Cute 'n' Country

Last updated
Cute 'n' Country
Connie Smith-Cute in Country.jpg
Studio album by
Connie Smith
ReleasedOctober 1965
RecordedMarch 17 – May 28, 1965
Studio RCA Studio B
Genre Country [1]
Length27:53
Label RCA Victor
Producer Bob Ferguson
Connie Smith chronology
Connie Smith
(1965)		Cute 'n' Country
(1965)		 Miss Smith Goes to Nashville
(1966)
Singles from Cute 'n' Country
  1. "I Can't Remember"
    Released: April 1965

Cute 'n' Country is the second studio album by American country music artist Connie Smith. It was released in October 1965 by RCA Victor and contained 12 tracks. Cute 'n' Country contained a mixture of original songs and cover versions by other country artists. Featured on the album was the top ten single "I Can't Remember". Cute 'n' Country was Smith's second album to top the Billboard country LP's chart.

Contents

Background

In 1964, Connie Smith's debut single, "Once a Day", topped the country charts for a record-setting eight weeks. The success jump-started Smith's professional career and launched a series of hits following it. [2] "Once a Day" was included on Smith's debut self-titled album (released in March 1965). [3] The album also included the top five single "Then and Only Then". Smith and her record label were disappointed when "Then and Only Then" did not top the charts. In an effort to find a single that would "eclipse" 1964's "Once a Day", Smith went back into the studio to record her second album Cute 'n' Country. The album was named for a disc jockey who introduced Smith on the air by saying, "Here's cute and country Connie Smith". Smith later remarked that she disliked the title. "Back in Ohio, 'cute' meant bowlegged," she told writer Colin Escott. The cover photo was taken in the front yard of a residential home located in Hendersonville, Tennessee. [4]

Recording and content

Cute 'n' Country was recorded at RCA Studio B in Nashville, Tennessee between March 17 and May 28, 1965. The sessions were produced by Bob Ferguson. [5] Five of the album's 12 tracks were cover versions of country songs originally made popular by other artists. These songs were Webb Pierce's "Even Tho", Ray Price's "I'll Be There (If You Ever Want Me)", Jim Reeves and Dottie West's "Love Is No Excuse", Jean Shepard's "I Thought of You" and Charlie Walker's "Pick Me Up on Your Way Down". [4] [5] Remaining songs on the album were original recordings. Among these selections were three tracks penned by Bill Anderson, which included the single "I Can't Remember". Producer Bob Ferguson found the track "Senses", which was composed by then-unknown future performers Glen Campbell and Jeannie Seely. [4] Seely later recorded the track herself with Smith singing background vocals on her 2017 release Written in Song . [6]

Release and reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svg [7]

Cute 'n' Country was released in March 1965 via RCA Victor Records and was the second studio release of Smith's career. It was originally issued as a vinyl LP, containing six songs on either side of the record. [5] In later years, the project was issued in a digital format via Sony Music Entertainment. [8] In its original issue, Cute 'n' Country spent 30 weeks on Billboard magazine's Country LP's chart. This was similar to that of Smith's debut album, which also spent 30 weeks on the same chart. It also became her second LP to reach the number one spot on the Country LP's survey, holding the position for two weeks in December 1965. [9] [10] The album included Smith's RCA Victor Single "I Can't Remember". It was first issued by the label in April 1965. [11] After 16 weeks, the single peaked at number nine on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart in July 1965. [12]

In October 1965, Billboard magazine gave Cute 'n' Country a positive response: "The chantress delivers a dozen tunes – some of them really great ones – with a maximum of country flavor and style." [13] The album received a positive reception from Richie Unterberger of AllMusic, who gave the release 4.5 stars. He found the album's Nashville Sound style to be "tasteful" and further commented that "Smith proved herself capable of delivering sorrowful, modified honky tonk". [1]

Track listings

Vinyl version

Side one [5]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Two Empty Arms" Bill Anderson 2:27
2."Even Tho'"
2:32
3."I Thought of You" Jimmy Rollins 2:19
4."More to Love Than This" Hank Mills 2:25
5."Not Till You Come Back to Me"Anderson1:52
6."Senses"
2:18
Side two [5]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."I'll Be There (If You Ever Want Me)"
2:00
2."Love Is No Excuse" Justin Tubb 2:55
3."I Can Stand It (As Long as He Can)"
2:05
4."House Divided" Bobby Bare 2:12
5."I Can't Remember"
  • Bill Anderson
  • Bette Anderson
2:28
6."I Can Turn Your World Around"
2:20

Digital version

Cute 'n' Country (download and streaming) [8]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Two Empty Arms"Anderson2:36
2."Even Tho'"
  • Jones
  • Peeples
  • Pierce
2:35
3."I Thought of You"Rollins2:23
4."More to Love Than This"Mills2:29
5."Not Till You Come Back to Me"Anderson1:56
6."Senses"
  • Campbell
  • Seely
2:24
7."I'll Be There (If You Ever Want Me)"
  • Gabbard
  • Price
2:05
8."Love Is No Excuse"Tubb3:01
9."I Can Stand It (As Long as He Can)"
  • Redd
  • Torok
2:08
10."House Divided"Bare2:16
11."I Can't Remember"
  • Bill Anderson
  • Bette Anderson
2:34
12."I Can Turn Your World Around"
  • Ebner
  • Rhodes
  • Spears
2:26

Personnel

All credits are adapted from the liner notes of Cute 'n' Country. [5]

Musical personnel

Technical personnel

Chart performance

Chart (1965)Peak
position
US Top Country Albums (Billboard) [14] 1

Release history

RegionDateFormatLabelRef.
CanadaOctober 1965VinylRCA Victor Records [5]
United Kingdom [15]
United States [5]
2010s
  • Music download
  • streaming
 Sony Music Entertainment [8]

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.

