The World Famous Ultimate Twang: Classic Album Review-Sonny James "Behind The Tear"

Classic Album Review-Sonny James “Behind The Tear”

Taking another look back into the annals of recording history, country-style. Today, the subject is Hall of Famer Sonny James, and his album “Behind The Tear”. Released in October, 1965, it would peak at number two on the country album chart, and yielded three number one hits, “Behind The Tear”, “It’s The Little Things”, and “I’ll Never Find Another You”. And it’s interesting to note, that while the title cut was a number one hit in 1965, the other two titles did not see life as singles, until nearly two years later.

The album starts out with the title cut, a number one hit for Sonny in October and November of 1965. I’ve always felt this was one of his best singles, apparently as did many others.

“I’ll Never Be Anything But In Love With You” is a nice love ballad, done exceptionally well by Sonny, though the very end could have been worked better, rather than having him trying to reach a high not almost out of his range.

The ballads continue with “Shackles And Chains”, not really that good of a song. Sonny’s performance is fine, but the song, itself is lacking.

“Tonight I Found My True Love” has that late ’50’s top forty sound to it, kind of like something that Johnny Ray, Andy Williams, or the Four Lads might have done. Nothing fantastic, but a nice, easily listenable tune, nonetheless.

“It’s The Little Things” became the third of Sonny’s sixteen consecutive number one hits, topping the charts in late 1967. Decent song, but admittedly, not one of my favorite Sonny James songs, but still, one that many will put on their “best” lists.

One of the album’s buried treasures has to be “On And On”. Up tempo, with that patented Sonny James guitar heard on most of his songs. While many of Sonny’s biggest hits were ballads, I think you can actually make the argument that his best work was his up tempo numbers, such as this little-known gem.

Side 2 kicks things off with Sonny’s rendition of the New Seekers’ hit “I’ll Never Find Another You”. Sonny’s version is a more up tempo version of the song, and as a single, it became Sonny’s second of those sixteen consecutive number ones, hitting the top in August, 1967. This is one of those relatively rare times where the remake, to me, is better than the original. I like the faster tempo that Sonny employs, better than the more mid tempo style used by the New Seekers.

“Yes Or No”, yet another in an album full of nice tunes. Not a song that’s likely going to stand out to a listener, but not one that’s likely make one reach for the tone arm on vinyl, or the forward button on the CD or computer.

Folk music was very popular during the middle part of the 1960’s, and while Sonny’s never considered a folk singer, there is no denying a folk influence on some of his recordings. It clearly comes through on “What Makes A Man Wander”. Warning, you could easily find yourself singing along with this one. It’s a great melody, good lyrics, stellar arrangement and vocals. A winner, here.

“In Memory Of Louisa” is another in an album heavy on ballads. And like many of them, it falls into that range of good, but not great, yet made better by Sonny’s vocals, along with outstanding production at the hands of the producer, Marvin Hughes.

“I Truly Do” also falls into that category. A little bit more tempo, and a decent melody, but again, not anything particularly special, but again, made better at the hands, or vocal chords of Sonny James.

This album has never been released on CD or MP3 download, but used vinyl copies are out there. It is old enough that you will find both stereo and mono copies, most around $4-$15.

Sonny was a smooth country crooner, but with a style unlike any other, before or since. It’s a voice with a strong country presence, but also a touch of pop, folk, and even blues. Yes, he’s a crooner, but it’s a style different than the likes of his contemporaries such as Eddy Arnold, Jim Reeves, or George Hamilton IV. And of those who have come along since, there really is no one who sings like Sonny James did. He is truly a unique voice. As for the album, overall, it’s a good album, but not great. The singles, of course, are the best cuts, along with “On And On”, and the rest are a step or two below. In my opinion, it’s not good enough to be a 4, but I think 3.5 is too low, as well, so for this one, I will pull out the seldom used 3.75 out of 5. What do you think?