Songs My Father Played - Vinyl

Review by Kathy Parsons

Songs My Father Played is the tenth solo album from pianist/composer Joseph Akins, and I’m very happy to say that I’ve reviewed them all! One of the artists who played in my house concert series several times, I got to know Joseph as one of the most down-to-earth and genuine people I’ve ever met, and that always comes through very clearly in his music. A life-long musician, Joseph earned his doctorate degree and has been teaching Middle Tennessee State University’s Recording Industry Program since 2000. Joseph’s father was also a professional musician, and Joseph started playing sax in his dad’s country-rock band at the age of twelve. Coming full circle, Songs My Father Played is a collection of twelve of the pieces Joseph played in his father’s band, but this time he is playing solo piano rather than sax.

Something that makes this a really fun album is that most of the songs are arranged in a manner similar to Floyd Cramer’s, a piano style that was very popular in the 1950s and 60s and became known as the “Nashville sound.” Most of the tracks on this album are from that era and have stood the test of time. For those who were around then, Songs My Father Played is a wonderfully nostalgic step back in time. For those who are too young to remember, this album presents a very enjoyable overview of some of the best country/pop music of that time. Some of the artists who are covered are John Denver, Willie Nelson, Ray Charles, Hank Willams and, of course, Floyd Cramer. The album is a delight from the first note to the last!

Songs My Father Played begins with “Take Me Home, Country Roads” (1971), one of John Denver’s biggest hits. Easy to sing along with (if you remember the words!), it’s a warm and heartfelt arrangement! “Tennessee Waltz” (1948) is a country classic recorded by many different artists, and Joseph’s version is a gentle, sweet slow dance. “Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain” (1975) was one of Willie Nelson’s early hits and Joseph gives it plenty of piano twang. Johnny Cash’s “Folsom Prison Blues” (1955) is another country classic and holds up exceptionally well as a lively piano solo! Ray Charles had the biggest hit with “I Can’t Stop Loving You” in 1962, a record that spanned several music genres. Joseph’s arrangement is bittersweet and soulful. Hank Williams’ “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” (1949) has also been recorded by many different artists, and Joseph keeps it simple and heartfelt with some of his own touches added in. “Before the Last Teardrop Falls” was a hit for Freddy Fender in 1974 and Joseph really lets the melody sing out with a simple left hand accompaniment. The tempo really picks up for “Rocky Top,” a light-hearted burst of musical joy - this one is really fun! Even when I was in the third grade, I absolutely loved Floyd Cramer’s “Last Date,” so I am really enjoying Joseph’s arrangement of this instrumental classic! It’s not exactly the same as Cramer’s recording, but it’s a real stand-out and a great way to end this excellent album!

Songs My Father Played is available on Joseph’s website as a CD or on vinyl. It is available to stream or download on Amazon and Apple Music/iTunes, and is on many streaming services including Spotify and Pandora. Very highly recommended!

August 12, 2025