Claude King – Meet Claude King LP – Columbia CL 1810 (1962)

Step into a landmark moment in early 1960s country-western history with the sensational debut studio album, Meet Claude King. Originally released in 1962 by Columbia Records (CL 1810), this historic LP established King as a premier voice of the mid-century story-song movement, beautifully blending traditional folklore, honky-tonk roots, and smooth Nashville Sound arrangements.

The album is anchored by his monumental, million-selling signature masterpiece “Wolverton Mountain,” co-written with Merle Kilgore, which soared straight to number one on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart and crossed over into the pop top ten. Beyond its legendary anchor track, the record showcases King’s deep vocal presence and dramatic pacing across top-ten hits like “The Comancheros” and “Big River, Big Man,” alongside masterful interpretations of traditional acoustic standards from the Carter Family and Jimmie Rodgers. Pressed as a 12-inch 33 RPM high-fidelity mono LP, this original analog pressing delivers a wonderfully warm, punchy sonic depth that modern digital files simply cannot replicate.

Tracklist:

• Side A: The Comancheros; You’re Breaking My Heart; I’m Just Here to Get My Baby Out of Jail; Give Me Your Love and I’ll Give You Mine; Big River, Big Man; Sweet Lovin’.

• Side B: Wolverton Mountain; Would You Care?; Pistol Packin’ Papa; Little Bitty Heart; I Can’t Get Over the Way You Got Over Me; I Backed Out.

Housed in its original iconic 1960s vintage cardboard sleeve, this highly sought-after debut record is an indispensable cornerstone acquisition for serious classic country historians, western folklore archivists, and vintage analog vinyl enthusiasts alike.