Connie Smith Sings Hank Williams Gospel

Last updated
Connie Smith Sings Hank Williams Gospel
Connie Smith Sings Hank Williams Gospel.jpg
Studio album by
ReleasedMay 1975
RecordedNovember 4 – November 7, 1974
StudioColumbia Studio B
Genre Gospel [1]
Label Columbia
Producer Ray Baker
Connie Smith chronology
I Got a Lot of Hurtin' Done Today/I've Got My Baby On My Mind
(1975)
Connie Smith Sings Hank Williams Gospel
(1975)
Joy to the World
(1975)

Connie Smith Sings Hank Williams Gospel is the twenty-fifth solo studio album by American country singer Connie Smith. It was released in May 1975 via Columbia Records and contained 11 tracks. The project was a tribute to Hank Williams and was considered the first tribute gospel album of his material. Smith had found over half of the album's material through previously-unreleased recordings. The album would make a brief chart appearance on the American Country LP's survey in 1975.

Contents

Background

Connie Smith reached her commercial zenith at the RCA Victor label where she had 18 singles reach the Billboard country songs top ten. [2] [3] She had discovered Christianity, which prompted her to incorporate more gospel music into her repertoire. In 1973, Smith signed a new contract with Columbia Records that allowed her to record one gospel album per year. [4] The label released 1973's God Is Abundant which consisted of relatively new gospel songs. [5] However, no gospel disc was released in 1974 despite Smith's contract agreements. This was due to the label's lack of interest in gospel material and the delay in scheduling due to Smith becoming pregnant. [6]

Two gospel projects were released in 1975 instead, beginning with a tribute disc to Hank Williams. [6] Up until Smith's album, no other notable artist had recorded a collection of Williams's gospel material. Smith and producer Ray Baker were insistent on recording the album. The pair spent significant time at the Acuff-Rose publishing company in Nashville, Tennessee to find gospel material. From searching through Williams's catalog, the pair found a series of lesser-known gospel songs. [7] Smith would later state, "That was my project. I wanted to do that, and they let me, so I was glad." [8]

Recording and content

Smith went into the studio to record the gospel project in the fall of 1974. Specifically, Smith and producer Ray Baker recorded the album over the course of three days: November 4, November 5 and November 7, 1974. The material was recorded at Columbia Studio B, located in Nashville, Tennessee. Smith had been recording at Columbia's studio since signing with the label in 1973. [9] Nearly half of the songs chosen for the project were taken from Hank Williams's posthumous gospel album, I Saw the Light. Remaining tracks had not been as readily accessible to the general public, according to biographer Barry Mazor. [7]

Connie Smith Sings Hank Williams Gospel consisted of 11 tracks, all of which were penned by Williams himself. [10] [11] The album opened with one of Williams's best-known gospel songs, "I Saw the Light". Along with "I Saw the Light", five additional tracks had been originally included on Williams's 1954 I Saw the Light collection: "Jesus Remembered Me", "How Can You Refuse Him Now", "House of Gold", "I'm Gonna Sing" and "Calling You". [12] [13]

Smith and Baker found the six remaining tracks through the Acuff-Rose catalog, which owned Williams's songs at this point. Some of these songs were originally demo recordings Williams made that had not been as accessible to the public. Smith had found the original demos of "Jesus Is Calling", "When the Life of the Book Is Read" and "Are You Walkin' and Talkin' with the Lord". [12] Also featured on the project was the track "House of Gold". [11] Williams's own version of the track would not be released until 1985. According to Smith, the song was among her favorites on the album, although she found it challenging to sing: "I always loved 'House of Gold'. And it was hardest for me to sing, because of the range of it. I had to go into falsetto. [14]

