Smooth operator, Patti Page had the kind of voice and style not only most typical of the 1950s. Page was pre-Elvis and the introduction of rock’n’roll, and emergence of the likes of the Beatles and Mersey Sound and many more styles in pop music, but to her credit, she rode out the storm. Stayed true to her mellow, pure style. Among her slick pop hits she did as this album underlines a number of creditable country covers. She may not have been Outlaw or Redneck based, or in the same meadow, but the lady comes over well on a good many, Page also recorded a few duets with one of my all-time country heroes. I am talking Tom T Hall; their collaborations on “Hello I’m Lonely” and “We’re Not Getting Old”, both written by the storyteller are of both of interest, and beat, hands down most pop crossover singers stab at country music.
Likewise, Page wins favour on “Please Help Me I’m Falling” and three from Kris Kristofferson “I’d Rather Be Sorry”, “Help Me Make It Through The Night” and “Jody & The Kid” (although if you want to hear the definitive versions of the song latter two then be sure to check out the one from diminutive country act Sammi Smith), 1960s biggie “Please Release Me” and Marty Robbins' song “Don’t Worry Bout Me”. Plus there’s a perky version of Jack Clement’s “Guess Things Happen That Way”, Lefty Frizzell’s “Mom And Dad Waltz” and “Am I That Easy To Forget” and Patsy Cline favourite “I Fall To Pieces”.
Page’s claim to fame of course was through her classic version of Tennessee Waltz, and a song she took into the pop charts “Old Cape Cod”. Added to her wonderful vocal talent, the 50-song compilation enjoys a who’s who of Nashville season men in tow, and with them doing no wrong Page couldn’t fail to shine. At their best on the likes of “Detour” (an exceptional production), “Walk On By”, Johnny Cash's “I Walk The Line” and a surprisingly convincing version of Jimmy Dean classic “Big Bad John“ there is a bunch of good ones on offer (and too many by far to mention).
Maurice Hope