Posted by Tom Croteau on November 18, 2014, 4:55 pm
I have accumulated only a few Jim Reeves Tribute albums over the years, my favorites being the Ronnie Milsap (Out Where the Bright Lights Are Glowing) album, Faron Young's Tribute to Jim, and even Charley Pride's. I'm wondering who some of you would like to see do a CD of Jim's songs? If I could choose, the two who first come to mind are Don Williams and George Strait. It's trivial, I know, but it might be fun to wish! :-)
I completely agree about the Ronnie Milsap album. The first track in particular, 'Out Where The Bright Lights Are Glowing' is really outstanding!
I wonder what Elton John could come up with? He sang Jim's songs in the early part of his career.
In a slightly different vein, the UK's Paul Wheater recorded an album some years ago called 'To My Loved Ones' which features songs Jim might have recorded (including 'Im A Hit Again' which of course he made a demo of which later surfaced courtesy of VM, I'm glad to say).
One of the songs is a Cindy Walker composition called 'You Don't Know Me' Jim could have made a fantastic recording of this!
Altogether the album is one of my very favourites and comes highly recommended.
Tony does a very nice tribute to Jim and always has. I own his latest and enjoy it very much.
I can't say the same for a lot of the people who have been touring this year doing Reeves tributes around the world. Some of them are AWFUL. Then when I read reviews about how great they are and how they supposedly sound just like Jim (!), I think the reviewers simply have never heard the real Jim Reeves.
Arne Benoni also does a fine tribute to Jim, and of course Daniel O'Donnell incorporates Reeves songs in his shows, as does John Rex Reeves. I think it's wonderful when talented people do Jim's material, (it's a nice way to honor him and keep his memory alive), but I cringe when I hear the bad ones -- and realize they are duping fans by doing "tributes" that often include wrong information about our favorite singer.
I could say the same thing about the multitude of Patsy Cline acts. Mandy Barnett does well but she still sounds like Mandy, not Patsy. Those of you who own the CD, "The Divine Ms. Cline," have probably read the multi-page booklet in which I define, from a technical standpoint, some of Patsy's unique vocal techniques. She had a whole bag full of them. It SOUNDS deceptively simple, but believe me, it's NOT. Patsy was uniquely gifted and that's why none of these other singers can ever really sound like her; there are always missing elements they can't master.
TRUE ORIGINALS in any field are to be honored and celebrated. We've heard some great ones over the years but the current crop of singers all sound alike to me. I can't tell one from another...just whether they are male or female.
I could kick myself for forgetting to mention Mandy Barnett. I agree with Larry, she does one of the best Patsy Cline imitations, but she's still Mandy. I do have several of her CDs, most the most recent being the Don Gibson Tribute album she did, which is quite wonderful. I think I would really like to hear her cover some of Jim's songs.