Customer Reviews

She Sings, They Play

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Don't let the unattractiveness of the cover turn you off; this is an unusual but enjoyable "fun" album. The only thing that the versatile Skeeter Davis probably hasn't sung is Reggae and Rap. With this album she has demonstrated that she still has what it was that made her so popular in the 60's; the ability to sing practically any style or song and give it "her" touch. The arrangements are awesome, and the instruments (which frankly I can't identify) give that down-home country feel with a touch of Jazz and R&B (or something like that). You will be sure to enjoy the funny number "Everyone Wants a Cowboy" and also "Aint Nice To Talk Like That" which is infectious with solid three part harmony; but my favourite is "Someday My Prince Will Come" - just listen to the band's playing at the end. I have listened to this over and over and I can't get tired of hearing it. It is sooooo SWEET, and NRBQ does things with th! e instruments that I can't explain. This album will definitely surprise you.

This is really one of NRBQ's finest pieces of work. Once again they proved themselves to be the classiest combo in music by really stepping back and letting Skeeter Davis shine. Her duets with Joey, Al, and Terry are a joy and there is just so much warmth and good humor in this collection that it's a pleasure to listen to. A match made in heaven!

Legendary country singer Skeeter Davis got together with cult rock band NRBQ to create one of the greatest "collaboration" albums by two diverse acts ever done. Skeeter was ever the trailblazing country girl and recorded this years before Tammy Wynette teamed up with the British dance band The KLF or Loretta Lynn did her brillant "Van Lear Rose" album under rocker Jack White's production. It's not surprising that Skeeter, almost at home on the pop charts as she was the country charts back in the 1960's, would successfully be able to merge in harmony with this rock band but the real shocker is how great the guys can tackle hard country music, which is the bulk of this recording.

Most of the songs are originals either written by Skeeter or NRBQ members but the greatest gem here is a stunning cover of Hank Williams' MAY YOU NEVER BE ALONE which I feel is the best track of a Williams song ever done by a female vocalist. There's plenty of other fabulous tracks here, notably Skeeter's gothic original ROSES ON MY SHOULDER which despite it's nursery rhyme melody is the story of a fatherless girl who stumbles into prostitution in search of male affection. Skeeter and band member Al Anderson do a terrific country duet on HEART TO HEART and Skeeter's good humor shines through deliciously in EVERYBODY WANTS A COWBOY, a satire on the Nashville star system. She goes for more of a classic pop sound on THINGS TO YOU (featuring harmony by Joey Stampinato, whom she later married) and recalls the girl group sound in HOW MANY TEARS. There's even a wistful cover of the Snow White Disney song SOMEDAY MY PRINCE WILL COME with a haunting melancholy edge. This outstanding album got some but rather limited attention back when it was first released in 1985; it's certainly not "radio friendly" country music, but it is brillant country music and it's no surprise to find 25 years later it's still in print like the true classic it is while many of that era's top ten country records are now long out of print.

Skeeter does it again! Once again she pleases my ears with her magnificent voice and lovely songs. As a collector of her CDs, i'm very happy to have this one as well.
Very stylish, fun and country of course. With NRBQ backing her, the sound of every song is very good. It's like they have been working together for many years while it's just a one time co-operation. The end of "Everybody Wants A Cowboy" really got me laughing. 'I just know i can make it to be a big star' she says. Hah, no joking she really is! "Everybody's Clown", a beauty! Makes you think about the life a singer has behind all the performing and that it might be much tougher as it seems (a sad reality for Skeeter). "Roses On My Shoulder" is another of my favorites, hearing Skeeter singing this is so sweet! "Temporarily Out Of Order", masterpiece! And last but not least "May You Never Be Alone". Now this is a special song. Skeeter sang this for Betty Jack Davis (her best friend and the person who she started performing with as "The Davis Sisters" before Betty Jack was killed in a car accident) and she used her old-style harmony singing for it. All the other songs are great too but i just wanted to point at these cause they are my favorites.
You don't wanna miss this CD in your collection, certainly not when you like Skeeter and/or country music.

It was the first time Listening to this grand lady named Skeeter Davis. I was amazed at her voice. The tunes sound wonderful. I'm very happy.

thank 4 sending so fast roses on my shoulders bought a tear to my eye
and her in those cloths

A fabulous album of quirkly humorous, utterly heartfelt tunes by one of country music's top greats. For some reason, this release also appears under "Skeeter Davis - Books" read my full review there.

I GREATLY ADMIRE BOTH OF THESE ARTIST AND PUTTING THEM TOGETHER SEEMED LIKE A SPLENDID IDEA! I EXPECTED TO BE PLAYING THIS CD OVER AND OVER, BUT TOO MANY OF THE TRACKS COME ACROSS AS BEING.....WELL, HOAKEY. SORRY TO SAY THIS, BUT I CALLS 'EM AS I SEE'S 'EM. I AM TRULY SORRY.
R C HILL