An American Classic
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| An American Classic | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | August 14, 2020 | |||
| Genre | Country[1] | |||
| Length | 45:47 | |||
| Label | Curb | |||
| Producer | ||||
| Jeannie Seely chronology | ||||
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| Singles from An American Classic | ||||
An American Classic is a studio album by American country artist Jeannie Seely. It was released on August 14, 2020, via Curb Records. The album was produced by Don Cusic and contained thirteen tracks. The record is Seely's seventeenth studio project and first in three years. The album contains a mixture of new recordings as well as re-recordings of her familiar tunes. Various collaborators are featured on the project that provide harmony and duet vocals to different recordings. The album was given a positive critical response upon its release.
Background[edit]
An American Classic was produced by Don Cusic. The idea for the project was crafted by Cusic who became interested in recording an album for Seely.[5] Seely agreed after finding that Cusic was interested in recording her, later saying that she was "thrilled" to work with him.[6] "She is a favorite of fans, as well as country singers who admire and respect her talent and love her as a classy lady. The title of this album, An American Classic fits her perfectly," Cusic commented. Jim Ed Norman also contributed a track featuring Ray Stevens to the record's production.[5]
Content[edit]
An American Classic consists of 13 tracks. The album includes a mixture of re-recorded songs and new songs. In addition, many of the project's tracks included collaborations with other artists.[6] Among the collaborations is the track, "Not a Dry Eye in the House." The song is a duet with Willie Nelson that was first recorded by its songwriter Dallas Wayne. Seely and Nelson first began a friendship in 1963 around the time she began her music career.[1][7] In addition to vocals from Nelson, Seely also collaborated with several other country artists for the album. This includes Bill Anderson, Lorrie Morgan, Waylon Payne, Ray Stevens, Steve Wariner and The Whites.[8] Seely and Anderson recorded the track "When Two Worlds Collide" for the album, which he had first composed with Roger Miller.[7] With Ray Stevens, Seely recorded a duet of Paul McCartney's "Dance Tonight."[6]
Seely also recorded other collaborations, including the song "All Through Crying Over You." The track features harmony vocals from Seely's longtime friend Rhonda Vincent, who had recently cut one of Seely's compositions, "Like I Could", which was later issued as a single.[6] Additional tracks also feature artists on the project. An example is the song "If You Could Call It That." The song was written after a friend found an unfinished song journal from Seely's friend and country artist Dottie West. Songwriters Bobby Tomberlin and Steve Wariner adapted West's journal notes into a song.[1] Two of Seely's former hits were re-recorded for the album project: "Don't Touch Me" and "Can I Sleep in Your Arms." Both songs were written by her first husband and songwriter, Hank Cochran.[1]
Release and reception[edit]
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Bristol Herald Courier | Favorable |
| Digital Journal | A |
The announcement of An American Classic was first made public in fall 2019. The original intention was to release the album in the spring of 2020.[9] However, the album was pushed back to summer 2020[1][5] In conjunction with Seely's 80th birthday on July 6, "Not a Dry Eye in the House" was released as a digital download. "To have a duet with Willie Nelson be the first song released from my upcoming album is icing on the cake," Seely later commented.[5] An American Classic was officially released on August 14, 2020, via Curb Records.[6] The album was offered as both a compact disc and a music download.[10][11]