Release and reception

Connie Smith Sings Hank Williams Gospel was released in May 1975 on Columbia Records. It was the twenty seventh studio album released in Smith's career. The disc was distributed as a vinyl LP, containing six songs on "side A" and five songs on "side B". [11] The disc debuted on the American Billboard Country LP's chart on May 31, 1975. Spending three weeks on the chart, the disc only peaked at number 47 by June 7, 1975. [15] Smith and Baker later theorized that the album was not successful because Columbia Records did little to promote or distribute it. "I don't think they promoted gospel records like they should have," Smith commented in 2021. [8] The album later received a positive response from writers Mary A. Bufwack and Robert K. Oermann, who called it "one of her greatest moments on disc". [1] In 1976, the album was nominated for Best Gospel Music Performance by the Grammy Awards. [16]

Track listing

All songs composed by Hank Williams except where noted. [11]

Side one [11]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."I Saw the Light" 2:00
2."Home in Heaven" 2:47
3."Jesus Remembered Me" 2:42
4."How Can You Refuse Him Now" 2:58
5."Jesus Is Calling"
1:39
6."When the Book of Light Is Read" 2:34
Side two [11]
No.TitleLength
1."Are You Walking and Talking for the Lord"2:32
2."House of Gold"2:29
3."I'm Gonna Sing Sing"2:29
4."Calling You"3:10
5."Jesus Died for Me"2:12

Personnel

All credits are adapted from the liner notes of Connie Smith Sings Hank Williams Gospel [11] and the biography booklet by Barry Mazor titled The Latest Shade of Blue. [9]

Accolades

YearNominee / workAwardResultRef.
1976 17th Annual Grammy Awards Best Gospel Music Performance Nominated [16]

Chart performance

Chart (1975)Peak
position
US Top Country Albums (Billboard) [17] 47

Release history

RegionDateFormatLabelRef.
EuropeMay 1975Vinyl CBS Records International [18]
North AmericaColumbia Records [11]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Connie Smith</span> American country music artist (born 1941)

Connie Smith is an American country music singer and songwriter. Her contralto vocals have been described by music writers as significant and influential to the women of country music. A similarity has been noted between her vocal style and the stylings of country vocalist Patsy Cline. Other performers have cited Smith as influence on their own singing styles, which has been reflected in quotes and interviews over the years.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Billie Jo Spears</span> American country music singer (1938–2011)

Billie Jo Spears was an American country music singer. She was known for a series of singles whose characters often represented women in assertive positions. Among these recordings was a song about sexual harassment, and a song about rekindling sexual desire ".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Janie Fricke</span> American singer-songwriter

Jane Marie Fricke, known professionally as Janie Fricke, is an American country music singer, songwriter, record producer, and clothing designer. She has placed seventeen singles in the top ten of the US Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. Eight of these songs reached the number one spot on the Country music chart. She has also won accolades from the Academy of Country Music, Country Music Association and has been nominated for four Grammy Awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Margo Smith</span> American singer-songwriter (1942–2024)

Margo Smith was an American country and Christian music singer–songwriter. She had several years of country success during the 1970s, which included two number one hits on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. In the 1990s, she transitioned towards the Christian market and issued two successful albums. She is also known for her yodeling vocal skills and is often referred to as "The Tennessee Yodeler".

<i>Back in Babys Arms</i> 1969 studio album by Connie Smith

Back in Baby's Arms is the thirteenth solo studio album by American country singer Connie Smith, released in October 1969 by RCA Victor. The album contained a mixture of both new recordings and cover versions of previously-recorded material. Back in Baby's Arms reached the top 20 of the American country albums chart in 1969 and received a four-star rating from AllMusic.

<i>Sunday Morning with Nat Stuckey and Connie Smith</i> 0000 studio album by Nat Stuckey and Connie Smith

Sunday Morning with Nat Stuckey and Connie Smith is the second collaborative studio album by American country artists Nat Stuckey and Connie Smith, released in January 1970 by RCA Victor. The album was a collection of country gospel songs performed as duets by both artists and the pair's first album of religious music. Included was the song "If God Is Dead ". Released as a single, the song charted in the top 60 of the American country chart in 1970. The album received a positive review from Billboard magazine following its release. In 2002, the album was re-released under the title God Will and included a twelfth track.

