The budget labels weren’t to be outdone, and the Stereo Gold Award label brought out an LP of Jim’s big hits sung by ‘Big Burley’. The cover says nothing about him personally, and I can’t trace him elsewhere so I suspect this was just a name given to a session singer. Interestingly two of the songs weren’t recorded by Jim – ‘Best Friend A Bar Ever Had’ and ‘Greeting Cards’. They aren’t bad either. Big Burley could carry a tune and his voice is pleasant enough though nothing like Jim (who could be?). There is just a hint of an American accent, but is it authentic? The LP was made in England but the cover states it’s ‘A Damil USA Production’.
Bill Quinn brought out two tribute albums, both on the Hallmark label. The sleeve notes state that he is an Irishman, guitarist and accordionist, who started performing at the age of 12. His voice, though not deep, is soft and pleasant.
Tom McClure brought out a record on the Music For Pleasure label and the sleeve says nothing about him personally and I can find nothing. The record itself was manufactured in the USA and is entirely unremarkable. Interestingly one of the tracks, ‘Make The World Go Away’ is shown to be sung by Ray Merrell. Again nothing is said of him.
‘Bert Weedon Remembers Jim Reeves’ is completely different as it is purely instrumental; manufactured in England and on the Contour’ label. Herbert Maurice William Weedon was classically trained and the first British Artist to have a hit single in the UK charts. He was a very pleasant man and his unique (for the time) style influenced many top artists. He also played session guitar for many big bands. He was noted for writing an electric guitar tutorial that was devoured by many worldwide artists, helping them on their way to success.
The most unusual tribute album in my collection is ‘Jim Reeves, We Thank Thee’ performed by the Rhos Male Voice Choir. It is a very famous choir that was first formed as long ago as 1891 near Wrexham in Wales. The sleeve contains liner notes attributed to Mary Reeves, with a photo of her. She refers to the Welsh Male Voice Choir as ‘a tradition and a way of life, as Country Music is in the USA’. The secretary of the choir, in 2022, kindly told me that a man who was just starting a record label had arranged 12 of Jim’s biggest hits and asked them to learn them and record. The choir received permission from Mary to use the songs, and recording was made in a local school hall. The recording was then sent to London where more instruments were added. Released in 1978 on the Decca label it was a commercial success, and they were asked to make a follow-up, but the conductor at the time wanted to do other things.
The recording they produced is utterly charming in its own way, and is as different from Jim’s own style as it could possibly be.
I hope this helps.
Martin.
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