Where Is My Castle

Last updated
Where Is My Castle
Connie Smith-Where Is My castle.jpg
Studio album by
Connie Smith
ReleasedJanuary 1971
RecordedSeptember 23 – October 29, 1970
StudioRCA Victor Studios
Genre
Label RCA Victor
Producer Bob Ferguson
Connie Smith chronology
I Never Once Stopped Loving You
(1970)		Where Is My Castle
(1971)		 Just One Time
(1971)
Singles from Where Is My Castle
  1. "Where Is My Castle"
    Released: December 1970

Where Is My Castle is the fifteenth solo studio album by American country singer Connie Smith, released in January 1971 by RCA Victor. The album was described as a set of a traditional country songs and were considered to be autobiographical of Smith's life at the time. The disc's title track was released as a single in 1970 and reached the top 20 of the North American country charts. The album itself would chart in the top 40 of the American country LP's chart. Following its release, Billboard magazine gave it a positive review.

Contents

Background

Connie Smith reached the peak of her commercial success in the mid 1960s with a series of top ten country singles fueled by the eight-week number one song, "Once a Day". In 1968, Smith discovered Christianity and re-evaluated her lifestyle choices. Following this transition, her singles made the top ten with less frequency, [3] but she continued to record several times per year for her record label and remained a popular concert attraction. [4] One single of this period to miss the top ten was a 1970 top 20 recording titled "Where Is My Castle". [5] This would serve as the title to her next studio album. According to biographer Barry Mazor, Smith was emotionally-"sidelined" during the making of Where Is My Castle. Smith herself described the material she chose for the project as autobiographical of her emotions at the time: "Anybody knows, that it's cathartic to be able to sing how you feel about things." [6]

Recording and content

Smith entered the studio to record the selections for Where Is My Castle in the fall of 1970. She cut the album's material over the course of five studio sessions: September 23, September 28, October 6 and October 27. The sessions were recorded at RCA Victor Studios, located in Nashville, Tennessee and were produced by Bob Ferguson. Five overdub sessions were also recorded that featured a vocal chorus performed by four background singers. [7] The album consisted of ten tracks. [1] [8] Billboard magazine described the album as having a "traditional country flavor". [2] Songs recorded for the album featured background instrumentation from fiddle and steel guitar. [6]

Four cuts by songwriter Dallas Frazier were recorded during for the project. According to Frazier, many of the album's songs he penned for Smith were reflective of her personal life: "When you're close to people, they always influence your writing," he recounted in 2012. [6] Among the songs by Frazier was the title track, [8] which has been claimed to have been written about Smith's two failed marriages up to that point. [6] Other new recordings included Frazier's "Darling Days", "Too Good to Be True" and the Conway Twitty-penned "I'm So Used to Loving You". [8] [6]

Smith also recorded several covers for the project including Twitty's "Hello Darlin'". According to Mazor, Twitty performed the song to Smith first before releasing his own version as a single. She also covered Roger Miller's "When a House Is Not a Home" and Merle Haggard's gospel selection titled "Jesus Take a Hold". [6] Smith would end up re-recording the track for her 2021 album The Cry of the Heart and explain her reasoning for doing so to The New York Times : "It’s just as relevant today as it was back then, if not more so." [9] A second gospel song was also included titled "Clinging to a Saving Hand". [6] Another cover song Smith cut for the project was "Before I'm Over You", [8] which was originally a top five country single for Loretta Lynn. [5]

Release and reception

Where Is My Castle was released in January 1971 on the RCA Victor label. It became the seventeenth studio project released in Smith's career. The label originally released it as a vinyl LP, with five songs on each side of the record. [8] Decades later, the album was re-released for downloading and streaming through the Sony Music Entertainment label. [10] Following its original release, the album received a positive response by Billboard magazine. Reviewers described "Before I'm Over You", "Clinging to a Saving Hand" and "Hello Darlin" as "outstanding tunes". [2] Where Is My Castle spent five weeks on the American Billboard Top Country Albums chart, peaking at the number 39 position in February 1971. It was Smith's lowest-charting Billboard album up to that point in her career. [11] The title track was the only single included on the disc and was first released by RCA Victor in December 1970. [12] It spent 14 weeks on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, peaking at number 11 in March 1971. It was Smith's sixth single to reach the top 20. [13] The single also became her third to enter Canada's RPM Country chart, peaking at number 20. [14]

Track listings

Vinyl version

Side one [8]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."I'm So Used to Loving You" Conway Twitty 2:48
2."Too Good to Be True" Dallas Frazier 2:11
3."Before I'm Over You"Betty Sue Perry2:40
4."When a House Is Not a Home" Roger Miller 2:17
5."Clinging to A Saving Hand" Bill Mack 2:40
Side two [8]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Where Is My Castle"Frazier2:38
2."Darling Days"
2:58
3."Jesus Take a Hold" Merle Haggard 2:26
4."I Can't Believe That You've Stopped Loving Me"
2:54
5."Hello Darlin'"Twitty2:26