<i>Just One Time</i> (album) 1971 studio album by Connie Smith

Just One Time is the sixteenth solo studio album by American country singer Connie Smith, released in June 1971 by RCA Victor. The album was named for the lead single of the same name, which reached the top five of the North American country charts in 1971. The album itself would chart in the top 20 of the American country LP's chart following its release. Additionally, Billboard magazine gave the project a positive reception when reviewing it in 1971.

<i>Come Along and Walk with Me</i> 1971 studio album by Connie Smith

Come Along and Walk with Me is seventeenth solo studio album by American country singer Connie Smith, released in October 1971 by RCA Victor. The album was Smith’s third collection of gospel songs. The disc included original songs and covers of songs first cut by other artists. Among the song included on the project were three by gospel performer Dottie Rambo. Following its release, Billboard gave the album a positive review.

<i>If It Aint Love and Other Great Dallas Frazier Songs</i> 1972 studio album by Connie Smith

"If It Ain't Love" and Other Great Dallas Frazier Songs is nineteenth solo studio album by American country singer Connie Smith, released in July 1972 by RCA Victor. The album is a collection of songs composed by songwriter Dallas Frazier. Three of these songs were duets between Smith and Frazier himself. The album's title track was spawned as a single in 1972 and reached the top ten of the American country chart. The album itself reached the top 20 of the American country LP's chart and it received a positive review from Billboard magazine.

<i>Dream Painter</i> 1973 compilation album by Connie Smith

Dream Painter is a compilation album by American country singer Connie Smith, issued in July 1973 by RCA Victor. The album was released following Smith's departure from RCA Victor and contained previously-released material. Two new recordings were also featured, including the title track. Released as a single, the title track would reach the top 30 of American country songs chart. The album itself would chart the American country LP's chart in 1973.

<i>A Lady Named Smith</i> 1973 studio album by Connie Smith

A Lady Named Smith is the twentieth solo studio album by American country singer Connie Smith. It was released in May 1973 by Columbia Records, her first album for the label. The production and style featured a string instrumentation to help market Smith in the pop field. Included were a mix of new material and covers of previously-recorded songs by other artists. The album's only single was the original tune, "You've Got Me ", which reached the American country songs chart in 1973. A Lady Named Smith would also chart on the American country albums chart in 1973.

<i>God Is Abundant</i> 1973 studio album by Connie Smith

God Is Abundant is the twenty-first solo studio album by American country singer Connie Smith. It was released in November 1973 on Columbia Records and contained 11 tracks. The project was a collection of gospel recordings, chosen by Smith herself. Several of the songs included on the project were written by other country artists including Larry Gatlin, Kris Kristofferson and Dolly Parton. The album reached the top 20 of the American country LP's chart following its release.

<i>Thats the Way Love Goes</i> (Connie Smith album) 1974 studio album by Connie Smith

That's the Way Love Goes is the twenty-second solo studio album by American country singer Connie Smith. It was released in March 1974 on Columbia Records and contained 11 tracks. The album included both original material and covers of songs first recorded by other music artists. Two singles were released from the album. "Ain't Love a Good Thing" reached the top ten of the American country songs chart and became her nineteenth top ten single in her career.

<i>I Never Knew</i> (What That Song Meant Before) 1974 studio album by Connie Smith

I Never Knew (What That Song Meant Before) is the twenty-third solo studio album by American country singer Connie Smith. It was released in August 1974 on Columbia Records and contained 11 tracks. The album was a mix of original material and covers of songs by other artists. The project was described as a set of traditional songs. Its title track was a single that reached the top 20 of the American country songs chart. The album itself charted the American country LP's chart following its release. The project was met with a favorable review from Billboard magazine.

<i>I Got a Lot of Hurtin Done Today / Ive Got My Baby on My Mind</i> 1975 studio album by Connie Smith

I Got a Lot of Hurtin' Done Today / I've Got My Baby on My Mind is the twenty-fourth solo studio album by American country singer Connie Smith. It was released in January 1975 and contained 11 tracks. It was also considered to be one of her "most commercially-successful" discs of the decade, according to biographer Barry Mazor. Three singles were included on the project. Both "I've Got My Baby on My Mind" and her cover of "Why Don't You Love Me" reached the top 15 of the American country songs chart. "I Got a Lot of Hurtin' Done Today" would chart in the top 30. The album itself reached the American country LP's chart in early 1975. Billboard gave the album a positive review following its release.

