I have always enjoyed Jim's later recordings. My favorites are from 1957-1964. When he sang low and slow, he was the best. I really prefer the songs that feature The Anita Kerr singers. In my opinion, The Jordonaires were not a good fit for Jim. The records he made with them, sound muddy to me because The Jordonaires were so close in range with Jim. When he added the Kerr singers, they highlighted his voice and made it stand out.


As for the Abbott recordings, I really see no need to re-release them. They have been in the public for almost 60 years now, and there couldnt be anything new about them. I personally never cared for them as they were to brassy for my taste. Just my opinion. NOT trying to change anyones mind. Just like Patsy Cline, her early stuff is terrible to me.She was brassy just like Jim was at Abbott.

On another subject, I never have liked the term "Nashville Sound". It still sounds hillbillyish to me. I like the term "Countrypolitan". Its always sounded more urbane to me. But whatever you call it, it saved Country Music. Although a few Singers got hurt by it, the majority prospered from it. And to be honest, the hard country singers at the time that didn't changed still did quite well. Johnny Horton, Ray Price, Webb Peirce, Ernest Tubb, and even Kitty Wells stayed very popular until they decided to mellow their sounds much later. But like most eras, they come to an end when tastes change. I personally think that we are just about there right now. This junk they call country music now, needs a new Jim Reeves to smooth the sound out again. Because I think most of the crap thats on the radio is getting pretty tired. Again, these are just my opinions.....


I will order Larrys new 50th anniversary set as soon as I can. From the discription, it sounds wonderful, and I can wait. New overdubs, new music, and the booklet. Now thats a fitting tribute to our Favorite Singer, Jim Reeves!