JIM REEVES FAN FORUM

Instrumental Music

Posted by Robert Wagner User icon on October 29, 2025, 4:57 pm

In a previous post "A Little Good News", I mentioned how some songs moved us emotionally.

I stated that Jim's "Men With Broken Hearts" fit the bill among others. I neglected to say that "Amazing Grace" by 101 Strings was also very moving.

That reminded me of the "Living Strings" LP CAS-2216 "Songs Made Famous by Jim Reeves" Instrumental Album.

I recommend it highly. I managed to get a couple on EBay, one still unopened in shrink wrap, a few years ago. Some are still listed there.

Since it is only available in vinyl, you have to use one of those turntables that convert vinyl to MP3 for sharing.

The songs from the album are on YouTube for evaluation if one is inclined to research them.

Bob

Re: Instrumental Music

Posted by Mike Slater User icon on October 29, 2025, 5:39 pm, in reply to "Instrumental Music "

Bob, I'm very interested in hearing those instrumentals. I'll look them up on you tube and let you know what I think. Would also like to look up Anne Murray's "A Little Good News". I remember it's a really nice song, but forget how it goes. Haven't heard it in quite a while...

Re: Instrumental Music

Posted by Robert Wagner User icon on October 30, 2025, 4:24 am, in reply to "Re: Instrumental Music "

Just checked Ebay to see how many 'Living Strings" "Songs Made Famous by Jim Reeves LP's were being offered. There were twelve listed.

You learn something new every day. Also listed were LP's of Kitty Wells singing "Songs Made Famous by Jim Reeves.

Another new one to me, I was unaware of. Will check YouTube to see if they are posted.

Curious.

Re: Instrumental Music

Posted by Robert Wagner User icon on October 30, 2025, 5:34 am, in reply to "Re: Instrumental Music "

Just listened to the Kitty Wells tribute to Jim Reeves Album.

No disrespect intended, but I don't think she has captured the essence of Jim's voice or songs. I think the songs NEED a Baritone voice. It is not an album I intend to obtain.

However one commenter on her "This is It" posting was grateful that Kitty Wells was a Jim Reeves Fan and listed some artists that did tributes or recognised Jim in other ways.

A small list of tributes include the following artists:
Faron Young, Charlie Pride, Daniel O'Donnell, Anita Kerr Singers, Elton John, Charlie Rich, Sissel Kyrkjebo Norwegian Soprano, and Ronnie Milsap.

Milsap's Album, and song "Out Where the Bright Lights are Glowing" is especially on target.

I'm sure I missed someone. Sorry.

The hits just keep on coming.

Bob

Re: Instrumental Music

Posted by Martin Rolls User icon on October 31, 2025, 6:02 am, in reply to "Re: Instrumental Music "

I have listened to a large number of Jim Reeves tribute albums and for me the one by Ronnie Milsap is by far the best.

He doesn't try to sound like Jim in any way. Who could? His presentation is entirely different. His special contributions "Out Where The Bright Lights Are Glowing" and "Dear Friend" just ooze sincerity.

You need to listen to it to appreciate what he has done. I am very glad to have his LP in my collection.

Best regards to everyone out there.

Martin.

Re: Instrumental Music

Posted by Robert Wagner User icon on October 31, 2025, 7:35 am, in reply to "Re: Instrumental Music "

I couldn't agree more.

It is available for download on Itunes for $9.99.

It doesn't have high ratings but that is because is is kind of a niche item.

It is excellent.

Re: Instrumental Music

Posted by Robert Wagner User icon on October 31, 2025, 6:11 pm, in reply to "Instrumental Music "

I am in error.

Living Strings "Songs Made Famous by Jim Reeves" is available on ITunes.

Don't have to worry about scratched LP's.

Re: Instrumental Music

Posted by Roy Zinck User icon on October 31, 2025, 6:18 pm, in reply to "Re: Instrumental Music "

There are a surprising number of singers who have tribute albums to Jim as pointed out by Bob.

I would like to add one more if I may.

The Norwegian singer Arne Benoni has released albums featuring Jim Reeves, his musical hero. Benoni has a rich baritone voice and has performed with Jim's former backing band members the Blue Boys.

Jim had a strong connection to Norway during his lifetime. His 1964 hit "I Love You Because" topped the charts in Norway for 13 weeks. That same year, just months before Jim's death, he performed in a now famous show in Oslo.

Re: Instrumental Music

Posted by Robert Wagner User icon on November 1, 2025, 2:22 am, in reply to "Re: Instrumental Music "

Spot on!

After I made my posting, I knew there was someone missing.

I remembered Arne Benoni, but didn't repost it.

I'm glad you read my submission and helped to make it more complete.

I think we've acknowledged a fairly complete tribute listing.

I also want to state that Ronnie Milsap's "Out Where the Bright Lights are Glowing", pretty much describes how all of us came to be Jim Reeves Fans.

Lyrics are pretty uncanny. We never met Jim, but developed an unusual, and strong bond, through his voice and music.

It has never happened with any other artist for me.

Bob

Re: Instrumental Music

Posted by Martin Rolls User icon on November 1, 2025, 6:32 am, in reply to "Re: Instrumental Music "

I full agree with Bob. This was just my experience.

Martin

Re: Instrumental Music

Posted by Robert Wagner User icon on November 1, 2025, 7:02 am, in reply to "Re: Instrumental Music "

I'm going to quit now because we have named almost all "well known" artists doing Jim Reeves Tributes.

