More thoughts on "The Great Jim Reeves" 8-CD set...
Posted by Mike Slater on June 28, 2014, 12:21 am
This set is just wonderful! Every new overdub is fantastic! I like that the songs originally released on Jim's "Songs To Warm The Heart" LP now have Jim's voice centered, as it should have been. The original versions had Jim's voice only on the left channel. The improvement in sound on these songs put the originals to shame. I also think that one of the new overdubs here could possibly be the best overdubbed Jim Reeves recording to date -- "Scarlett Ribbons". This was a recording by Jim that I always liked a lot, although it was never one of my very favorites. This new overdub, however, really gives the song a completely different sound and appeal, and although the original with just the guitar backing was nice, the new, fuller backing really makes me like the song even more than I did before! In fact, it brought tears to my eyes, it was so beautiful. With respect,Larry, there is one song on the set that I didn't agree with you on. You said in the booklet that there was an annoying guitar part on "That Silver-Haired Daddy Of Mine" that you removed here. I thought that guitar part was beautiful, and I don't think it interfered with Jim's voice on the song at all. Still, I have to say I like this stripped down version too. It's still great to hear these recordings presented in a different way from the original. The same could be said for "The Mighty Everglades". You can hear Jim much better on the beginning and the ending without the echo and the extra voices. This is a great set from beginning to end, and if you're a true Jim Reeves fan, then you shouldn't be without it!
Re: More thoughts on "The Great Jim Reeves" 8-CD set...
With regard to "Silver Haired Daddy," the biggest issue was to clarify Jim's voice so you could hear him better and that guitar part distracted from it, IMHO.
So I filled the space with two new rhythm guitar lines that were rhythmically supportive whereas the previous guitar part had been much more prominent, and you really hear Reeves better now. That's been my objective all along.
I hated the double tracking on Jim's voice on "The Mighty Everglades" because I felt it interfered with the purity of his beautiful singing. I also didn't like the choral backing that echoed some of his phrases. So I got rid of it and simplified the arrangement. Jim's wonderful performance emerges more clearly.
It's funny how most artists who do "Scarlet Ribbons" sing to a cliche arrangement -- typically just guitar. But I heard the Lennon Sisters years ago sing that song to a Lawrence Welk arrangement that was gorgeous. That's what gave me the idea.
So we have a lush string section and a flutist that accents here and there. It is an arrangement by Danny Crawford that should win an award; it is as delicate as fine crystal. It never overpowers Jim's voice, but provides the lilting, emotion-laden backing for Reeves' compelling and very rich vocal.
Let's let the fans who have not yet heard this overdub listen to an excerpt from it. Just click the link below...
Thanks for your reply, Larry. Thanks for shedding more light on your new versions of "Silver-Haired Daddy" and "The Mighty Everglades". I hope you didn't misunderstand me-- I loved both of these on the new set. As for "Scarlet Ribbons", I'm glad you saw that Lennon Sisters performance and came up with the idea to give Jim's version a similar treatment! That was a good idea to include a sample of it here. For those who haven't heard this incredible overdub yet, you don't know what you're missing! This song alone is worth the price of the entire set!---but that's certainly not all you'll get here! Every new overdub is a winner, and you'll hear Jim's incredible voice like you've never heard it before! This set is a dream come true and a must have for anyone who loves Jim Reeves!
Re: More thoughts on "The Great Jim Reeves" 8-CD set...
I just listened to "Scarlet Ribbons" from "The Great Jim Reeves" for the first time. I agree with Mike. I think it is a much better version than I have ever heard before. Love the orchestra, and the arrangement.