Digital version

Where Is My Castle (download and streaming) [10]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."I'm So Used to Loving You"Twitty2:51
2."Too Good to Be True"Frazier2:13
3."Before I'm Over You"Perry2:43
4."When a House Is Not a Home"Miller2:20
5."Clinging to A Saving Hand"Mack2:42
6."Where Is My Castle"Frazier2:41
7."Darling Days"
  • Frazier
  • Shafer
2:59
8."Jesus Take a Hold"Haggard2:30
9."I Can't Believe That You've Stopped Loving Me"
  • Frazier
  • Owens
2:57
10."Hello Darlin'"Twitty2:29

Personnel

All credits are adapted from the liner notes of Where Is My Castle [8] and the biography booklet by Barry Mazor titled Just for What I Am. [7]

Chart performance

Chart (1971)Peak
position
US Top Country Albums (Billboard) [15] 39

Release history

RegionDateFormatLabelRef.
North AmericaJanuary 1971VinylRCA Victor [8]
RCA International [16]
United KingdomRCA Victor [17]
North America2010s
  • Music download
  • streaming
 Sony Music Entertainment [10]

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>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>Sunshine and Rain</i> 1968 studio album by Connie Smith

Sunshine and Rain is the eleventh studio album by American country singer Connie Smith, released in October 1968 by RCA Victor. Sunshine and Rain featured an assortment of both new material and covers of songs by other country artists. The album reached the top 40 of the American country albums chart and received a favorable review from Billboard magazine following its release.

<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>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>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>Aint We Havin Us a Good Time</i> 1972 studio album by Connie Smith

Ain't We Havin' Us a Good Time is the eighteenth solo studio album by American country singer Connie Smith, released in April 1972 by RCA Victor. The album contained ten tracks which were considered to have a "thicker seventies" sound, according to one biographer. Included on the album was Smith's single, "Just for What I Am". It became a top five single on the North American country songs chart while the album itself reached the American country LP's top 25. Ain't We Havin' Us a Good Time received a favorable review from Billboard magazine following its release.

<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>Love Is the Look Youre Looking For</i> 1973 compilation album by Connie Smith

Love Is the Look You're Looking for is a compilation album by American country singer Connie Smith, released in February 1973 by RCA Victor. It was Smith's third compilation released by RCA Victor and mostly included previously-recorded material. The album was named for the title track, which became a top ten single on the North American country singles charts. The album itself would chart on the American country LP's chart in 1973.

<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.

<i>Connie Smith Now</i> 1974 compilation album by Connie Smith

Connie Smith Now is a compilation album by American country singer Connie Smith, released in July 1974. The album was one of several compilations released after Smith departed RCA Victor. The album's material was previously released, including the singles, "Louisiana Man" and "I'm Sorry If My Love Got in Your Way". The album charted on the American country LP's chart and received a review from Billboard magazine following its release.

<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>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>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.

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

The albums discography of Connie Smith, an American country artist, consists of 40 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.

References

Footnotes

  1. 1 2 "Where Is My Castle: Connie Smith: Songs, reviews, credits". AllMusic . Retrieved 17 May 2022.
  2. 1 2 3 "Billboard Album Reviews". Billboard . Vol. 83, no. 5. January 30, 1971. p. 45. Retrieved 17 May 2022.
  3. ↑ Bush, John. "Connie Smith Biography". AllMusic . Retrieved 17 May 2022.
  4. ↑ Mazor 2012, p. 7.
  5. 1 2 Whitburn, Joel (2008). Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2008. Record Research, Inc. pp. 387–388. ISBN   978-0-89820-177-2.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Mazor 2012, p. 37.
  7. 1 2 Mazor 2012, p. 63.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Smith, Connie (January 1971). "Where Is My Castle (LP Liner Notes and Album Information)". RCA Victor . LSP-4474.
  9. ↑ Osmon, Erin (August 19, 2021). "54 Albums Later, Connie Smith's Defiant Heart Has Plenty to Say". The New York Times . Retrieved 18 May 2022.
  10. 1 2 3 "Where Is My Castle by Connie Smith". Apple Music . Retrieved 18 May 2022.
  11. ↑ "Connie Smith chart history (Country Albums)". Billboard . Retrieved 18 May 2022.
  12. ↑ Smith, Connie (December 1970). ""Where Is My Castle"/"Clinging to a Saving Hand" (7" vinyl single)". RCA Victor . 47-9938.
  13. ↑ "Connie Smith chart history (Country Songs)". Billboard . Retrieved 18 May 2022.
  14. ↑ "Search results for "Connie Smith"". RPM . Archived from the original on 2014-11-29. Retrieved 2009-07-31.
  15. ↑ "Connie Smith Chart History (Top Country Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved May 18, 2022.
  16. ↑ Smith, Connie (January 1971). "Where Is My Castle (LP Liner Notes and Album Information)". RCA International . INTS-1272.
  17. ↑ Smith, Connie (January 1971). "Where Is My Castle (LP Liner Notes and Album Information)". RCA Victor . LSA-3042.

Books

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.