Vicki Lawrence – “The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia”

The Sleeve:

The Liner/Sleeve Notes:
“We were planning our Variety Series in the Fall of 1967, when a fan letter arrived. It was from a 17 year old high school senior. She was merely asking for advice about how to get started in “Show Business”. I don’t know what it was about the letter, but something struck a chord. We were looking for a girl to portray my kid sister in a segment of our show, and I got a feeling that this might be the one. We went to see her in a contest for the title of “Miss Fire Ball of Inglewood” (California). She looked more like me at 17 than I did! It was more than that, however. I don’t know, I had a feeling – I had good “vibes”. She won the contest, and we hired her as a regular when our show went on the air the following year.
 Since then, it has been a love affair between Vicki and our entire crew and staff. She has grown up, and has grown as a performer. Not only is she good in the “kid sister” segments, shes inventive and brilliant as a comedienne in everything else she’s given to do. She also sings up a storm.
 I’m very proud of her, and I know you’ll love this album as I do.
 So, go get ’em “Miss Fireball!” 
 We Love You,
 Carol”

Personal Review:
Well, firstly, I got this LP simply for the title track, which I loved when Reba did it. So hey, why not?
So, as stated the album opens with the song “The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia” – and honestly, still prefer Reba’s version. It still follows all the same lyrics and stuff, but it’s just too different for me. Next up is “Mr. Allison” which is a slow song, it’s not something I’d listen to, the chorus is good though, I like that. After that comes “Killing Me Softly With His Song” – it’s a slow song, I’m sure everyone knows it. I have Roberta Flack’s version on my iPod. I’ll give it to Vicki, she can most definitely sing this song. Then comes the song “Sensual Man” – it’s a slower song at first, and it begins to pick up about halfway through, it’s not much of my type of music, but hey. It’s alright. Next up is the track “Little Green Apples” – which has sort of a country feel to it, Vicki is a good singer, but she’s still not my type of singer. The A-Side ends with the song “He Did With Me” – which is a surprisingly good song, and decent way to close the A-Side. Especially the chorus.

The B-Side opens with the track “(For A While) We Helped Each Other Out” – it’s a slower song, but it’s still pretty good. It’s enjoyable, besides maybe “Killing Me Softly…” this song is the other one I enjoy thus far. After that comes the track “It Could Have Been Me” – which starts off with a very familiar melody, then it goes into an amazing song, this album is beginning to turn itself around, and becoming a nice album to hear. Then comes the track “Dime A Dance” – which I’m pretty sure this song is about a stripper. Pretty sure. It’s not coming in the same direction anymore, it’s slowly turning back down the hill. After that comes “Gypsys, Tramps & Thieves” – which has that sort of Danny Elfman Home Alone vibe to it, and the vocals are good, the song is okay. Okay, so we’ll give Vicki points for this song. The album ends with “How You Gonna Stand It” – it’s an okay song, this whole album was a little too slow for my liking, definitely not an album I’d recommend.

Interesting Facts:
None.

Track Listing:
A1 – The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia
A2 – Mr. Allison
A3 – Killing Me Softly With His Song
A4 – Sensual Man
A5 – Little Green Apples
A6 – He Did With Me

B1 – (For A While) We Helped Each Other Out
B2 – It Could Have Been Me
B3 – Dime A Dance
B4 – Gypsys, Tramps & Thieves
B5 – How You Gonna Stand It

Label:
Bell

Catalog Number:
BELL 1120

Studio Musicians & Other Album Credits:
Produced by Snuff Garrett for Garrett Music Enterprises
Arranged by Artie Butler & Larry Muhoberac
Engineer – Jerry Barnes & Eric Presige
Studio – United Recording Producers, Inc.
Design – Ken Kim & Woody Woodard
Art Direction – Beverly Weinstein

Other Albums I Own by Vicki Lawrence:
None.

Released:
1973

Related Vinyls:

Rusty Goffe – “Rusty Goffe Sings and Plays for Your Entertainment” John Denver – “I Want to Live” Dick Jensen – “Giant of Hawaii” The True Light – “Introducing the True Light”