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| Tennessee Whiskey | ||||
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1981 | |||
| Recorded | 1980–1981 | |||
| Genre | Country | |||
| Label | Columbia | |||
| Producer | Billy Sherrill | |||
| David Allan Coe chronology | ||||
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Tennessee Whiskey is a 1981 album by country singer David Allan Coe.
By 1981, the outlaw country movement waned as the slicker "urban cowboy" era took hold in country music, typified by Johnny Lee's hit "Lookin' for Love", which critic Kurt Wolff panned the song as an example of "watered-down cowboy music." [1] Coe was an important figure in the outlaw country genre, but judging by the sound of his recordings from this period, he had no interest in the trendy urban cowboy phase. (He would, however, invite Lee to contribute to Tennessee Whiskey.) Refusing to give into the flavor-of-the-month generic country "talent", Coe stuck to what he knew and sharpened the edges. [2] Like his first two LPs of the 1980s, I've Got Something to Say and Invictus (Means) Unconquered, Tennessee Whiskey had a more polished sound but were firmly rooted in a pure country sound.
The title track was released as a single and peaked at No. 77 on the country singles chart. Producer Billy Sherrill had better luck when he cut the song with George Jones in 1983 and saw it rise to No. 2. Ironically, Jones's version was slightly sweeter, with background singers and a string arrangement, compared to the stripped down version Coe recorded, which emphasised the singer’s vocal and an acoustic guitar. As on his previous two LPs, Coe relied more on outside writers, but managed to write half the songs himself. "If I Knew" is another in a long line of catchy country tunes with breezy hooks Coe seemed able to write so effortlessly, and is augmented with a banjo near the end, giving the song an Appalachian flavour. Similarly, "Little Orphan Annie" is a ballad-turned-bluegrass orgy. [2] The many-times divorced Coe also ruminates on relationship woes on two songs: "I'll Always Be a Fool for You" reveals the weariness that comes with a toxic relationship, while "I've Given 'Bout All I Can Take" expresses frustration at a lover who fears commitment ("You've got a heart that won't let it come through…")
Coe covers two classics on the LP. The first is a heartfelt rendition of "Pledging My Love" and includes a spoken introduction where Coe recalls being in the Boys Industrial School in Lancaster, Ohio, in the 1950s when a guard told him that his favourite singer, Johnny Ace, had committed suicide. "I've always wanted to sing that song," Coe says wistfully, "but I was never able to. I think after all these years I'd like to try…" The second cover is "Dock of the Bay" by Otis Redding. Coe's version is more upbeat than the original. In his AllMusic review of the album, writer Thom Jurek is effusive in his praise for the vocal performance:
The most eclectic and risky track on the set is a cover of Otis Redding's "Dock of the Bay." Many have tried and almost no one has succeeded with this one, but Coe's read is immediate, deep, and soulful in a restless country way. Anyone who ever doubted his ability to interpret a classic tune should give this one a listen because, frankly, it'll blow your mind. [2]
The album features two duets, the first with Terry McMillan on "We Got a Bad Thing Goin'" and the second with John Hartford on the "D-R-U-N-K".
Tennessee Whiskey did not crack the country albums chart. AllMusic said "Coming on the heels of the brilliant Invictus Means Unconquered in 1980, Tennessee Whiskey from 1981 is another strong David Allan Coe outing, full of interesting song choices and hard country performances à la Merle Haggard and George Jones." [2]
All songs composed by David Allan Coe except as indicated:
David Allan Coe is an American singer and songwriter. Coe took up music after spending much of his early life in reform schools and prisons, and first became notable for busking in Nashville. He initially played mostly in the blues style, before transitioning to country music, becoming a major part of the 1970s outlaw country scene. His biggest hits include "You Never Even Called Me by My Name", "Longhaired Redneck", "The Ride", "Mona Lisa Lost Her Smile", and "She Used to Love Me a Lot".
Milton Sims "Mickey" Newbury Jr. was an American singer-songwriter and a member of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Penitentiary Blues is the debut album of American singer David Allan Coe. It was released in 1970 on SSS International Records.
The Mysterious Rhinestone Cowboy is the third album of American singer David Allan Coe, and his first on Columbia Records. Released in 1974, it is his first release in the country music genre.
Once Upon a Rhyme is the fourth studio album by American country singer David Allan Coe. It was released in 1975 on Columbia.
Longhaired Redneck is an album released by country musician David Allan Coe. It was released in 1976 on Columbia.
Rides Again is an album released by country musician David Allan Coe. It was released in 1977 on Columbia.
Texas Moon is an album recorded by country musician David Allan Coe in 1973, but not released until 1977 on Plantation Records.
Family Album is an album by country musician David Allan Coe, released in 1978 by Columbia Records.
Human Emotions is an album by country musician David Allan Coe. It was released in 1978 on Columbia.
Compass Point is an album released by country musician David Allan Coe. It was released in 1979 on Columbia.
I've Got Something to Say is an album released by country musician David Allan Coe. It was released in 1980 on Columbia. Guy Clark, Bill Anderson, Dickey Betts, Kris Kristofferson, Larry Jon Wilson, and George Jones are all featured on this album.
Invictus (Means) Unconquered is an album released by country musician David Allan Coe. It was released in 1981 on Columbia.
This is a detailed discography for American country musician David Allan Coe. He started his career in 1970 on SSS International Records before signing with Columbia Records and staying with the label for 15 years. In the 1990s, he released albums through several independent labels such as his own DAC Records. Most of these releases have been reissued under different names and/or cannibalized for various compilations. Overall, Coe's discography consists of 42 studio albums, 4 live albums, 1 collaborative studio album, and 1 audiobook, plus many compilation albums.
"Tennessee Whiskey" is a country song written by Dean Dillon and Linda Hargrove. It was originally recorded by country artist David Allan Coe for his album of the same name, peaking at number 77 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart in 1981. George Jones' 1983 version of the song was included on his album Shine On, and reached number two on the Hot Country Singles chart.
D.A.C is an album released by country musician David Allan Coe. It was released in 1982 on Columbia.
Castles in the Sand is an album released by country musician David Allan Coe. It was released in 1983 on Columbia.
Darlin', Darlin' is an album released by the country musician David Allan Coe on Columbia Records in 1985.
Son of the South is an album released by country musician David Allan Coe. It was released in 1986 on Columbia.
"Crazy Dreams" is a song first recorded by American country singer Patsy Cline. It was composed by Charles Beam, Charles L. Jiles and W.S. Stevenson. It was released as a single in 1960 and was produced by Owen Bradley. It was the last single released on Cline's contract with Four Star Records, which terminated in 1960.
