The Songs of Wynn Stewart

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The Songs of Wynn Stewart
Wynn Stewart--The Songs of.jpg
Studio album by
ReleasedSeptember 1965 (1965-09)
Recorded1964–1965
Studio Capitol (Hollywood)
Genre
Label Capitol
Producer Ken Nelson
Wynn Stewart chronology
Sweethearts of Country Music
(1960)
The Songs of Wynn Stewart
(1965)
It's Such a Pretty World Today
(1967)
Singles from The Songs of Wynn Stewart
  1. "Half of This, Half of That"
    Released: September 1964
  2. "Sha-Marie"
    Released: April 1965

The Songs of Wynn Stewart is a studio album by American country artist Wynn Stewart. It was released in September 1965 via Capitol Records and was produced by Ken Nelson. The project was Stewart's debut studio recording in his career after nearly a decade prior hits behind him. The album marked Stewart's return to the Capitol label, where he began his recording career in 1956 and left shortly thereafter. Stewart would issued several more studio albums at the label over the next several years.

Contents

Background and content

The Songs of Wynn Stewart was Stewart's first recording sessions with Capitol Records since the mid 1950s. He had his first hit with the label in 1956 called "Waltz of the Angels." Yet, none of his follow-up singles became hits and left the company. However, after a series of setbacks, he re-signed with Capitol in 1964. [2] The songs recorded for this project came from his first new sessions with Capitol between 1964 and 1965. The sessions took place in Hollywood, California at the Capitol Recording Studio. They were produced by Ken Nelson, whom Stewart had first worked with in the 1950s. Nelson would remain with him during his time at Capitol. [3] The album was a collection of 12 tracks which were recorded in the Bakersfield Sound style. Seven of the album's tracks were written (or co-written) by Stewart himself. [1] This included the single "Half of This, Half of That," as well as "You Took Her Off My Hands," "Money Talks" and "Sing a Sad Song." Stewart co-wrote these tracks with established songwriters including Harlan Howard and Skeets McDonald. [3]

Release and reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Billboard Favorable

The Songs of Wynn Stewart was released in September 1965 via Capitol Records. It was his debut studio album in his recording career, despite previous compilation released and several hit singles. [3] The project was released as a vinyl LP, containing six songs on each side of the record. [4] The album did not reach any chart positions on Billboard upon its release, including the Top Country Albums chart. [5] The album was reviewed favorably by Billboard upon its original release. "Wynn Stewart has come up with an excellent package with a lot of the material written by himself--for his first Capitol Records album," writers commented. Writers also highlighted his self-composed track "You Took Her Off My Hands" as a notable highlights. [6]

The Songs of Wynn Stewart spawned two singles released between 1964 and 1965. The first was "Half of This, Half of That," which was issued as a single in September 1964. [7] The song spent a total of 15 weeks on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart and became a top 40 hit, climbing to number 30 in December. [8] "Sha-Marie" was spawned as the album's second single in April 1964. However, the song failed to chart any Billboard song publications. [7]

Track listing

Side one [4]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Half of This, Half of That"
2:20
2."You Kiss Like You're Waving Goodbye"
  • Buddy Cagle
  • Stewart
2:15
3."My Rosalie"Hap Lowell2:33
4."Money Talks"
  • Curtis Leach
  • Stewart
2:31
5."You Took Her Off My Hands"
2:32
6."Sha-Marie"
  • Bozo Darnell
  • Ben Hall
2:30
Side two [4]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Does He Love You Like I Do"
2:19
2."Happy Crazy"
  • Stewart
  • Vern Stovall
2:32
3."The Happy Part of Town" Danny Dill 2:39
4."I Can Take It or Leave It"
  • Leach
  • Stewart
2:09
5."Sing a Sad Song"Stewart2:36
6."Do Die"1:50

Personnel

All credits are adapted from the liner notes of The Songs of Wynn Stewart. [3]

Musical personnel

Technical personnel

Release history

RegionDateFormatLabelRef.
United Kingdom1966Vinyl Capitol [9]
United StatesSeptember 1965 [4] [1]
United Kingdom1986Stetson Records [10]

Related Research Articles

"Sing a Sad Song" is a song written by Wynn Stewart. It was recorded notably by Merle Haggard in 1963, whose version became his first major hit. It was later recorded by Stewart himself. In 1976, Stewart's own version became a major hit as well.

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The discography of American country artist Wynn Stewart contains 11 studio albums, nine compilation albums, 50 singles and one charting B-side single. Stewart signed his first recording contract in 1954, releasing his debut single, "I've Waited a Lifetime." He then briefly signed with Capitol Records, where he had his first charting single with "Waltz of the Angels." The song was a major hit, reaching number 14 on the Billboard Hot Country and Western Sides chart in 1956. His follow-up singles to the hit were not a commercial success and Stewart left Capitol. Stewart then signed with Challenge Records where he adapted a new country style. In 1959, his single "Wishful Thinking" became a major hit. The song was his first to reach the top ten on the country chart, peaking at number five in March 1960. Also in 1960, his duet with Jan Howard became a minor charting single. By December 1961, "Big, Big Love" became his third major hit, climbing to number 18 on the Billboard country chart.

"Big, Big Love" is a song written and recorded by American country artist Wynn Stewart. It was released as a single in 1961 and became a major hit the same year.

