Slippin' Away (album)

Last updated
Slippin' Away
Jean Shepard--Slippin Away--LP.jpg
Studio album by
Jean Shepard
ReleasedSeptember 1973 (1973-09)
RecordedMarch–April 1973
Studio House of Cash
Genre Country [1]
Label United Artists
Producer Larry Butler
Jean Shepard chronology
Just Like Walkin' in the Sunshine
(1972)		Slippin' Away
(1973)		I'll Do Anything It Takes
(1974)
Singles from Slippin' Away
  1. "Slippin' Away"
    Released: May 1973
  2. "Come on Phone"
    Released: October 1973

Slippin' Away is a studio album by American country singer Jean Shepard. It was released by United Artists Records in September 1973 and was her twentieth studio album. The album was named for Shepard's top five US and Canadian country single of the same name. The album itself was Shepard's first for United Artists after many years with Capitol Records. It received a positive response from both Billboard and Record World magazines.

Contents

Background

One of country music's first successful solo female artists, Jean Shepard rose to fame in the 1950s and had top ten and 20 singles over the next 20 years. Shepard had been with Capitol Records until the early 1970s, [2] but was getting frustrated with the lack of attention the label gave to her recent releases. [3] In February 1973, it was announced that Shepard had moved to United Artists Records. [4] In 1973, her United Artists single "Slippin' Away" made the country top ten. [2] Her first United Artists of the same name would be named for the single. [5]

Recording and content

At first, Larry Butler was working alongside Johnny Cash at Columbia Records until it was announced he would be working as an independent producer at United Artists. With this decision, it was then decided that Butler would serve as Shepard's producer for her next recording sessions. [6] Recording sessions for Slippin' Away were held between March and April 1973 at the House of Cash studios in Hendersonville, Tennessee. Butler was the sole producer on the album. [7] [8] The album contained a total of ten tracks. [1] A majority of the recordings were cover tunes. [9] Covers included "Teddy Bear Song", "'Til I Get It Right", "Funny Face" and "It's Not Love (But It's Not Bad)". [5] The title track was one of the album's few new tracks and was penned by Bill Anderson. [9]

Release and critical reception

Cash Box magazine originally stated that Slippin' Away would be released in mid-August 1973. [10] However, the album was instead released in September 1973 by United Artists Records. The label distributed it as a vinyl LP, with five songs on each side of the disc. Slippin' Away was the twentieth studio album released in Shepard's career. [8] It was given positive reviews from critics following its release. Billboard named it among its "Country Picks" in September 1973, finding that Shepard was "singing better than any time in her life". Critics also predicted high sales, stating, "The titles in this album are very familiar, which should help with the product." [9] Record World magazine also praised the album in September 1973 calling the cover tunes "a solid collection of hits" with "fine readings". [5]

Chart performance and singles

Slippin' Away was Shepard's first album in three years to make the US Billboard Top Country Albums chart, rising to the number 15 position in 1973. It was her third highest-peaking album on the country survey behind two records from 1966. It was one of seven albums by Shepard to make the top 20 of the same survey. [11] Slippin' Away included two singles. Its lead single was the title track, which was initially released by United Artists in May 1973. [12] It rose to the number four position on the US country songs chart and number three on Canada's RPM country chart in 1973. [13] [14] "Come on Phone" was spawned as the second single in October 1973, [15] reaching number 36 on the US country chart [13] and number 28 on the Canadian country chart. [14]

Track listing

Side one [8]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Slippin' Away" B. Anderson 2:27
2."The Teddy Bear Song"
3:02
3."The Last Thing on My Mind" T. Paxton 2:35
4."Till I Get It Right"
2:28
5."It's Not Love (But It's Not Bad)"
2:41
Side two [8]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Come on Phone"
  • J. Slate
  • L. Henley
2:12
2."Think I'll Go Somewhere (And Cry Myself to Sleep)"B. Anderson2:45
3."Funny Face" D. Fargo 2:27
4."Safe in the Love of My Man"M. Sharp3:24
5."Are You Sincere?"W. Walker1:59