"I Can't Remember" is a song written by Bill and Bette Anderson, and recorded as a single by American country artist, Connie Smith. It was produced by Bob Ferguson and was released on her 1965 album, Cute 'n' Country. The song was released in April 1965, reaching the Top 5 on the Billboard country music chart, becoming her third Top 10 hit. It was Smith's third single released under the RCA Victor label.

<i>Connie Smith</i> (1965 album) 1965 studio album by Connie Smith

Connie Smith is the debut studio album by American country music artist Connie Smith. It was released in March 1965 by RCA Victor and was produced by Bob Ferguson. The album included Smith's debut single, "Once a Day". The song became her signature recording and biggest hit, reaching number one on the Billboard country songs chart.

<i>Miss Smith Goes to Nashville</i> 1966 studio album by Connie Smith

Miss Smith Goes to Nashville is the third studio album by American country singer Connie Smith. It was released in March 1966 by RCA Victor and contained 12 tracks. The album contained original material including several tracks penned by Smith's mentor Bill Anderson. Miss Smith Goes to Nashville reached number two on the country LP's chart in 1966 and included the top five singles "Nobody But a Fool " and "If I Talk to Him".

<i>Born to Sing</i> (Connie Smith album) 1966 studio album by Connie Smith

Born to Sing is the fifth studio album by American country singer Connie Smith. It was released in September 1966 by RCA Victor and contained 12 tracks. The album was her first to include string instrumentation. It reached the top five of the Billboard Country LP's chart and included the single "Ain't Had No Lovin'".

<i>Connie Smith Sings Great Sacred Songs</i> 1966 studio album by Connie Smith

Connie Smith Sings Great Sacred Songs is the fourth studio album by American country singer Connie Smith. It was released in June 1966 by RCA Victor and contained 12 tracks. It was also her first collection of gospel songs. The project included covers of popular gospel selections including "Father Along" and "Just a Closer Walk with Thee". The disc reached the top 20 of Billboard country albums chart in 1966.

<i>Downtown Country</i> 1967 studio album by Connie Smith

Downtown Country is the sixth studio album by American country singer Connie Smith. It was released in January 1967 by RCA Victor. Downtown Country was the second of Smith's albums to include string instrumentation to help create a pop-influenced sound. The album also featured the single "The Hurtin's All Over", which reached the top five of the Billboard country chart. The album itself reached the top five of Country LP's chart following its initial release.

<i>Connie in the Country</i> 1967 studio album by Connie Smith

Connie in the Country is the seventh studio album by American country singer Connie Smith. It was released in February 1967 on RCA Camden and contained ten tracks. It was her first to be released on RCA's budget Camden label. Unlike most RCA Camden albums which often contained previously issued material, the album consisted of new recordings for Smith's catalog. This included the single, "Cry, Cry, Cry", which was a top 20 hit on the American country songs chart in 1968.

<i>Connie Smith Sings Bill Anderson</i> 1967 studio album by Connie Smith

Connie Smith Sings Bill Anderson is the eighth studio album by American country singer Connie Smith. It was released in May 1967 by RCA Victor and featured 12 tracks. The album was dedicated to her mentor, Bill Anderson. It contained several songs made popular by Anderson himself, along with several tracks made popular by other performers. It also included the newly-recorded "Cincinnati, Ohio". Smith released her version as a single, which climbed into the top five of the American country songs charts. The album received favorable reviews following its release.

<i>The Best of Connie Smith</i> (1967 album) 1967 greatest hits album by Connie Smith

The Best of Connie Smith is a compilation album by American country singer Connie Smith. It was released in September 1967 by RCA Victor and featured 12 tracks. The disc was Smith's first compilation project released in her career and featured her most popular singles made commercially successful between 1964 and 1967. It also featured one new recording titled "I'll Come Runnin'". Penned by Smith herself and released as a single, the song became a top ten hit on the American country songs chart in 1967.

<i>Soul of Country Music</i> 1967 studio album by Connie Smith

Soul of Country Music is the ninth studio album by American country singer Connie Smith. It was released in December 1967 by RCA Victor and contained 12 tracks. The album included mostly covers of previously-recorded songs. It received mixed reviews from critics following its release and reached the top ten of the American country albums chart.