<i>Its Such a Pretty World Today</i> (album) 1967 studio album by Wynn Stewart

It's Such a Pretty World Today is a studio album by American country artist Wynn Stewart. It was released in April 1967 via Capitol Records and was produced by Ken Nelson. It was Stewart's second studio release in his recording career and contained 12 tracks. The album's name was derived from its title track, which became a number one hit in 1967. Although not written by Stewart, other songs on the album were self-composed and contained new material that was previously unreleased. The album reached charting positions on the Billboard surveys as well.

Cause I Have You 1967 single by Wynn Stewart

"'Cause I Have You" is a song written and recorded by American country artist Wynn Stewart. It was released as a single in 1967 and became a major hit the same year.

Loves Gonna Happen to Me 1967 single by Wynn Stewart and the Tourists

"Love's Gonna Happen to Me" is a song written by Jim Stewart and recorded by American country artist Wynn Stewart. It was released as a single in 1967 and became a major hit early the next year.

Something Pretty 1968 single by Wynn Stewart and the Tourists

"Something Pretty" is a song written by Buddy Wayne and Charlie Williams. It was recorded by American country artist Wynn Stewart. It was released as a single in 1968 and became a major hit that same year.

In Love (Wynn Stewart song) 1968 single by Wynn Stewart and the Tourists

"In Love" is a song written by Bobby George. It was recorded by American country artist Wynn Stewart. It was released as a single in 1968 and became a major hit that same year.

"Let the Whole World Sing It with Me" is a song written by Dale Noe. It was recorded by American country artist Wynn Stewart. It was released as a single in 1969 and became a major hit that same year.

"World-Wide Travelin' Man" is a song written by Vern Stovall. It was recorded by American country artist Wynn Stewart. It was released as a single in 1969 and became a major hit that same year.

"It's a Beautiful Day" is a song written by Tracy Pendarvis. It was recorded by American country artist Wynn Stewart. It was released as a single in 1970 and became a major hit that same year.

<i>Loves Gonna Happen to Me</i> (album) 1967 studio album by Wynn Stewart and the Tourists

Love's Gonna Happen to Me is a studio album by American country artist Wynn Stewart. His backing band, "The Tourists," received equal billing on the album release. It was released in November 1967 via Capitol Records and was produced by Ken Nelson. It was Stewart's third studio album in his career and was the second album release of 1967. The album's title track became a major hit in 1967 during the same period of the record's release.

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"After the Storm" is a song written by Dale. It was recorded by American country artist Wynn Stewart. It was released as a single in 1976 and became a major hit that same year. "After the Storm" was Stewart's first major hit in five years and returned him to the national charts after several unsuccessful singles. It spawned the release of a new studio album as well as additional singles following its release.

<i>Something Pretty</i> (album) 1968 studio album by Wynn Stewart and The Tourists

Something Pretty is a studio album by American country artist Wynn Stewart and his band, The Tourists. It was released in May 1968 via Capitol Records and was produced by Ken Nelson. It was Stewart's fourth studio recording in his music career and contained a total of 12 tracks. Among these tracks was the title cut, which became a major hit on the country charts. The album received a positive response from music publications.

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In Love is a studio album by American country artist Wynn Stewart and his backing band, The Tourists. It was released in November 1968 via Capitol Records and was produced by Ken Nelson. In Love was Stewart's fifth studio release in his recording career and consisted of 11 tracks. The album's title track became a major hit during the same time in both the United States and Canada.

<i>Let the Whole World Sing It with Me</i> (album) 1969 studio album by Wynn Stewart and The Tourists

Let the Whole World Sing It with Me is a studio album by American country artist Wynn Stewart. His band, The Tourists, received equal credit on the billing as well. It was released in March 1969 via Capitol Records and was produced by Ken Nelson. It was Stewart's sixth studio album in his music career and spawned a total of three singles. Two of these singles became hits on the Billboard country chart.

<i>Wanda Jackson Sings Country Songs</i> 1965 studio album by Wanda Jackson

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References

  1. 1 2 3 "The Songs of Wynn Stewart: Wynn Stewart: Songs, Reviews, Credits". Allmusic . Retrieved August 5, 2020.
  2. Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Wynn Stewart: Biography & History". Allmusic . Retrieved August 5, 2020.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Stewart, Wynn (September 1965). "The Songs of Wynn Stewart (Album Information and Liner Notes)". Capitol Records .
  4. 1 2 3 4 "Wynn Stewart – The Songs of Wynn Stewart (1965, Vinyl)". Discogs . Retrieved August 5, 2020.
  5. Whitburn, Joel (1997). Joel Whitburn's Top Country Albums: 1967–1997. Record Research Inc. ISBN   0898201241.
  6. "Album Reviews: Country Spotlight". Billboard . Vol. 77 no. 43. October 23, 1965. p. 60. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
  7. 1 2 Whitburn, Joel (2008). Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2008. Record Research, Inc. ISBN   978-0-89820-177-2.
  8. ""Half of This, Half of That" chart history". Billboard . Retrieved August 5, 2020.
  9. "Wynn Stewart – The Songs of Wynn Stewart (1966, Vinyl)". Discogs . Retrieved August 5, 2020.
  10. "Wynn Stewart – The Songs of Wynn Stewart (1986, Vinyl)". Discogs . Retrieved August 5, 2020.