An American Classic

Last updated
An American Classic
Jeannie Seely--An American Classic.jpg
Studio album by
ReleasedAugust 14, 2020 (2020-08-14)
Genre Country [1]
Length45:47
Label Curb
Producer
Jeannie Seely chronology
Written in Song
(2017)
An American Classic
(2020)
Singles from An American Classic
  1. "Not a Dry Eye in the House"
    Released: July 6, 2020 [2]
  2. "If You Could Call It That"
    Released: March 1, 2021 [3]
  3. "So Far, So Good"
    Released: February 27, 2022 [4]

An American Classic is a studio album by American country artist Jeannie Seely. It was released on August 14, 2020, via Curb Records. The album was produced by Don Cusic and contained thirteen tracks. The record is Seely's seventeenth studio project and first in three years. The album contains a mixture of new recordings as well as re-recordings of her familiar tunes. Various collaborators are featured on the project that provide harmony and duet vocals to different recordings. The album was given a positive critical response upon its release.

Contents

Background

An American Classic was produced by Don Cusic. The idea for the project was crafted by Cusic who became interested in recording an album for Seely. [5] Seely agreed after finding that Cusic was interested in recording her, later saying that she was "thrilled" to work with him. [6] "She is a favorite of fans, as well as country singers who admire and respect her talent and love her as a classy lady. The title of this album, An American Classic fits her perfectly," Cusic commented. Jim Ed Norman also contributed a track featuring Ray Stevens to the record's production. [5]

Content

An American Classic consists of 13 tracks. The album includes a mixture of re-recorded songs and new songs. In addition, many of the project's tracks included collaborations with other artists. [6] Among the collaborations is the track, "Not a Dry Eye in the House." The song is a duet with Willie Nelson that was first recorded by its songwriter Dallas Wayne. Seely and Nelson first began a friendship in 1963 around the time she began her music career. [1] [7] In addition to vocals from Nelson, Seely also collaborated with several other country artists for the album. This includes Bill Anderson, Lorrie Morgan, Waylon Payne, Ray Stevens, Steve Wariner and The Whites. [8] Seely and Anderson recorded the track "When Two Worlds Collide" for the album, which he had first composed with Roger Miller. [7] With Ray Stevens, Seely recorded a duet of Paul McCartney's "Dance Tonight." [6]

Seely also recorded other collaborations, including the song "All Through Crying Over You." The track features harmony vocals from Seely's longtime friend Rhonda Vincent, who had recently cut one of Seely's compositions, "Like I Could", which was later issued as a single. [6] Additional tracks also feature artists on the project. An example is the song "If You Could Call It That." The song was written after a friend found an unfinished song journal from Seely's friend and country artist Dottie West. Songwriters Bobby Tomberlin and Steve Wariner adapted West's journal notes into a song. [1] Two of Seely's former hits were re-recorded for the album project: "Don't Touch Me" and "Can I Sleep in Your Arms." Both songs were written by her first husband and songwriter, Hank Cochran. [1]

Release and reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Bristol Herald Courier Favorable
Digital JournalA

The announcement of An American Classic was first made public in fall 2019. The original intention was to release the album in the spring of 2020. [9] However, the album was pushed back to summer 2020 [1] [5] In conjunction with Seely's 80th birthday on July 6, "Not a Dry Eye in the House" was released as a digital download. "To have a duet with Willie Nelson be the first song released from my upcoming album is icing on the cake," Seely later commented. [5] An American Classic was officially released on August 14, 2020, via Curb Records. [6] The album was offered as both a compact disc and a music download. [10] [11]

Following its release, An American Classic received positive review by writers and music critics. Tom Netherland gave the project a positive response in his story of the album's release, calling it a project full of "postcards from the heart." Netherland also added that the album's release signifies Seely's status as an important female country artist. "Seely belongs in the midst of Loretta Lynn and Kitty Wells as a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame. Like an author with pen in hand, whenever she sings, Seely adds another page in the annals of a career made legendary," he concluded. [7] In addition, Markos Papadatos of Digital Journal gave the album a positive critical response in his review. Papadatos praised the album's eclectic mix of collaborations as well as its mix of musical styles. He concluded by giving the collection an "A" rating: "Grand Ole Opry star Jeannie Seely proves that she is like fine wine, where she only better with age and experience on her latest studio offering An American Classic." [12]