Personnel

All credits are adapted from the liner notes of Slippin' Away. [8]

Chart performance

Chart (1973)Peak
position
US Top Country Albums (Billboard) [16] 15

Release history

RegionDateFormatLabelRef.
North AmericaSeptember 1973Vinyl LP (Stereo)United Artists Records [8]
Australia [17]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jean Shepard</span> American country singer (1933–2016)

Jean Shepard was an American honky-tonk singer who is often acknowledged as a pioneer for women in country music. Shepard released a total of 73 singles to the Hot Country Songs chart, one of which reached the number-one spot. She recorded a total of 24 studio albums between 1956 and 1981, and became a member of the Grand Ole Opry in 1955.

<i>Special Delivery</i> (Dottie West album) 1979 studio album by Dottie West

Special Delivery is a studio album by American country artist Dottie West. It was released by both Liberty Records and United Artists Records in November 1979. The album was released following a successful commercial comeback in West's career. Its new country pop production style was considered a departure from her previous recordings. The project consisted of ten tracks, six of which were composed by producers Randy Goodrum and Brent Maher. Three of the tracks were singles, including West's first solo chart-topper "A Lesson in Leavin'". Special Delivery reached the top 20 of the US country chart and was among her longest-running albums on the country survey

<i>When Its Just You and Me</i> (album) 1977 studio album by Dottie West

When It's Just You and Me is a studio album by American country artist Dottie West. It was released in July 1977 via United Artists Records and contained 11 tracks. It was the 24th studio album in West's career and her first for the United Artists label. Of its 11 songs, four of them were spawned as singles: the title track, "Every Word I Write", "Tonight You Belong to Me" and "That's All I Wanted to Know". The title track reached the top 20 on the US and Canadian country singles charts. The album was reviewed positively by Billboard magazine following its original release.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jean Shepard discography</span>

The discography of American country singer Jean Shepard contains 29 studio albums, 12 compilation albums, two live albums, 1 box set album, 72 lead and collaborative singles, four promotional singles, two other charted songs and nine album appearances. Her first singles were released by Capitol Records in 1953, beginning with "Crying Steel Guitar Waltz". Her next two releases featured vocals by Shepard and a recitation by Ferlin Husky. The first was "A Dear John Letter", Shepard's only number one single on the US Hot Country Songs chart. It also reached number four on the US pop chart and number three in Australia. The second was "Forgive Me, John", which reached the US country top five, the US pop top 30 and the Australia top 20. In 1955, her solo singles "A Satisfied Mind" and "Beautiful Lies" both reached number four on the US Hot Country Songs chart. Their B-sides also charted on the US country chart: "Take Possession" and "I Thought of You". The latter peaked in the US country top ten.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Slippin' Away (Jean Shepard song)</span> 1973 single by Jean Shepard

"Slippin' Away" is a song written by American singer-songwriter Bill Anderson and was originally recorded by American country singer Jean Shepard. Inspired to write the song while watching an old film, Shepard chose to the song to record and it was released as her first single for the United Artists label in 1973. It became her first top ten US country song in several years and was issued on an album of the same name.

"The Tip of My Fingers", also titled "The Tips of My Fingers", is a song written and originally recorded by American country music singer Bill Anderson. First included on his 1962 album Bill Anderson Sings Country Heart Songs, the song was a Top Ten country single for him in 1960.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Then He Touched Me</span> 1969 single by Jean Shepard

"Then He Touched Me" is a song originally recorded by American country singer Jean Shepard. Written by George Richey and Norro Wilson, it reached the top ten of the US country chart and was nominated by the Grammy Awards. It was Shepard's ninth top ten single in her career and was included on her 1970 album A Woman's Hand.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Another Lonely Night (Jean Shepard song)</span>

"Another Lonely Night" is a song written by Jan Crutchfield and Larry Butler. It was released as a single by both Jean Shepard (1970) and Jody Miller (1977). Shepard's version was the highest-charting, rising into the top 20 of the US country chart in 1971. Her version was included on her 1971 studio album Here and Now. Miller's version also made the US country chart, but only rose into the top 80 after its release. Both versions were reviewed by Billboard magazine following their individual releases.

