Abner Burnett, Odessa

ABNER BURNETT- Jerusalem (Ignite 694)

When I moved to Odessa 12 years ago this August one of the first local bands I became familiar with was Kay Kay & the Rays. I say 'became familiar with'... but I never saw the band live nor even heard the band. But I saw the name often back at the time and it was usually connected with a new blues club that was trying to get going around the time I moved in. I also saw the name Abner Burnett associated with the combo.

At some dusty stop along the way in the past 12 years I acquired this particular release on Austin's Ignite label. Released in 1968 by a 14 year old Burnett both sides of the record carry a burned out folk sound, surprisingly weary for such a youngster. Almost overly so... middle class folks struggle like everybody else. Feelings like this would get a 14 year old sent to the counselor these days.

According to Abner's own site he would be done with school the year following this release, eventually winding up back home in the west Texas area, specifically Odessa, for a portion of the 70s. There would be two albums on his own Worpt label, one with the Burnouts, which would have been an apt description for the sound of the Ignite 45.

In the mid-80s Burnett was in law school, there would be a return to Odessa, some time in Mexico, a return to Texas, and presently...
__________________________

Check my random blawg Diggin' It!!! for another 1968 release on Ignite.