Jeannie C. Riley - The Songs of Jeannie C. Riley

This CD predates Jeannie's mega hit "Harper Valley PTA" and it is easy to tell why she became a household name. While this is a very early recording, it is full of thought provoking songs, dealing with things that were generally not spoke of in that era. Even in this recording, where she is still developing her style, her talent is very much in evidence. Anyone who loves the traditional style of country music will enjoy this CD.

Jeannie C. Riley is a well-respected member of the Nashville community. She has been a Grand Ole Opry regular for many, many years. Probably best known for "Harper Valley PTA," she has a solid catalog of songs to her credit. Not only has she been consistent with her music, she also wrote much of her own material. Listening to her music today, people wouldn't give the content a second thought. While listening to people sing about any variety of subjects today, it is easy to forget what kind of censorship was in place just a few years ago. A 'woman singer' singing this material was a new experience for that era.

Jeannie didn't let that stop her, she sang about things that were real. She sang about loving someone other than her husband in a song she wrote, "How Can Anything So Right Be So Wrong." In a time where divorce was a dirty word, she sang about wanting out of an unhappy marriage in "The Price I Pay To Stay." Johnny Paycheck wrote a couple of songs on the album, and one was "You've Got Me Singing Nursery Rhymes." It is a cute love song that incorporates several nursery rhymes into the song, and brings back lots of memories of memorizing the nursery rhymes that you rarely hear anymore.

All in all, this is a great CD. It is full of solid, thought provoking music. The sound is very traditional and really emphasizes how Nashville sound has changed over the years. It is a great addition to the collection of anyone loving the classic Nashville sound.