<i>Simple Little Words</i> 1979 studio album by Cristy Lane

Simple Little Words is a studio album by American Christian and country artist Cristy Lane. It was released in September 1979 via United Artists Records and LS Records. It contained ten tracks. It was the fourth studio effort of Lane's music career and her first with the United Artists label. Simple Little Words produced three singles that became hits on the North American country charts. The album received a positive review following its release.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Slippin' Up, Slippin' Around</span> 1979 single by Cristy Lane

"Slippin' Up, Slippin' Around" is a song composed by Terry Woodford and Barbara Wyrick. It was first recorded by American Christian and country music singer Cristy Lane. In 1979, it was released as a single via United Artists Records and became a major hit single on the American country chart. The song was later released Lane's 1979 studio record titled Simple Little Words.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Come to My Love</span> 1979 single by Cristy Lane

"Come to My Love" is a song composed by Sam Lorber and Jeff Silbar. It was first recorded by American Christian and country music singer Cristy Lane. In 1979, it was released as a single via United Artists Records and became a major hit single on the American country chart. The song was later released Lane's 1979 studio record titled Simple Little Words.

The Kendalls was an American country music duo composed of Royce Kendall and his daughter Jeannie Kendall. Their discography consists of 14 studio albums, four compilation albums, 46 singles, and four music videos. Of their singles, 38 charted on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs charts between 1970 and 1989, including the number one singles "Heaven's Just a Sin Away" (1977), "Sweet Desire" / "Old Fashioned Love" (1978), and "Thank God for the Radio" (1984).

<i>Your Forevers Dont Last Very Long</i> (album) 1967 studio album by Jean Shepard

Your Forevers Don't Last Very Long is a studio album by American country singer Jean Shepard. It was released in September 1967 by Capitol Records and consisted of 12 tracks. The album was both a collection of new recordings and cover tunes. Of the new recordings was the album's only single "Your Forevers ". The title track reached the top 20 on the US country chart in 1967. The album itself also reached the US country top 20 and received a positive review from Cash Box magazine.

<i>Seven Lonely Days</i> (album) 1969 studio album by Jean Shepard

Seven Lonely Days is a studio album by American country singer Jean Shepard. It was released in September 1969 by Capitol Records and was her fourteenth studio album. The ten-track collection featured several covers, including the title track. Released as a single, the title track reached the top 20 of the US country songs chart. The album itself also reached the US country albums survey. Seven Lonely Days received reviews from both music magazines and music websites following its release.

<i>Best by Request</i> 1970 studio album (re-recording) by Jean Shepard

Best by Request is a studio album by American country singer Jean Shepard. It was released in March 1970 by Capitol Records and was her fifteenth studio album. The songs were re-recordings Shepard revisited, which were considered her best known songs such as "A Satisfied Mind" and "Beautiful Lies". Best by Request made the US country albums chart following its release and received a positive review from Cash Box magazine.

"A Woman's Hand" is a song written by Jan Crutchfield. It was originally recorded by American country singer Barbara Fairchild and was released as a single in 1969. Her version entered the top 70 of the US country songs chart. It was notably recorded by American country singer Jean Shepard whose version was released as a separate single in 1970. Shepard's version reached the top 30 of the US country chart. Both songs appeared on individual studio albums by each recording artist.

"With His Hand in Mine" is a song originally recorded by American country singer Jean Shepard. Released as a single in 1971, it reached the top 40 of the US country songs chart. It was later included on her 1971 album Just as Soon as I Get Over Loving You and received reviews from two music publications following its release.

