The Sleeve:
The Liner/Sleeve Notes:
“When I began to choose the songs for this album, they sounded so easy that I foolishly supposed that recording them would be a breeze. I have never been more wrong. The songs are not easy, they’re simple-plain, honest, simple – and I very quickly found out that is the hardest thing to sing. I had the best time in Nashville. I fell in love with the music, the lyrics, the countryside, and the people. My warmest thanks go to Larry Butler for his patience and for giving me the courage to keep on trying. To all the wonderful musicians who shared their music with me – my deepest gratitude.
Julie Andrews”
Personal Review:
I’m pretty sure everyone knows who Julie Andrews is, you know, “The Sound of Music” – the hills are alive. If not, go watch it. Also, I’m not sure why, but I felt overly compelled to review this album today.
So, the album opens with the track “Crazy” and yes, I’m walking about the Willie Nelson song, and hey, Julie is doing the whole country music thing pretty well. Didn’t even know she was a country singer. But hey, for someone who is known for ‘The Sound of Music’ she’s pretty amazing. “Some Days Are Diamonds” follows next, and I’m adoring Julie’s voice, like she’s pretty great, when the chorus comes around, the song takes off beautifully. I definitely loved that one. Up next, “See the Funny Little Clown” and well, you know, even though the song title seems a little off for a country album, the lyrics and Julie’s astonishing vocals make it a great track. Though, I am hoping for a huge pick up in the chorus. Plot twist: Julie is the clown. Then comes the song “When I Dream” and Julie is a very soft spoken woman, she has that voice that you wish your grandmother had when she sung your nursery rhymes, it’s just so beautiful. This song however, is too slow for my liking, which is unfortunate, because Julie sings so beautifully. The backing vocals are nice. Then comes the one song that has the longest title ever, “(Hey Won’t You Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song” comes next, and we’re a bit more faster paced, but it’s still not something I’d like, but Julie’s voice is still great. Then after that comes the song “It Was Time” and we’re a little quiet on the vocals, and musicianship is alright at the beginning, but then the song picks up a bit, and everything seems to work out. This song however, seems to have such deep meaning to it, and it’s a very different feeling. It’s a nice feeling too. The A-Side ends with the song “You Don’t Bring Me Flowers” and well, it’s a slower song, and it starts off ever-so-slowly, but it does pick up at parts and does make for a good ending track to this album.
Onto the B-Side with the title track, “Love Me Tender” – and who, oh who could be playing that guitar? It’s none other than her duet partner for this song, the ever-so-talented Johnny Cash! Yes, Johnny Cash and Julie Andrews dueting an Elvis track. How Awesome is that? “I Wish I Could Hurt That Way Again” comes next, and Julie continues to sing beautifully, this whole album is so great, I didn’t think it was going to be this good. “The Valley That Time Forgot” comes next, and it kind of has that pop sound to it, and it’s a pretty good track. I’m loving it. We continue on to the track, “Blanket on the Ground” which is a super country sounding song, and Julie delivers it perfectly and everything so far on this album has been absolutely perfect. “Love is a Place Where Two People Fall” comes next, and I’m not too sure what that title means, but I do know I do like this song again, the musicianship is great and Julie’s vocals are better! Like, this album has been one big huge surprise for me. After that comes the track, “We Love Each Other” and well, it’s a slow song, but the backing vocals and that steel guitar help everything move along just perfectly, and Julie hits each note perfectly. The album closes with the track “Lyin’ in My Arms” and it starts off slowly, but it soon begins to pick up, and Julie delivers it wonderfully. This whole album has been great, definitely a great listen and a great find!
Interesting Facts:
None.
Track Listing:
A1 – Crazy
A2 – Some Days Are Diamonds
A3 – See the Funny Little Clown
A4 – When I Dream
A5 – (Hey Won’t You Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song
A6 – It Was Time
A7 – You Don’t Bring Me Flowers
B1 – Love Me Tender
B2 – I Wish I Could Hurt That Way Again
B3 – The Valley That Time Forgot
B4 – Blanket on the Ground
B5 – Love is a Place Where Two People Fall
B6 – We Love Each Other
B7 – Lyin’ in My Arms
Label:
Attic Records
Catalog Number:
LAT-1189
Studio Musicians & Other Album Credits:
Produced by Larry Butler
Engineered by Billy Sherrill & Harold Lee
Recorded at Sound Emporium Recording Studio, Nashville, Tennessee
String Arrangements – Bill Justis & Bergen White
Strings – Shelly Kurland Strings & Nashville String Machine
Bass – Bob Moore & Mike Leech
Piano – Bobby Woods & Hargus ‘Pigg’ Robins
Steel Guitar – Pete Drake
Bass Guitar – Tommy Allsup & Leon Rhodes
Guitars – Ray Edenton, Jerry Shook, Pete Wade, Billy Sanford & Jimmy Capps
Drums – Haywood Bishop, Gene Christman & Larry London
Background Voices – The Jordonaires (Hoyt Hawkins, Neal Matthews, Gordon Stoker & Hugh Jarrett), Wendy Suits, James ‘Buzz’ Cason, Dennis Wilson & Dianne Tidwell
Mastered by Steve Colyer at PRT Studios, London
Executive Producer – Gerald T. Nutting
Photo – Greg Gorman
Male Vocals on ‘Love Me Tender – Johnny Cash (appears courtesy of CBS Records)
Other Albums I Own by Julie Andrews:
None.
Other Albums I Own that Julie Andrews Appears On:
“The Sound of Music: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack”
Released:
1983
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