Track listing

An American Classic (digital version) [11] [10]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."So Far, So Good" (with The Whites )
  • Mitch Ballard
  • Penn Pennington
2:24
2."If You Could Call It That" (featuring Steve Wariner )
3:44
3."To Make a Dream Come True" C.W. "Buddy Kalb", Jr. 3:47
4."Teach Me Tonight"3:27
5."Can I Sleep in Your Arms Tonight" (re-recording) Hank Cochran 3:17
6."All Through Crying Over You" (with Rhonda Vincent )Jeannie Seely3:29
7."When Two Worlds Collide" (with Bill Anderson )
3:01
8."Not a Dry Eye in the House" (featuring Willie Nelson ) Dallas Wayne 3:47
9."Old Flames (Can't Hold a Candle to You)" (with Waylon Payne )3:44
10."That's How I Roll" (with Vince Gill and Lorrie Morgan )
  • Tim Atwood
  • Brent Ronen
2:31
11."Don't Touch Me" (re-recording)Cochran3:24
12."Dance Tonight" (with Ray Stevens ) Paul McCartney 3:13
13."Peaceful Waters"Don Cusic5:59
Total length:45:47

Personnel

Musical personnel

Technical personnel

Release history

RegionDateFormatLabelRef.
United StatesAugust 14, 2020
  • Compact disc
  • music download
Curb Records [10] [11]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Randy Travis</span> American country and gospel singer

Randy Bruce Traywick, known professionally as Randy Travis, is an American country music and gospel music singer and songwriter, as well as a film and television actor. Active since 1979, he has recorded 20 studio albums and charted 50 singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts, including sixteen that reached the number-one position. Travis's commercial success began in the mid-1980s with the release of his album Storms of Life, which sold more than four million copies. Travis followed up his successful debut with a string of platinum and multi-platinum albums. By the mid-1990s, Travis saw a decline in his chart success. In 1997, he left Warner Bros. Records for DreamWorks Records; he moved to Word Records for a series of gospel albums beginning in 2000 before moving back to Warner at the end of the 21st century's first decade. Travis sold over 25 million records and has won seven Grammy Awards, eleven ACM Awards, eight Dove Awards, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In 2016, Travis was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. Major songs of his include "On the Other Hand", "Forever and Ever, Amen", "I Told You So", "Hard Rock Bottom of Your Heart", and "Three Wooden Crosses".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vince Gill</span> American country musician (born 1957)

Vincent Grant Gill is an American country music singer, songwriter and musician. He has achieved commercial success and fame both as frontman of the country rock band Pure Prairie League in the 1970s and as a solo artist beginning in 1983, where his talents as a vocalist and musician have placed him in high demand as a guest vocalist and a duet partner.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crystal Gayle</span> American country music singer (born 1951)

Crystal Gayle is an American country music singer widely known for her 1977 hit "Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue". Initially, Gayle's management and record label were the same as that of her oldest sister, Loretta Lynn. Not finding success with the arrangement after several years, and with Lynn's encouragement, Gayle decided to try a different approach. She signed a new record contract and began recording with Nashville producer Allen Reynolds. Gayle's new sound was sometimes referred to as middle-of-the-road (MOR) or country pop, and was part of a bigger musical trend by many country artists of the 1970s to appeal to a wider audience. Subsequently, Gayle became one of the most successful crossover artists of the 1970s and 80s. She is known for her floor-length hair.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jeannie Seely</span> American singer-songwriter (born 1940)

Marilyn Jeanne Seely is an American country music singer, songwriter, and record producer. She also has several acting credits and published a book. Seely found success with the Grammy Award-winning hit "Don't Touch Me" (1966). The song reached the No.2 position on the Billboard country songs chart and is her highest-charting single as a solo artist. Her soul-inspired vocal delivery was praised by music professionals, who gave her the nickname of "Miss Country Soul". Seely is also known for her membership and presence on the Grand Ole Opry, having appeared more times on the program than any other performer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dottie West</span> American country music singer-songwriter (1932–1991)