Following its release, An American Classic received positive review by writers and music critics. Tom Netherland gave the project a positive response in his story of the album's release, calling it a project full of "postcards from the heart." Netherland also added that the album's release signifies Seely's status as an important female country artist. "Seely belongs in the midst of Loretta Lynn and Kitty Wells as a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame. Like an author with pen in hand, whenever she sings, Seely adds another page in the annals of a career made legendary," he concluded.[7] In addition, Markos Papadatos of Digital Journal gave the album a positive critical response in his review. Papadatos praised the album's eclectic mix of collaborations as well as its mix of musical styles. He concluded by giving the collection an "A" rating: "Grand Ole Opry star Jeannie Seely proves that she is like fine wine, where she only better with age and experience on her latest studio offering An American Classic."[12]
Track listing[edit]
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "So Far, So Good" (with The Whites) |
| 2:24 |
| 2. | "If You Could Call It That" (featuring Steve Wariner) |
| 3:44 |
| 3. | "To Make a Dream Come True" | C.W. "Buddy Kalb", Jr. | 3:47 |
| 4. | "Teach Me Tonight" | 3:27 | |
| 5. | "Can I Sleep in Your Arms Tonight" (re-recording) | Hank Cochran | 3:17 |
| 6. | "All Through Crying Over You" (with Rhonda Vincent) | Jeannie Seely | 3:29 |
| 7. | "When Two Worlds Collide" (with Bill Anderson) |
| 3:01 |
| 8. | "Not a Dry Eye in the House" (featuring Willie Nelson) | Dallas Wayne | 3:47 |
| 9. | "Old Flames (Can't Hold a Candle to You)" (with Waylon Payne) | 3:44 | |
| 10. | "That's How I Roll" (with Vince Gill and Lorrie Morgan) |
| 2:31 |
| 11. | "Don't Touch Me" (re-recording) | Cochran | 3:24 |
| 12. | "Dance Tonight" (with Ray Stevens) | Paul McCartney | 3:13 |
| 13. | "Peaceful Waters" | Don Cusic | 5:59 |
| Total length: | 45:47 | ||
Personnel[edit]
Musical personnel
- Bill Anderson – guest vocals
- Vince Gill – guest vocals
- Lorrie Morgan – guest vocals
- Willie Nelson – guest vocals
- Waylon Payne – guest vocals
- Jeannie Seely – lead vocals
- Ray Stevens – guest vocals
- Rhonda Vincent – guest vocals
- Steve Wariner – guest vocals
- The Whites – guest vocals
Technical personnel
- Don Cusic – producer
- Jim Ed Norman – executive producer
Release history[edit]
| Region | Date | Format | Label | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | August 14, 2020 |
| Curb Records | [10][11] |
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d e Turner, Rianna. "In 'An American Classic,' Jeannie Seeley Revisits Career As Grand As The Opry". Forbes. Retrieved 6 July 2020.
- ^ "Not A Dry Eye In The House". Spotify. July 6, 2020. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
- ^ "Jeannie Seely Released "If You Could Call It That" to Radio -". Country Evolution. March 3, 2021. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
- ^ "Jeannie Seely Announces Release of Collaboration With The Whites "So Far, So Good" to Radio". The Country Note. March 5, 2022. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
- ^ a b c d "Jeannie Seely Announces Pre-Order for Highly-Anticipated New Project with Curb Records, An American Classic on 80th Birthday". The Country Note. Retrieved 6 July 2020.
- ^ a b c d e Nicholson, Jessica. "Jeannie Seely Showcases Decades Of Friendships On New Album, 'An American Classic'". Music Row. Retrieved 15 August 2020.
- ^ a b c Netherland, Tom. "Jeannie Seely releases new album, 'An American Classic'". Bristol Herald Courier. Retrieved 15 August 2020.
- ^ Robertson, Sherod. "Opry Legend Jeannie Seely Announces New Album On 80th Birthday". Music Row. Retrieved 6 July 2020.
- ^ Goolsby, Abe. "Jeannie Seely Celebrates 52 Years with the Grand Ole Opry". RFD-TV. Retrieved 6 July 2020.
- ^ a b c "An American Classic by Jeannie Seely on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved 7 July 2020.
- ^ a b c "An American Classic by Jeannie Seely on Amazon Music". Amazon. Retrieved 15 August 2020.
- ^ Papadatos, Markos. "Review: Jeannie Seely releases amazing album 'An American Classic'". Digital Journal. Retrieved 15 August 2020.
External links[edit]
- Discography at Jeannie Seely's official website
