'I heard the mournful sobbing of the wind in the Pine

I felt the cold icy fingers of fear on my spine'

I think this is one of his most dramatic songs which always paints a picture in my mind of that cold, wet, stormy and sad night. Description written by a blind man may have something to do with it!
The Overdub version, I think adds to the drama.

Very dramatic lyrics indeed Peter and thank you for pointing out just how important Leon Payne as a song writer would become.

Jim recorded three other songs written by Leon Payne, as most will know here on the Forum. "I Love You Because" written by Payne in 1949, and recorded by Jim in 1963. It was only released posthumously as a single in late 1964.

"Blue Side of Lonesome", another hit by Jim written by Leon recorded in 1962. Sadly released in 1966, two years after Jim's death.

It's Nothing to Me" Jim recording this on Oct. 5th, 1960. On checking further I found it was written under Payne's aliases...using the name of Pat Peterson. No idea how long Payne used this name or indeed why. All part of marketing strategy I would assume.

Leon Payne ... Born June 15/1917. Died at the age of 52 on Sept. 11/1969. A very talented song writer. Someone that personified achievement thru blindness from age of 7. He will always be missed.

I agree, Peter. Was just listening to "I Heard A Heartbreak Last Night" yesterday. And I agree about the overdub. Like this version the best. And thanks, Roy for the info on Leon Payne. Great
songwriter!...

Hi Roy.
In Britain "I love You Because" had been released in early 1964 and had been very high in the Top20. It was on its way down and had had a long run when Jim was killed. "I Won't Forget You" had already entered the charts at that time and was on its way up! Both remained in the charts for some time.
Much was made of the "I Won't Forget You" title in the papers as quite appropriate for Jim.
He had even mimed both songs for British television just before he died. I saw them both!
Just after he died, I believe that 7 of his LPs were all in the LP charts together!

Thanks for that. I didn't know Jim had appeared on British TV with 'I Won't Forget You'. When was that I wonder?

I can remember watching UK TV when Jim mimed to 'I Love You Because'. It was aired on 9th May 1964, though it had been recorded the previous month. I had caught a snatch of the record on radio and liked it, but Jim's appearance confirmed me as a fan.

The much loved DJ Brian Matthew presented Jim with a silver disc.

I couldn't believe it in August when the news broke of Jim's death. Being disillusioned with pop I thought here at last was something I really could listen to all day long. Now he was snatched away.

But oh! what was to follow! Such a story!

And actually Tom, Jim had 8 LP's simultaneously in the UK charts that Autumn -

Good N' Country
Gentleman Jim
A Touch Of Velvet
The International Jim Reeves
God Be With You
Moonlight And Roses
The Countryside Of Jim Reeves
We Thank Thee

And actually a reissue of He'll Have to Go wasn't far behind.

This feat has never been matched, let alone beaten. How could it be?

The greatest balladeer of them all.

Martin Rolls.

It was the following week. Both clips were recorded at the same time but shown separately.
I swear blind the second song was " I Won't Forget You" which had just been released but I might be wrong. No video recorders in those days but somebody might have recorded the audio directly from the TV. I used to record directly from the BBC radio myself then with Pat Campbell. Still have them now. Good to hear from you.
Regards to all.