey Fowler (born 25 May 1965 in Meriden, Warwickshire) is an English singer and acoustic guitarist, best known as the frontman of Ocean Colour Scene. The Fanatics Simon Fowler commenced his music career as the lead singer and songwr ...

- photography

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Certifications and sales

References

{{Authority control 1980 albums 1981 albums Epic Records albums Shakin' Stevens albums