<i>I Love Charley Brown</i> 1968 studio album by Connie Smith

I Love Charley Brown is the tenth studio album by American country singer Connie Smith, released in April 1968 by RCA Victor. The album reached the top 20 of the American country albums chart. It was described as a collection of pop-inspired country songs. Included were four cuts written by Smith's longtime songwriting collaborator, Dallas Frazier. Among his cuts was one of the album's three singles, "Run Away Little Tears". Along with Frazier's cut, the two additional singles included reached the top ten of the American country songs chart. The album was met with favorable reviews from critics.

<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>The Best of Connie Smith Volume II</i> 1970 compilation album by Connie Smith

The Best of Connie Smith Volume II is a compilation album by American country singer Connie Smith, released in March 1970 by RCA Victor, her second "Best Of" compilation. The album compiled Smith's most popular singles between 1967 and 1969. The album reached the top 30 of the American country albums chart following its release. Also included was two new recordings. Of these new recordings, one was released as a single in 1969. Titled "You and Your Sweet Love", it reached the top ten of the country singles chart.

<i>I Never Once Stopped Loving You</i> 1970 studio album by Connie Smith

I Never Once Stopped Loving You is the fourteenth solo studio album by American country singer Connie Smith, released in September 1970 by RCA Victor. The collection mixed original material with covers of previously-recorded songs. Three singles were included on the album: "You and Your Sweet Love", the title track and "Louisiana Man". Both "You and Your Sweet Love" and the title track reached the top ten on the American country songs chart in 1970. The album itself charted in the top 20 of the American country LP's survey. Billboard magazine gave the LP a positive response following its original release.

<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>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>Connie Smiths Greatest Hits, Vol. I</i> 1973 greatest hits album by Connie Smith

Connie Smith's Greatest Hits, Vol. I is a compilation album by American country singer Connie Smith, released in October 1973 by RCA Victor. The album was one of several compilations released following Smith's departure from RCA Victor. It included ten of Smith's most popular singles from her career, such as the number one single, "Once a Day", and top ten single, "The Hurtin's All Over". The album charted on the American country LP's chart in 1973 and received a positive review from Billboard magazine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Connie Smith albums discography</span>

The albums discography of Connie Smith, an American country artist, consists of 39 studio albums, one live album, 14 compilation albums, three box sets, and 26 other appearances. After the success of her 1964 single "Once a Day", Smith's self-titled debut album was released in March 1965 on RCA Victor Records. The album reached number one on the Billboard Top Country Albums, spending thirty weeks on the chart, while also becoming her only album to reach the Billboard 200 list (#105). Smith's next two secular albums, Cute 'n' Country and Miss Smith Goes to Nashville went to number one and number two respectively between 1965 and 1966. In September 1966 Smith released her fifth studio album, Born to Sing, which was her third album to reach the top spot on the Billboard country albums chart. Due to Smith's popularity, RCA Victor issued five albums between 1967 and 1968 including Downtown Country (1967), Connie Smith Sings Bill Anderson (1967), and I Love Charley Brown (1968). In 1969, Smith collaborated with country artist Nat Stuckey on the album Young Love.

"Tiny Blue Transistor Radio" is a song written by Bill Anderson that was originally recorded by American country music singer Connie Smith. It was released as the B-side to her 1965 single, "Then and Only Then". "Tiny Blue Transistor Radio" also became a charting country single, peaking within the top 40 of the national country survey in 1965.

References

  1. 1 2 Unterberger, Richie. "Cute 'n' Country: Connie Smith: Songs, reviews, credits". AllMusic . Retrieved 30 June 2021.
  2. ↑ Bush, John. "Connie Smith: Biography & History". AllMusic . Retrieved 30 June 2021.
  3. ↑ Smith, Connie (March 1965). "Connie Smith (LP Liner Notes and Album Information)". RCA Victor Records . LPM-3341.
  4. 1 2 3 Escott, Colin (May 8, 2001). Born to Sing (Box Set Biography). Bear Family Records. pp. 17–18. ISBN   3-89795-770-1.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Smith, Connie (October 1965). "Cute 'n' Country (LP Liner Notes and Album Information)". RCA Victor Records . LSP-3444.
  6. ↑ Seely, Jeannie (February 2017). "Written in Song (Liner Notes)". Cheyenne Records. 7282.
  7. ↑ Allmusic review
  8. 1 2 3 "Cute 'n' Country by Connie Smith". Apple Music . Retrieved 30 June 2021.
  9. ↑ "Connie Smith chart history (Country Albums)". Billboard . Retrieved 30 April 2022.
  10. ↑ "Cute 'n' Country chart history". Billboard . Retrieved 30 June 2021.
  11. ↑ Smith, Connie (April 1965). ""I Can't Remember" / "Senses" (7" vinyl single)". RCA Victor Records . 47-8551.
  12. ↑ "Connie Smith chart history (Country Songs)". Billboard . Retrieved 30 April 2022.
  13. ↑ "Album Reviews: Country Spotlight". Billboard . Vol. 77, no. 43. October 23, 1965. p. 60.
  14. ↑ "Connie Smith Chart History (Top Country Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved June 30, 2021.
  15. ↑ Smith, Connie (October 1965). "Cute 'n' Country (UK LP Liner Notes and Album Information)". RCA Victor Records . RD-7785.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.