Tag Archives: The Jordanaires

Let’s Take A Moment Day 529

Posted in Music by

Hi everyone.  Hope you are all well and continue to stay that way during this global health crisis we are facing.  But in addition to protecting your physical wellness, what are you doing to stay mentally healthy today?

Aug 2021 blog

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

I know we are still facing a serious situation but a new year gives us hope for the new days, seasons, opportunities & moments ahead. Still, music is something that will never change for me. It is my refuge, the most comforting part of my life & the one thing I consistently count on. So until a more normal semblance of life returns, I am going to share a song I listen to that helps me escape the current state of things, if only for a few minutes each day. And if this helps anyone else, even better.

On August 21, 1961 country legend Patsy Cline recorded her signature song. Written by fellow country superstar Willie Nelson, her version became a crossover hit, reaching #9 on Billboard’s Hot 100 Singles chart that year & #2 on its Country chart in 1962.

The accompanying vocals, provided by Elvis Presley’s backing quartet, The Jordanaires, not only complimented Cline’s voice but helped elevate it as well. But even without the four men, she brought a range, depth, beauty & heartache to this song that no one has matched in the 50 years since she made it her own.

“I knew
You’d love me as long as you wanted
And then some day
You’d leave me for somebody new“.

Cline

Patsy Cline circa 1961. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Patsy Cline: “Crazy” (1961, written by Willie Nelson).

I do not own the rights to anything.  I am just sharing what I love and how I am coping with you.

Stay well.

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Let’s Take A Moment Day 332

Posted in Music by

Hi everyone.  Hope you are all well and continue to stay that way during this global health crisis we are facing.  But in addition to protecting your physical wellness, what are you doing to stay mentally healthy today?

Feb 2021 Blog

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

I know we are still facing a serious situation but a new year gives us hope for the new days, seasons, opportunities & moments ahead. Still, music is something that will never change for me. It is my refuge, the most comforting part of my life & the one thing I consistently count on. So until a more normal semblance of life returns, I am going to share a song I listen to that helps me escape the current state of things, if only for a few minutes each day. And if this helps anyone else, even better.

On this day in 1957 Patsy Cline released today’s song. It was her first hit & went on to become one of her signature tunes. She re-recorded the track in 1961 with Elvis Presley’s backup group, The Jordanaires. But as wonderful as that version is, I prefer the original. It has a slightly slower tempo, more like a shuffle & a simpler arrangement which showcases the strength & beauty of Cline’s voice even more.

“I stop to see a weepin’ willow
Cryin’ on his pillow
Maybe he’s cryin’ for me“.

Patsy

Patsy Cline circa 1961. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Patsy Cline: “Walkin’ After Midnight” (1957, written by Alan Block and Donn Hecht).

I do not own the rights to anything.  I am just sharing what I love and how I am coping with you.

Stay well.

Let’s Take A Moment Day 275

Posted in Holidays, Music by

Hi everyone.  Hope you are all well and continue to stay that way during this global health crisis we are facing.  But in addition to protecting your physical wellness, what are you doing to stay mentally healthy today?

Dec 16

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

I know we are in a serious situation, but I need a break from the gloom, doom and bullying by way of hoarding. Music has always been my refuge and watching those beautiful Italians singing to each other from their balconies reaffirmed my belief that music is the answer. So until the old normal returns, I am going to share a song I listen to that helps me escape the current state of things, if only for a few minutes each day.  And if this helps anyone else, even better.

On October 15, 1957 Elvis Presley released his first Christmas record, Elvis’ Christmas Album. It contained two covers pertaining to the colors of the season-“Blue Christmas” (first recorded in 1948 by country singer & actor Doye O’Dell) & “White Christmas” along with Gene Autry’s “Here Comes Santa Claus”, amongst other holiday songs. But it is the first track of the album-another homage to Santa Claus-they gets my heart going. Written by the legendary songwriting team of of Jerry Leiber & Mike Stoller (the geniuses behind “Hound Dog”, “Jailhouse Rock” and a slew of others), it is a rocking, bluesy, fiery tune that features a great Fats Domino-like piano arrangement (played to the heavens by Elvis’ longtime band member Dudley Brooks), killer back-up vocals by The Jordanaires and a tempo so strong you can almost visualize The King’s hips vibrating in front of you. The song is just magic.

Two months later on December 16, the album hit the #1 spot in the country. Elvis put one more Christmas record out during his career (1971’s Elvis Sings The Wonderful World Of Christmas followed by several posthumous holiday releases), but for me and a lot of other fans it is this album, which was at the top of the charts 63 years ago today, that all the other ones would have to measure up to. As of this date, it remains the best selling holiday album of all time. All hail The King.

“Well, it’s Christmas time pretty baby
And the snow is on the ground
Well, you be a real good little girl
Santa Claus is back in town“.

Elvis

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Elvis Presley: “Santa Claus Is Back In Town” (1957, written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller).

I do not own the rights to anything.  I am just sharing what I love and how I am coping with you.

Stay well.

Let’s Take A Moment Day 176

Posted in Music by

Hi everyone.  Hope you are all well and continue to stay that way during this global health crisis we are facing.  But in addition to protecting your physical wellness, what are you doing to stay mentally healthy today?

Bruce quote

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

I know we are in a serious situation, but I need a break from the gloom, doom and bullying by way of hoarding. Music has always been my refuge and watching those beautiful Italians singing to each other from their balconies reaffirmed my belief that music is the answer. So until the old normal returns, I am going to share a song I listen to that helps me escape the current state of things, if only for a few minutes each day.  And if this helps anyone else, even better.

Today marks the 88th birth anniversary of country legend, Patsy Cline.  Born Virginia Patterson Hensley in Winchester, VA in 1932, she started singing professionally at age 15 to support her family after her father left them.  He was an amateur singer who passed on his talent to her from an early age.  Cline got her stage surname from her first husband, Gerald Cline (married 1953, divorced 1957) while her first name was a variation on her middle one.  She became a regular on a regional TV show in 1954 which led to her first recording contract with 4 Star Records.  After six years with them and no success, she signed with Decca Records where her career blossomed.  Before a plane crash ended her life at age 30 on March 5, 1963, she had two children, a girl & a boy.  Her daughter,  Julie Symadore Fudge, runs a museum in Nashville dedicated to her mother.  It features many of Cline’s stage clothes which she designed and were hand made by her mother, Hilda Hensley.

Cline recorded today’s song for her 1961 album, “Showcase”.  She recorded it with The Jordanaires, who were the backing vocal group for Elvis Presley.  This record has several of her best known songs including “Walking After Midnight”, “Crazy”, “San Antonio Rose” and the track featured today.

According to The Country Music Hall Of Fame, Cline is the most popular female country singer in recording history.  She is also listed as the first solo female artist inducted into that hallowed group.  One listen to her deep beautiful unique voice and you know why both of those facts exist.

“I fall to pieces
Each time someone speaks your name 
I fall to pieces
Time only adds to the flame“.

patsy

Patsy Cline circa 1962.  (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Patsy Cline:  “I Fall To Pieces” ( 1961, written by Hank Cochran and Harlan Howard).

I do not own the rights to anything.  I am just sharing what I love and how I am coping with you.

Stay well.