Tennessee Ernie Ford - Country Hits...Feelin' Blue

180-gram vinyl

Mastered by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio from the original tape

Plated and pressed at Quality Record Pressings

Stoughton Printing old-style tip-on jacket

"The sonics are the point here, or at least the main point. Ford's deep, resonant voice, with a bit of reverb, is very well recorded. You could consider this a voice-fetish record of the 'Wonderful world of ... Vocals' variety, and I'm sure many will buy it for that reason. But I hope some will buy it for the music: It may be an acquired taste for 21st century hi-fi sophisticates, but on its own terms, it's good, so broaden your horizons. Pressed on flat, quiet 180g vinyl." — Jim Austin, Stereophile, January 2021

Country Hits...Feelin' Blue, released by Tennessee Ernie Ford in 1964, is a throwback — or as the liner notes to this country classic (perhaps Ford's best) say, "You don't hear much singing like this nowadays — just a voice with easy guitar and bass accompaniment." But oh, what a voice. Ford's resonant-voiced baritone might be best known for his 1955 cover of Merle Travis' grim coal-mining song "Sixteen Tons," with sales topping 4 million copies. The hit cemented Ford's place as one of America's top entertainers — a singer and TV host who enjoyed success during the 1950s, '60s and '70s in multiple musical genres — country, pop, and gospel.

He first guested on the Grand Ole Opry in 1950, and in 1953 he became the first country singer to appear at London's prestigious Palladium. Soon NBC hired him to emcee the television game show Kollege of Musical Knowledge, and also to host his own weekday program. His subsequent prime-time network variety programs made "Bless your little pea-pickin' hearts" a household catch phrase and provided wide exposure for his musical renditions of great country and gospel favorites.

The songs chosen by Ford for Country Hits...Feelin' Blue are all favorites, some of the best tunes from the inspired pens of such country composers as Hank Williams, Fred Rose, Jenny Lou Carson, Willie Nelson, and Don Gibson. The album (one of Ford's favorite LPs) was recorded with backup provided by just two musicians; guitarist Billy Strange and bassist John Mosher.

Some of these songs go back to the start of Ford's career when he and Strange were working together as cast members of Los Angeles's Hometown Jamboree country music radio show. Mosher was a member of Ford's TV show band since its inception. Strange created the musical arrangements for Country Hits...Feelin' Blue — a quiet, simple get-together with the songs they had been playing and singing down through the years. That's why it's more than just another album. You can hear the affection and understanding coming through.

For this Analogue Productions reissue we turned to the experts who once again bring their stellar craftsmanship to the creation of a phenomenal-sounding release. Lacquers were cut by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio who mastered the LP from the original tape. Plating and 180-gram pressing was by our own Quality Record Pressings, makers of the world's finest-sounding LPs noted for their superior sonics and silent backgrounds. And nothing less than a Stoughton Printing old-style tip-on jacket would suit such a great LP.

Albums have been made with lots more people and lots more sound. But quantity never did mean quality. This is just a simple, great album. Great voice, great guitar and bass, and great songs — the best of each.

 

 

 

Side A

1. Try Me One More Time

2. No Letter Today

3. Born To Lose

4. Don't Rob Another Man's Castle

5. There'll Be No Teardrops Tonight

6. I Don't Hurt Anymore

Side B

1. Worried Mind

2. No One Will Ever Know

3. Funny How Time Slips Away

4. Sweet Dreams

5. Tears On My Pillow

6. May You Never Walk Alone

Customer Reviews (5.00 Stars) 6 person(s) rated this product.

Just Buy It posted on 07/30/2021 5 Stars Reviewer: Paul Not much to add that hasn’t been said before. This is clearly the best sounding record in my huge collection. Music is great too……just buy it before you regret it.

Sound is 11/10 posted on 05/26/2020 5 Stars Reviewer: David And if you like real classic Country Music... then well gosh shucks yes the music is great too. The previous reviews I agree with, this record is a treasure. You bet!! Highest recommendations!!

Ernie is in the room! posted on 05/08/2020 5 Stars Reviewer: Dave muggerud This is a true demo disc, a sonically superior job by Acoustic Sounds. Thanks to you and your Great staff Chad.

you need to buy this record, NOW! posted on 04/24/2020 5 Stars Reviewer: I'm famous, Danny Kaye The fact that this isn't in the top spot of what's selling right now blows my mind. Literally. Put this in your cart, check out and never look back. This record is right up there with Dream with Dean or Johnny Hartman. The sound is to die for. When I asked Chad to play this as a pre-release demo at Rocky last year, he literally received a standing room ovation. The room went nuts. MUST HAVE RECORD!!! This will be a hit with demos. I guarantee it. A+++

Write a review and let people know what you think of this product OR just rate it.