<i>A Womans Hand</i> (album) 1970 studio album by Jean Shepard

A Woman's Hand is a studio album by American country singer Jean Shepard. It was released in September 1970 by Capitol Records and was her sixteenth studio album. The collection of ten tracks featured a series of cover tunes by male country artists. Some of the songs were new material. Among them were its three singles: "Then He Touched Me", "I Want You Free" and the title track. Of the three, "Then He Touched Me" was its highest-charting, reaching the top ten on the US country chart. A Woman's Hand was reviewed positively by both Billboard and Cash Box magazines.

"Come on Phone" is a song originally recorded by American country singer Jean Shepard. Released as a single in 1973, it reached the top 40 of the US and Canadian country songs charts. It was the second single spawned from her 1973 album Slippin' Away. It received positive reviews from music magazines following its release.

<i>Just Like Walkin in the Sunshine</i> 1972 studio album by Jean Shepard

Just Like Walkin' in the Sunshine is a studio album by American country singer Jean Shepard. It was released in September 1972 by Capitol Records and was her nineteenth studio album. It would be Shepard's final Capitol album before moving to United Artists Records. Shepard was noticing a lack of attention towards her music from Capitol by this point and would even boycott recording sessions for the album until receiving more support from the company. Nonetheless, the album was completed and included three singles that peaked outside the US and Canadian country top 40 songs charts: "Safe in These Lovin' Arms of Mine", "Virginia" and the title track. It was given a positive review from Billboard following its release.

References

  1. 1 2 "Slippin' Away: Jean Shepard: Songs, reviews, credits". AllMusic . Retrieved 8 July 2024.
  2. 1 2 Cooper, Dan. "Jean Shepard". Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum . Retrieved 30 June 2024.
  3. ↑ Shepard, Jean (2014). Down Through the Years. Don Wise Productions. p. 84. ISBN   978-0944391068.
  4. ↑ Williams, Bill (February 17, 1973). "Nashville Scene" (PDF). Billboard . p. 32. Retrieved 8 July 2024.
  5. 1 2 3 "Country Picks of the Week: Album" (PDF). Record World . September 15, 1973. p. 56. Retrieved 8 July 2024.
  6. ↑ Williams, Bill (January 20, 1973). "Nashville Scene" (PDF). Billboard . p. 52. Retrieved 8 July 2024.
  7. ↑ Williams, Bill (April 14, 1973). "Nashville Scene" (PDF). Billboard . p. 34. Retrieved 8 July 2024.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Shepard, Jean (September 1973). "Slippin' Away (Liner Notes)". United Artists Records . UA-LA144-F (Stereo).
  9. 1 2 3 "Billboard's Top Album Picks: Country Picks". Billboard . September 15, 1973. p. 50. Retrieved 8 July 2024.
  10. ↑ "Cash Box Country Roundup" (PDF). Cash Box . August 4, 1973. p. 46. Retrieved 8 July 2024.
  11. ↑ Whitburn, Joel (2008). Joel Whitburn Presents Hot Country Albums, 1964-2007. Record Research, Inc. ISBN   978-0898201734.
  12. ↑ Shepard, Jean (May 1973). ""Slippin' Away"/"Think I'll Go Somewhere (And Cry Myself to Sleep)" (7" vinyl single)". United Artists Records . UA-XW248-W.
  13. 1 2 Whitburn, Joel (2004). The Billboard Book Of Top 40 Country Hits: 1944-2006, Second edition. Record Research.
  14. 1 2 "Search results for "Jean Shepard" under RPM Country Singles". RPM . Archived from the original on October 24, 2012. Retrieved September 10, 2011.
  15. ↑ Shepard, Jean (October 1973). ""Come on Phone"/"Are You Sincere?" (7" vinyl single)". United Artists Records . UA-XW317-W.
  16. ↑ "Jean Shepard Chart History (Top Country Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved July 9, 2024.
  17. ↑ Shepard, Jean (September 1973). "Slippin' Away [Australia]". United Artists Records . L-35120 (Stereo).
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.