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Poor Sweet Baby...And Ten More Bill Anderson Songs

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Poor Sweet Baby...And Ten More Bill Anderson Songs
Studio album by
Jean Shepard
ReleasedMarch 1975 (1975-03)
RecordedApril–November 1974
StudioAmerican Studios
GenreCountry[1]
LabelUnited Artists
ProducerLarry Butler
Jean Shepard chronology
I'll Do Anything It Takes
(1974) 		Poor Sweet Baby...And Ten More Bill Anderson Songs
(1975) 		I'm a Believer
(1975)
Singles from Poor Sweet Baby...And Ten More Bill Anderson Songs
  1. "Poor Sweet Baby"
    Released: September 1974
  2. "The Tip of My Fingers"
    Released: February 1975

Poor Sweet Baby...And Ten More Bill Anderson Songs is a studio album by American country singer Jean Shepard. It was released by United Artists Records in March 1975 and was her twenty second studio album. The disc was a collection of songs that paid tribute to singer-songwriter Bill Anderson. Re-released song Shepard had previously put it out were included, along with covers of songs Anderson had composed over the years. It received reviews from music publications following its release and made the US country albums chart.

Background

Among country music's first successful recording artists, Jean Shepard had a series of hits for more than 20 years. In 1973, Bill Anderson wrote what was considered her comeback recording called "Slippin' Away" and it rose into the country top ten.[2][3] Anderson had known Shepard for many years and decided to write more songs for her while she was recording with United Artists Records. These songs included the singles "At the Time" and "Poor Sweet Baby".[3][4] Shepard wanted to pay tribute to Anderson for writing her material,[3] prompting producer Larry Butler to approach United Artists with the idea. After the label accepted his request, Butler called Anderson on the phone to give him the news that an album of Shepard singing his material would be made.[4]

Recording and content

Poor Sweet Baby...And Ten More Bill Anderson Songs was produced by Larry Butler at American Studios, located in Nashville, Tennessee. Sessions for the album took place between April and November 1974.[4] The album was a collection of 11 tracks.[1] The disc re-released "Slippin' Away", "At the Time" and "Think I'll Go Somewhere and Cry Myself to Sleep". The latter tracks had already been issued on previous Jean Shepard albums. The liner notes of the disc were written by Anderson himself. In the notes, Anderson says of the tracks, "I won't try to describe the album because words can't describe music. Besides, I don't want to do anything to take away from the thrill you're going to have the first time you listen to this album."[4]

Release and critical reception

Poor Sweet Baby...And Ten More Bill Anderson Songs was released by United Artists Records in March 1975. It was distributed by the label as both a vinyl LP and a 8-track cartridge. The LP version featured five songs on side one and six songs on side two. The album was the twenty second of Shepard's career.[4] It received reviews from music magazines following its release. Billboard named it among its "Top Album Picks" on March 1, 1975, praising Shepard's vocals: "The title says what's in the package, but it's Jeannie's interpretation of these great numbers that really makes it come off."[5] On March 8, Cashbox magazine had similar findings, "Jean's vocals do much justice to Bill's writing. Her down to earthness shines through her tremendous talents," the publication wrote.[6]

Chart performance and singles

Poor Sweet Baby...And Ten More Bill Anderson Songs made the US Billboard Top Country Albums chart, rising to the number 42 position in 1975. It was Shepard's second-to-last album to make the chart in her career.[7] A total of two singles were included on the disc. The earliest single was "Poor Sweet Baby", which was originally issued by United Artists in September 1974.[8] It rose to the top 20 in both the United States and Canada, climbing to number 14 on the US Billboard Hot Country Songs chart[9] and number 17 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks chart.[10] "The Tip of My Fingers" was the next single released and was first issued in February 1975.[11] It also rose into the US Hot Country Songs top 20, peaking at number 16 in mid 1975.[9] On the Canadian country chart, it made the top 30, peaking at number 25 during the same period.[10]

Track listing

All tracks composed by Bill Anderson, except where indicated.[4]

Side one[4]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Poor Sweet Baby" 3:02
2."I'm Alright" 2:45
3."When Two Worlds Collide"
2:27
4."At the Time" 2:30
5."The Tip of My Fingers" 2:55
Side two[4]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Slippin' Away" 2:14
2."It's Enough to Make a Woman Lose Her Mind" 2:42
3."Bright Lights and Country Music"
  • B. Anderson
  • J. Gateley
2:39
4."City Lights" 3:16
5."If You Can Live with It (I Can Live Without It)" 2:46
6."Think I'll Go Somewhere and Cry Myself to Sleep" 2:46

Chart performance

Chart (1975) Peak
position
US Top Country Albums (Billboard)[12] 42

Release history

Region Date Format Label Ref.
North America March 1975
  • Vinyl LP (Stereo)
  • 8-Track Cartridge
 United Artists Records [4]
United Kingdom Vinyl LP (Stereo) [13]

References

  1. ^ a b "Poor Sweet Baby and Ten More Bill Anderson Songs: Jean Shepard: Songs, reviews, credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
  2. ^ Cooper, Dan. "Jean Shepard". Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Retrieved 30 June 2024.
  3. ^ a b c Oermann, Robert K. (2008). Behind the Grand Ole Opry Curtain Tales of Romance and Tragedy. Center Street. ISBN 978-1599951843.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i Shepard, Jean (March 1975). "Poor Sweet Baby...And Ten More Bill Anderson Songs (Liner Notes)". United Artists Records. UA-LA363-G (LP); UA-EA363-H (8-Track).
  5. ^ "Billboard's Top Album Picks: Country" (PDF). Billboard. March 1, 1975. p. 80. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
  6. ^ "Cashbox Country Reviews: LP's" (PDF). Cashbox. March 8, 1975. p. 70. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
  7. ^ Whitburn, Joel (2008). Joel Whitburn Presents Hot Country Albums, 1964-2007. Record Research, Inc. ISBN 978-0898201734.
  8. ^ Shepard, Jean (September 1974). ""Poor Sweet Baby"/"I'm Not That Good at Goodbye" (7" vinyl single)". United Artists Records. UA-XW552-X.
  9. ^ a b Whitburn, Joel (2004). The Billboard Book Of Top 40 Country Hits: 1944-2006, Second edition. Record Research.
  10. ^ a b "Search results for "Jean Shepard" under RPM Country Singles". RPM. Archived from the original on October 24, 2012. Retrieved September 10, 2011.
  11. ^ Shepard, Jean (February 1975). ""The Tip of My Fingers"/"Bright Lights and Country Music" (7" vinyl single)". United Artists Records. UA-XW591-X.
  12. ^ "Jean Shepard Chart History (Top Country Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved July 12, 2024.
  13. ^ Shepard, Jean (March 1975). "Poor Sweet Baby...And Ten More Bill Anderson Songs [UK reissue]". United Artists Records. UAS-29738 (LP Stereo).
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