The Very Special World of Lee Hazlewood

Lee Hazlewood | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 27, 2007)
• Original Release Date: 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Water
• ASIN: B000P298F6
• Also Available in: Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #20,664 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. For One Moment

2. When a Fool Loves a Fool

3. Not the Lovin' Kind

4. Your Sweet Love

5. Sand

6. My Autumn's Done Come

7. These Boots Are Made For Walkin'

8. I Move Around

9. So Long, Babe

10. Bugles In the Afternoon

11. My Baby Cried All Night Long

Editorial Reviews

Although Lee Hazlewood had recorded as a solo performer prior to his brief stint with MGM, his first two MGM albums present his best '60s recordings as a solo vocalist. Issued in 1966, "The Very Special World of Lee Hazlewood" is the first of these. Hazlewood's limitations as a singer kept him, and this album, from being marketable as anything approaching a commercial proposition at the time (unless he was dueting with Nancy Sinatra). Yet with the passage of several decades, this one-of-a-kind blend of country, pop, lounge, nonchalant sub-Johnny Cash vocals, and off-kilter lyrics was recognized as worthy on its own terms and appreciated by a sizable cult audience. And as this album demonstrates, he really wasn't without his more conventionally pleasing pop attributes either, even if it would take other artists to put them onto the hit parade. It does include his own versions of songs far more famous as the versions he produced for Nancy Sinatra: "These Boots Are Made for Walkin'" (done here in a far less effective, self-mocking satirical fashion), "Summer Wine" (done as a duet with Suzi Jane Hokum, though it's his slightly later subsequent duet of the song with Sinatra that's remembered), and "So Long Babe." There's also a bossa nova treatment of the hit he wrote and produced for Dino, Desi & Billy, "Not the Lovin' Kind." But there are a couple of delectable sad pop ballads with gorgeous strings and weepy backup choral vocals ("Your Sweet Love" and "For One Moment"); one of his greatest dark meditations, "My Autumn's Done Come"; and zippier, frivolous fun pop tunes ("I Move Around" and "When a Fool Loves a Fool"). Not everything here's on this level; there are occasional songs that verge on slipping from the humorous to dumb novelties. But it's a worthwhile record, and not solely on kitsch terms. - Richie Unterberger, All Music Guide

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A singular point of view much needed in music., September 12, 2010

By 

Pierre Pressure (Austin, TX) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Very Special World of Lee Hazlewood (Audio CD)

(10 out of 10) This was my first album of Hazlewood's I had ever heard. It is a masterpiece! Highly recommended for fans of Johnny Cash or Leonard Cohen. Some of the best production I have ever heard on any album ever. I have gone onto purchase Requiem for an Almost Lady, Cowboy in Sweden, and the MGM album, but this is the one to own. None of these follow-up albums capture the strong song-writing and jaw-dropping production found here.
Some of the songs have a timeless quality about them while a few give off a whiff of the old west. His song, "My Autumn Done Come" is one of the best songs I have ever heard. It could be about retirement, or the musings of a man who simply has accepted his lot and life and is no longer affected by the criticisms of others. Most of the songs deal with relationships gone bad from either the dumper or dump-ee's perspective. These songs present a wise, sly, and darkly humorous point of view which is not to be found on any album I have heard of this era.

5.0 out of 5 stars Soothing Listen, April 9, 2011

By 

C. Rocklein - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Very Special World of Lee Hazlewood (Audio CD)

Orchestral flowing background and a soft country tune, lyrics gently sung, sometimes a female background. The songs are very peaceful. The voice sings about lost and other kinds of love. The lyrics seem to have a slight sense of humor but this never takes away from the earnest yet worldwise (and yet peacefully resigned to it) manner in which Hazelwood lays it down. More than once this CD has been just what the doctor ordered. Recommended, of course.

0 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Songs, By A Geeat Arist, June 7, 2009

By 

Peter Behr "Pidde" (Southern Sweden) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Very Special World of Lee Hazlewood (Audio CD)

I Heard Quite A Lot Of His Records, And They All Have There Own Tuch. Sorry To Lose Him. He Hade A Lot More To Offer Us.