Dottie West was an American country singer and songwriter. She also had several credits as an actress. A distinguished figure in the country genre, West was among several people who helped to elevate the platform of female country artists. She was also known for mentoring up-and-coming artists and being the first woman to win a country music accolade from the Grammy Awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lorrie Morgan</span> American musician (born 1959)

Loretta Lynn Morgan is an American country music singer and actress. She is the daughter of George Morgan, widow of Keith Whitley, and ex-wife of Jon Randall and Sammy Kershaw, all of whom are also country music singers. Morgan has been active as a singer since the age of 13, and charted her first single in 1979. She achieved her greatest success between 1988 and 1999, recording for RCA Records and the defunct BNA Records. Her first two RCA albums and her BNA album Watch Me are all certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The 1995 compilation Reflections: Greatest Hits is her best-selling album with a double-platinum certification; War Paint, Greater Need, and Shakin' Things Up, also on BNA, are certified gold.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rhonda Vincent</span> American bluegrass singer

Rhonda Lea Vincent is an American bluegrass singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steve Wariner</span> American country musician

Steven Noel Wariner is an American country music singer, songwriter, and guitarist. Initially a backing musician for Dottie West, he also worked with Bob Luman and Chet Atkins before beginning a solo career in the late 1970s. He has released eighteen studio albums and over fifty singles for several different record labels.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Don't Touch Me</span> 1966 single by Jeannie Seely

"Don't Touch Me" is a song written by Hank Cochran. It was originally written for and recorded by American country artist Jeannie Seely. The song was released as a single on Monument Records in March 1966 and became a major Billboard country hit. "Don't Touch Me" became Seely's signature song and her biggest hit as a solo artist. It would later appear on her debut studio album and be re-recorded by Seely in later years.

Dallas Wayne is a singer, songwriter, voice-over artist and on-air radio personality for SiriusXM Satellite Radio. A native of Springfield, Missouri, he grew up in Branson, Missouri and Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Dallas began performing professionally while in high school.

<i>Burnin the Roadhouse Down</i> 1998 studio album by Steve Wariner

Burnin' the Roadhouse Down is the thirteenth studio album by American country music artist Steve Wariner, released on April 21, 1998. It was the first of three albums that he recorded for Capitol Nashville after having been dropped from Arista Records' roster in 1996. It was the second album of Wariner's career to achieve RIAA gold certification for U.S. sales of 500,000 copies, and it produced four Top 40 hit singles for Wariner on the Billboard country charts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jeannie Seely discography</span>

The discography of American country artist Jeannie Seely contains 16 studio albums, three compilation albums and 36 singles. Releasing several singles for the Challenge label, she moved to Nashville, Tennessee and signed with Monument Records in 1966. Releasing "Don't Touch Me" as a single, it became a major country hit, reaching number 2 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart. It also became her only single to reach the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 85. The success led to the release of her debut studio album entitled The Seely Style, which reached number 8 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart.

<i>Written in Song</i> 2017 studio album by Jeannie Seely

Written In Song is the sixteenth studio album by American country artist Jeannie Seely. It was released on January 13, 2017 on Cheyenne Records and was produced by Seely. It is her first studio release in six years and the second to be issued on her own label. The album consisted of songs Seely composed for other artists. There are also several songs included that had not been released before.

<i>You Dont Know Me: Classic Country</i> 2019 studio album by Crystal Gayle

You Don't Know Me: Classic Country is the twenty sixth studio album by American country artist Crystal Gayle. The record was released on September 6, 2019 via Southpaw Musical Productions and The Orchard. You Don't Know Me contains cover versions of classic country songs and features collaborations with other artists. The album marks Gayle's first studio release in 16 years.

<i>Jack Greene, Jeannie Seely</i> 1970 studio album by Jack Greene and Jeannie Seely

Jack Greene, Jeannie Seely is a studio album by American country music artists Jack Greene and Jeannie Seely. It was released on January 12, 1970, by Decca Records. The album was produced by Owen Bradley and Harry Silverstein. The album included the duo's first major hit single together, "Wish I Didn't Have to Miss You". Their self-titled studio album reached peak positions on the Billboard country albums chart upon its initial release.

