Does anyone know when Jim Recorded The Witings On The Wall is is a beautiful song and I don't know whay it did see the light of day while Jim was still alive!
Hi,Duke. "The Writing's On The Wall" was recorded by Jim as a demo, I believe sometime in the early 60's. It was first released on the album "My Friend" in 1972 and also as a single with "You're Free To Go" as the B side. The song had extra music overdubbed onto the demo for record release. The original demo is included on the big 16-CD Bear Family box set. Yes, this is a really good recording by Jim, and it should have been released as a single during Jim's lifetime. His wife Mary had many unreleased studio and demo recordings that she released a few at a time on compilation albums throughout the years after Jim's passing...
Jim's song "The Writing's On The Wall" has always been in the top 10 for me. It is really difficult to believe it was never overdubbed from the demo and released during his life time.
Mike, I think you are close to the original recording date. I think it was in 1961. According to Larry's book, Jim Reeves-His Untold Story" page 541 discusses this song and mentions that Jim went to Starday on Feb. 23rd to record the demo.
Also discussed on the same page is the revelation that Alex Zanetis may never have written this song or others that Jim recorded. Larry points out evidence from Ray Baker and Bud Logan that suggests Alex simply bought these songs from other writers.
Drake, you may want to go to YouTube and check out "The Writing's On The wall...with intro". Larry discusses this 'live mike' chatter that is quite interesting (showing Jim's human side) and can be heard on this particular version. As far as having a falling out between Jim and Alex, I seem to remember it had to do with a business deal gone wrong. And I think that Jim did, at least for a while, refuse to record any of Alexs' songs, or at least the ones he claimed to author.....
on December 18, 2021, 8:23 pm