Four lps (1966-1969) on two cds, a feast of country music is what is on offer here, and for fans of older country music and fans of Sledge, Mississippi-born Charley Pride in particular a treat made in heaven.
At his best, which he invariably is across the whole four albums Pride not only has this unmistakable rich smooth, note perfect singing voice but the ability to take a song and make it his own! For covers come thick and fast as Pride dips into country favourites of the time, songs that had been hits for the likes of Jim Reeves (“Distant Drums”, Yonder Comes A Sucker”); a big hit with Charley and of whom he set his benchmark as a singer; plus Bobby Bare (“Detroit City”), Buck Owens (“Act Naturally”) and Johnny Cash (“Busted”, “Folsom Prison Blues”, “Guess Things Happen That Way” and Freddy Fender “Before The Next Teardrop Falls”) among others as he performs songs from Country Charley Pride. And also include them from time to time elsewhere. Songs to go with immense songs associated with him “Before I Met You” and “The Snakes Crawl At Night”, for these two songs alone a case to buy this set can be argued, they are that good. His talent wasn’t only recognised by fans but the industry as awards weren’t long in coming for one-time budding baseball star, and cotton picking Pride. Plus there is the little matter of Waylon Jennings and Faron Young putting pen to paper to write the liner notes for Pride Of Country Music and Make Mine Country respectively. A fine judge of a song, Pride also had Jack Clement feed him a bunch of his own, old and new compositions.
Pride’s ability to take the likes of “Banks of The Ohio” and “Wings Of A Dove” to go with a smart cover of Harlan Howard’s “Above And Beyond” (a Buck Owens’ hit; and likewise years later for Rodney Crowell) and nail them. As he cemented a foundation with those from Clement to ensue all four albums are top quality by way of songs, vocal performances and are as all Nashville made albums, and feature a heady list of star pickers too!
If pushed to name the best album within the set I would on most days go for The Country Way as Pride eases, effortlessly through “Crystal Chandeliers”, a song to later gain a new audience a decade on in the UK, alongside immaculate workings of “Does My Ring Hurt Your Finger”, “Life Turned Her That Way” and Merle Haggard’s “I Threw Away The Rose” to go with jewel in the crown “Gone, On The Other Hand” (c/w Big Joe Talbot on Hawaiian steel guitar). But on others I am drawn towards Pride Of Country Music not least due to the inclusion of “I Know One” (Clement’s best song ever?), “I’m Not The Boy I Used To Be”(Curly Putman) plus another from Cowboy Jack (Clement) “Just Between You And Me”. Wonderful value, and on a greater study on looking through the writers on this release you are able to understand Charley Pride’s appreciation for songwriters, and it doesn’t stop here, because like many others on seeing him live have heard him run through a medley of songs by Kris Kristofferson. For newer recruits to country music I can't over emphasize the rewards you will obtain from checking out the songwriters featured across the albums. Enjoy.
Maurice Hope