<i>Joy to the World</i> (Connie Smith album) 1975 studio album by Connie Smith

Joy to the World is the twenty-sixth solo studio album by American country singer Connie Smith. It was released in October 1975 via Columbia Records and originally contained ten tracks. It was re-released decades later by Real Gone Music to digital sites and featured one new track. The album was Smith's first album of Christmas music.

<i>The Song We Fell in Love To</i> 1976 studio album by Connie Smith

The Song We Fell in Love To is the twenty-seventh solo studio album by American country singer Connie Smith. It was released in March 1976 on Columbia Records. The album contained ten tracks of material crafted in a country pop style that featured overdubbed vocal harmonies by Smith herself. Two singles were included on the project: the title track and a cover of The Everly Brothers's "(Till) I Kissed You". The latter single became Smith's first top ten American single in several years. The album itself peaked in the top 40 of the American Country LP's chart in 1976.

<i>I Dont Wanna Talk It Over Anymore</i> 1976 studio album by Connie Smith

I Don't Wanna Talk It Over Anymore is the twenty-eight solo studio album by American country singer Connie Smith. It was released in October 1976 and contained ten tracks. The project's name was derived from the title track, which was one of three singles included. Its other single releases included a cover The Everly Brothers's "So Sad " and an original tune called "The Latest Shade of Blue". The title track was the album's most successful single, placing in the top 20 of the American country songs chart. The album received a positive response from Billboard magazine following its release. It was also Smith's final studio project released with the Columbia label.

<i>Pure Connie Smith</i> 1977 studio album by Connie Smith

Pure Connie Smith is the twenty-ninth solo studio album by American country singer Connie Smith. It was released in November 1977 via Monument Records and contained ten tracks. The album was Smith's first with the Monument label. The album was recorded in a country pop production style featuring mostly new recordings. One single was released from the album, "Coming Around". The song charted the American country songs chart in 1977.

<i>New Horizons</i> (Connie Smith album) 1978 studio album by Connie Smith

New Horizons is the thirtieth solo studio album by American country singer Connie Smith. It was released in March 1978 and contained ten tracks. She had recently switched to Monument after several years with Columbia Records. The album was cut in a country pop production style that Smith felt pressured into. Yet three singles made the American country songs chart between 1977 and 1978, including the top 20 "I Just Want to Be Your Everything".

References

Footnotes

  1. 1 2 Bufwack & Oermann 2003, p. 294.
  2. Bush, John. "Connie Smith: Biography". AllMusic . Retrieved 22 June 2022.
  3. Whitburn, Joel (2008). Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2008. Record Research, Inc. ISBN   978-0-89820-177-2.
  4. Mazor 2021, p. 11.
  5. Mazor 2021, p. 39-40.
  6. 1 2 Mazor 2021, p. 43.
  7. 1 2 Mazor 2021, p. 21-22.
  8. 1 2 Mazor 2021, p. 22.
  9. 1 2 Mazor 2021, p. 58-59.
  10. "Connie Smith Sings Hank Williams Gospel: Connie Smith: Songs, reviews, credits". AllMusic . Retrieved 23 June 2022.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Smith, Connie (May 1975). "Connie Smith Sings Hank Williams Gospel (LP Liner Notes & Album Information)". Columbia Records . KC-33414.
  12. 1 2 Mazor 2021, p. 44.
  13. Williams, Hank (1954). "I Saw the Light (LP Information)". MGM Records . E-243.
  14. Mazor 2021, p. 45.
  15. "Connie Smith chart history (Country Albums)". Billboard . Retrieved 23 June 2022.
  16. 1 2 "Connie Smith: Artist". Grammy Awards . Retrieved 30 April 2022.
  17. "Connie Smith Chart History (Top Country Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved June 23, 2022.
  18. Smith, Connie (May 1975). "Connie Smith Sings Hank Williams Gospel (LP Liner Notes & Album Information)". CBS Records International . 81077.

Books