Classic Hifi Care

Our old Imperial stereo has been used for Christmas music on CD and for a platform for the wife's Christmas decorations. I rescued it this morning, then put a stack of Patsy Cline records on the spindle. Magnavox knew what they were doing building record players. I know this is a tough audience for discussing music, but I have been enjoying this combination as I work around the house this morning. That's what this hobby is about, right?

Patsy Cline did rock and roll! "When I Get Thru With You".....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RMkQz6wwAM4

That's one of her songs I've never heard, very nice.

It has all the classic rock and roll chord changes
and even the half step key change in it.

I really like her early 60's recordings with the
electric bass using a pick.

Another of her songs that I consider a cross-over
to rock and roll hit list is the song "Strange".

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNQYjiWjRWw

The record I referenced is "A Portrait of Patsy Cline". I have two copies, both mono for some reason. I have one I bought new, has been played on my little Truetone kiddie player a million times and is beginning to show its age. The one I played today is a copy I got at an auction and is in vastly better condition. This record was introduced after her death, and includes some of her favorite covers she recorded. This recording was produced by Owen Bradley and featured the Jordainaires on background vocals. The heavy bass you spoke about was pretty much a Patsy Cline tradition on her Decca sides.

She gained her greatest fame and success with Owen Bradley and the Nashville sound. She tolerated the genre, favoring the barroom ballad type of music. "It pays the bills" was pretty much her attitude. Owen Bradley deserves credit for taming the "bawdy girl" she and her BFF Dottie West were known to be. Bradley toned her down, slowed her down, added an orchestra, gave her "higher class" material. Harlan Howard, Cindy Walker, Hank Cochran provided much of her material, but so did Russ Morgan and Irving Berlin.....

I have always enjoyed her music but sad that she had such a short career.

Bill

1957 to 1963 give or take. She had a voice that wouldn't quit.

She was married to her second husband from 1957-1963 and died in March 1963 at the age of 30. Many an artist passed way to early in life. One that comes to mind is George Gershwin at the age of 38.

Bill

Patsy Cline died in a plane crash that also took Hawkshaw Hawkins and Cowboy Copus. Jim Reeves died the next year in a plane crash. He was 40 and, unfortunately, he was a better singer than he was an airplane pilot. He started out playing baseball professionally until an injury ended that career. Hank Williams was 29 when he died.

I had not heard the cut either. Anything she sang was worth listening to.

Cris Campbell

"I Love You Honey" is allegedly from 1956. This is the type of music Patsy was said to prefer. You can tell her style was totally changed during the Nashville sound days.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnyFm_oC7a4

From this to a 1962 Nashville sound belly-rubber. I've read that it was written by Hank Cochran specifically for Patsy Cline. This is one of those songs that sounds as amazing as it did when it was new. Cindy Walker wrote most of Patsy's romantic ballads, but Cochran outdid himself on this one. Pig Robbins at the piano with the signature double-beat bass. "Why Can't He Be You".....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qA_TfCeWk8