After marrying Renaissance man, Marty Stuart, Connie devoted most of her time to gospel singing and writing songs--many of which were recorded during her obvious absence from the C$W field. Her marriage gave her and her career a shot in the arm. This disc contains 9 self-penned tunes that hark back to her roots but never sound dated. Stuart lends a hand on vocals, writing, and playing on this fine comeback disc. He co-produced this disc as well. Connie then continued to record and move on. It is a testament to her unique singing ability to couple with a sandpaper-voiced John Prine on "In Spite of Ourselves", harmonizing, singing solo and around him when necessary to make the two duets she recorded work effectively. Stuart is better matched for Smith's talents on the track "Hearts Like Ours". The only offbeat track on this set is her original "Road To Tahrarrie" with it's Celtic feel. It's good song but this is a country recording and seems out of place. However, this only proves that Connie Smith is not just a country singer. She can sing pop, bluegrass, Cajun just to name a few and cannot be categorized or put in one music style despite the fact she found her success in the country field. And by doing so, she became the only rightful successor to Patsy Cline. They both have the chops and soulful versatility many peers and contemporaries lack. Smith has been vastly overlooked while her peers, Tammy, Dolly and Loretta got the star build up. This could be in part due to the fact that her instant stardom and the problems it imposed on her family, she chose family first. But there is no denying Connie Smith (as Dolly Parton) stated was one of 3 "real" singers and the rest are pretending. Connie has the ability to get deep into your head and heart and her impassioned singing hits like a thunderbolt. She has lost none of it here on this disc. She is more mature and gained a deeper husky quality to her voice that is quite sexy. She's textbook 101 for all the ladies who came after her to follow and learn. She sings from her heart without compromise and with conviction and assurance--a rare commodity in any musical domain. It's refreshing to get back to the basics of down to earth singing and that WEA has not forgotten the legends as so many fickle listeners haver a tendency to do over time, are to be commended for releasing this disc. Now--let's hear more from this great lady of song.Read full review
I was not a huge fan of Connie Smith in the early years, but her mature voice is very strong and just incredible . I first bought the Heartbreaks CD about 3 months ago, which I much prefer over this Connie Smith CD. Steel guitar is much stronger on Heartbreaks and I like the songs better. Marty Stuart produced both CDs and did an outstanding job in orchestrating the whole thing. Long live the old country sound.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
This is definately the best Connie Smith project I have heard. I have been a big fan of hers for years but never cared for the over production used on her recordings in the 60's. This recording strips the background singing down to two harmony parts sang in most part by Sharon and Cheryl White. There is a fiddle instead of Nashville strings and, as in all of Ms. Smith's early recordings; a bunch of great steel guitar. She wrote most of the songs with Marty and a couple other great writers so she knows what she's singing about and puts in the emotion that only the person that lived the story can sing it. It is worth trying to find.
We were trying to find this CD of Connie Smith, we had the cassette, just needed the CD. It was a1998 release and unavailable in stores and mail order. We have ordered several older CDs. We are old tradional Country Music fans. We were more than happy with this purchase. Would not purchase this CD again but probably another artist.
Excellent product and excellent service. Real country--not the new age country.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
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