Before I quit I can't believe I completely forgot Al Grant, from Northern England I believe, who released a "2 DISK" set called "The Jim Reeves
Story"

Grant also does a tear jerker, I can identify with, called "Grandpa's Little Girl"

I'll stop now.

Thanks for reading and commenting on my posts

Bob

Re: Instrumental Music

Posted by Robert Wagner User icon on November 1, 2025, 10:21 am, in reply to "Re: Instrumental Music "

I lied, but not intentionally.

I missed two CD's that should be included in the tributes category,

1. "The Jim Reeves Connection" put out by Bear Family Records, who also sold the Jim Reeves BIG Box Set, which I paid big bucks for. (worth it)

The Connection is listed for $23.94 FYI.

Three tracks of note are 1. "Gentleman Jim" done by Charlie Rich, and 2. The same song done by Faron Young. (I like both renditions).
Number #3. is "I saw Jim Reeves Up There" by Eddie Clatterbuck. I never heard of him or the song before which I think will appeal to all of us addicts.

Lastly there is the CD "Jim Reeves Hits in Deutsch, also distributed by Bear Family Records.

The CD contains prominent German artists singing Jim Reeves songs in German. I got it out of curiosity to compare with Jim's South African recordings.

30 Tracks, some are real good in my view. (Don't understand a word)

The actual title of the CD is "Komm' In Meine Welt-Die Legende Von Jim Reeves".

Now I am truly finished posting on this subject.

Bob

Re: Instrumental Music

Posted by Mike Slater User icon on November 2, 2025, 2:18 pm, in reply to "Re: Instrumental Music "

Did anyone mention the Faron Young album "Faron Young Sings The Best Of Jim Reeves" released in 1966? Great album. The tribute song "Gentleman Jim" is very touching and beautiful. This song is also available on "The Jim Reeves Connection", which was already mentioned here...

Re: Instrumental Music

Posted by Robert Wagner User icon on November 2, 2025, 4:46 pm, in reply to "Re: Instrumental Music "

Just checked my stash and although the album cover looks familiar the only Faron Young song I have is "Hello Walls".

Listened to the album on YouTube. It is really good.

Checked the internet and it is only available in
LP.

Might get one, but will have to reconnect a turntable that creates MP3's.

Faron did a really good job, and though songs are a little different from the way Jim sings them they are really nicely done.

Thanks for the tip.
Bob

Re: Instrumental Music

Posted by Mike Slater User icon on November 3, 2025, 5:58 am, in reply to "Re: Instrumental Music "

Bob, glad you liked the Faron Young album and the Anne Murray song. I don't have the Faron Young album, but I heard it back when my mom,who was a huge Jim Reeves fought it when it first came out in 1966. I grew up appreciating Jim and his music because my mom was always playing his records. She took me to see "Kimberley Jim" when it came out here in America in 1965. It was a double feature along with the Warren Beatty film "Promise Her Anything". I was only 13 years old, but I was already a big fan of Jim's. I remember my mom glued to the radio when it was reported Jim's plane was missing. She hoped that him and Dean would be found alive. After Jim's death, my mom cried for years everytime she played one of his records...

Re: Instrumental Music

Posted by Robert Wagner User icon on November 6, 2025, 8:02 am, in reply to "Re: Instrumental Music "

Mike,

We are the same vintage as I was about 14 years old the same time you talk about in 1965.

I'm not sure I was a fan at that time, but definitely shortly after. My memory is not as clear as yours, but I have two VERY vague memories. They are so vague I am not sure of their accuracy.

One memory is being at my sister's apartment setting up her new stereo, and watching nationwide news on TV about Jim being missing and the crash.

The other vague memory I have is watching daytime television and seeing an unknown show that was showing how songs were sung in foreign languages by using an easel with the words spelled out phonetically for the artist to follow. They had the easel in the background with the phonetic spellings visible, but I don't remember the singer involved or if it was Jim.

Both memories are so vague I cannot certify as to their accuracy. Maybe someone here has more info, as sometimes happens on this site.

Re: Instrumental Music

Posted by Robert Wagner User icon on November 6, 2025, 9:56 am, in reply to "Re: Instrumental Music "

FYI I got the Faron Young Album new and sealed on Ebay. Thanks for the tip.
Bob

Re: Instrumental Music

Posted by Mike Slater User icon on November 7, 2025, 11:10 am, in reply to "Re: Instrumental Music "

Hope you enjoy the album, Bob. Glad I gave you that info. I can't get it because I don't have a turntable. I only buy CD's and I don't think this one ever came out on CD. Enjoyed your story too. If you remember anymore details, let me know...

Re: Instrumental Music

Posted by Robert Wagner User icon on November 8, 2025, 6:31 am, in reply to "Re: Instrumental Music "

I remember there was a two or more year period when vinyl records bit the dust and CD's had not come to the fore. I really did not listen to Jim or others for a long period of time.

Then the Bear Box set of Jim came out and I was back in the saddle.

I am CD only as well but There were a couple albums I really liked, like the Living Strings "Songs Made Famous by Jim Reeves, and the song "Dark End of the Street" by Archie Campbell and Lorene Mann on their "Tell it Like it is" album.

So I got a Vinyl to MP3 turntable. They are very reasonable price wise today, and are easy to operate. I am not computer savvy. The turntable creates an MP3 file on the computer and you can burn CD's from the computer file.

Will do that with the Faron Young Album, once I pull out the turntable which has been in storage for a long time.

I got a kick out of the "Dark End of the Street" song and sing it with my grandkids changing from the male to female parts going from low to high pitch. Kind of fun.

Now all is available on Itunes without extra work.

Bob

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