<i>Two for the Show</i> (Jack Greene and Jeannie Seely album) 1973 studio album by Jack Greene and Jeannie Seely

Two for the Show is a studio album by American country music artists Jack Greene and Jeannie Seely. It was released in January 22, 1973, by Decca Records and was produced by Owen Bradley. It was pair's second studio album as a duet team. The album included two singles that became major hits on the Billboard country chart between 1971 and 1972. The album itself also reached peak positions on the Billboard country albums chart.

<i>Been There...Sung That!</i> 1999 studio album by Jeannie Seely

Been There...Sung That! is a studio album by American country music artist Jeannie Seely. It was released in June 1999 on Faux Paw Productions and Shadpoke Records. The project was produced by Seely and was her thirteenth studio recording. It was her first studio album release in five years and second to be released on independent record labels. The album featured collaborations with several music artists.

<i>Lifes Highway</i> (Jeannie Seely album) 2003 studio album by Jeannie Seely

Life's Highway is a studio album by American country artist Jeannie Seely. It was released on November 18, 2003, by OMS Records. It was co-produced by Hugh Moore and Billy Troy. Life's Highway was Seely's fourteenth studio recording and first album in several years to be released outside her own record label. The album received critical acclaim for its blend of the country, bluegrass and folk music genres.

<i>Vintage Country: Old But Treasured</i> 2011 studio album by Jeannie Seely

Vintage Country: Old But Treasured is a studio album by the American country music artist Jeannie Seely. It was released on February 1, 2011, by Cheyenne Records and was produced by Seely. The album is a collection of classic country songs that had previously beenrecorded by other music artists. It was Seely's first studio album since 2003 and the fifteenth studio album released during her career.

<i>Generations in Song</i> 0000 studio album by Hank Locklin

Generations in Song is a studio album by American country singer–songwriter Hank Locklin. It was originally released in 2001 on the Coldwater label and re-released in 2006 on the Slewfoot label. The album originally contained 19 tracks of solo cuts and duets with fellow country artists, including Dolly Parton, Vince Gill and Jeannie Seely. It was Locklin's first album in many years and was the twenty eighth studio project of his career. The album received positive reviews from critics following its release.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Turner, Rianna. "In 'An American Classic,' Jeannie Seeley Revisits Career As Grand As The Opry". Forbes . Retrieved 6 July 2020.
  2. "Not A Dry Eye In The House". Spotify. July 6, 2020. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
  3. "Jeannie Seely Released "If You Could Call It That" to Radio -". Country Evolution. March 3, 2021. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
  4. "Jeannie Seely Announces Release of Collaboration With The Whites "So Far, So Good" to Radio". The Country Note. March 5, 2022. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
  5. 1 2 3 4 "Jeannie Seely Announces Pre-Order for Highly-Anticipated New Project with Curb Records, An American Classic on 80th Birthday". The Country Note. Retrieved 6 July 2020.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 Nicholson, Jessica. "Jeannie Seely Showcases Decades Of Friendships On New Album, 'An American Classic'". Music Row. Retrieved 15 August 2020.
  7. 1 2 3 Netherland, Tom. "Jeannie Seely releases new album, 'An American Classic'". Bristol Herald Courier . Retrieved 15 August 2020.
  8. Robertson, Sherod. "Opry Legend Jeannie Seely Announces New Album On 80th Birthday". Music Row. Retrieved 6 July 2020.
  9. Goolsby, Abe. "Jeannie Seely Celebrates 52 Years with the Grand Ole Opry". RFD-TV . Retrieved 6 July 2020.
  10. 1 2 3 "An American Classic by Jeannie Seely on Apple Music". Apple Music . Retrieved 7 July 2020.
  11. 1 2 3 "An American Classic by Jeannie Seely on Amazon Music". Amazon . Retrieved 15 August 2020.
  12. Papadatos, Markos. "Review: Jeannie Seely releases amazing album 'An American Classic'". Digital Journal. Retrieved 15 August 2020.