Bobbie Gentry – “The Girl From Chickasaw County” (Released 5th August 2022)

Description

//UMC/EMI//

£27.99 – 2xLP, Limited Edition Vinyl

Bobbie is notable as one of the first female country artists to compose and produce her own material. During her five-year tenure at Capitol, she penned at least two songs that have become certified classics, ‘Ode to Billie Joe’ and ‘Fancy’, among dozens of original compositions.

Bobbie released eight Capitol albums in total, heralded by the smash hit debut ‘Ode to Billie Joe’ (Which displaced Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely-Hearts Club Band from the top of the charts in the US). Delta Sweete, her third, is another highlight. MOJO magazine listed it in their top 500 greatest albums of all time and memorably described her as the ‘JD Salinger of rock n roll.’

Bobbie also teamed up with Glen Campbell later that year (1968) for album of duets that earned her another gold record and spawned three hit singles, including a cover of the Everly Brothers’ hit ‘All I Have to Do Is Dream’, which rose to No. 3 on the U.K. and No. 27 on the Billboard Hot 100. The pair also toured briefly together and performed on a number of American and British television programs and specials.

Bobbie enjoyed four UK hits, with ‘I’ll Never Fall in Love Again’ topping the charts in 1969. In the USA, she notched 11 hits and was nominated for a Grammy for album Fancy, which was largely produced by Rick Hall in Muscle Shoals

Bobbie had her own BBC show for 3 seasons, hosting the programmes, performing her own material and introducing guests such as Elton John, James Taylor and, Donovan. She also headlined her nightclub in Vegas.

She quit the scene over 40 years ago (1978), and unlike everyone who returns, she has stayed out of sight. She remains one of the few genuine mysteries of popular music. Because she was so popular (No.1 singles/Albums, BBC TV series, Vegas residency) her abilities as a writer, producer and arranger were too often overlooked, she paved the way for Joni Mitchell and Carly Simon. Bobbie’s songs continue to influence a new generation of artists like Cheryl Crow, Beth Orton, Lucinda Williams and Roseanne Cash all of whom have cited her as an influence and covered her songs.

Tracklisting:

SIDE A

1. Ode to Billie Joe
2. Chickasaw County Child
3. Hurry, Tuesday Child [demo]
4. Sunday Best [alternate take]
5. Mississippi Delta [alternate version]
6. Okolona River Bottom Band
Refractions
Courtyard

SIDE B

Mornin’ Glory
Sweete Peony [alternate Version]
Casket Vignette
Recollection
Sittin’ Pretty
Hushabye Mountain
Conspiracy of Homer Jones
Sunday Mornin’ [alternate version]
Let It Be Me (duet with Glen Campbell) [without strings]

SIDE C

God Bless The Child
This Girl’s In Love With You
Touch ‘Em with Love [stereo version]
Seasons Come, Seasons Go [demo]
Glory Hallelujah, How They’ll Sing [alternate take]
Fancy
He Made A Woman Out of Me
Rainmaker
Circle ‘Round the Sun

SIDE D

Apartment 21 [Stereo version]
Benjamin
But I Can’t Get Back
Lookin’ In
Smoke
Joanne
The Girl from Cincinnati