The World Famous Ultimate Twang: Classic Album Review-Tammy Wynette "The First Lady"

Classic Album Review-Tammy Wynette “The First Lady”

Here’s something to make you feel old; a look back to October, 1970. Wichita State University lost several football players in a plane crash, on their way to a game with Utah State; those born include television personality Kelly Ripa, actor Matt Damon, golfer Annika Sorenstam, and actor Kirk Cameron; Janis Joplin died of a heroin overdose; PBS began broadcasting; Merle Haggard wins the CMA “Entertainer Of The Year”; Lee Roy Yarbrough got his last NASCAR Cup win at Charlotte; Baltimore topped Cincinnati in the World Series; Anwar Sadat became president of Egypt; and “Doonesbury” is first published. October, 1970, was also the month of release for today’s Classic Album, Tammy Wynette’s “The First Lady”. “The First Lady” would climb as high as number two on the country album charts, and would include one single, “Run Woman Run”.

“Run Woman Run”, the first cut on the disc, was a number one hit for Tammy in October, 1970. An outstanding recording, a great ballad, that unfortunately often gets lost in the midst of other great hits such as “Stand By Your Man” and “D-I-V-O-R-C-E”. You could argue, though, that this may be one of her best cuts.

“I Wish I Had A Mommy Like You” is vintage Tammy Wynette. The song, itself, is okay, but Tammy’s vocals are among the best we’ll hear from her on any album. In a nutshell, we find out a little boy comes over to the neighbor’s house, because his mother is never home, apparently searching for what she’s not getting from the husband/daddy, who stays out at night, apparently, with the neighbor. Only in country music.

“True And Lasting Love” is yet another ballad, that has to be chalked up as another outstanding vocal performance by Tammy. The song, itself, is great, but the result with Tammy Wynette at the mic is magical.

“I Never Once Stopped Loving You” is a cover of a Connie Smith hit from the same year. This is an interesting comparison, because I think Tammy and Connie are similarly styled vocalists. Had Connie Smith not released this as a single, it could have easily been a hit for Tammy Wynette. Both versions are standout, and I’m not so sure if I had to choose, I just might pick Tammy’s.

“Safe In These Lovin’ Arms Of Mine”, a song with average lyrical content, but a good melody, as well as a good, up tempo beat. Another good vocal performance, as well, makes this a good cut to end side one.

As we take a look at side two, we start out with what has to be one of the album’s highlights, “Sally Trash”. How can you not like a song that compares a “white trash” woman to an overripe tomato? This is a song that one could easily hear Loretta Lynn sing, as it’s not unlike some of her hits in subject matter and lyrical content.

Since side 1 included a song featuring a little boy talking about his always absent mommy, isn’t it only appropriate that side two include a song about a little girl and an absent daddy? In this case, the little girl has substituted a “daddy doll” for her departed real-life father. Sappy but sad.

This album is heavy on ballads, including “The Lovin’ Kind”. An album cut, but certainly not just filler, this cut could have easily been a hit single. Great lyrics, music, and of course, an outstanding vocal performance by Tammy all make this track one of the standout tracks on the album.

“He’s Still My Man”, another ballad, is another winner, though, Tammy’s range is stretched on this one. She might have been in trouble had she been asked to sing any higher.

3 songs that talk about kids missing a parent, for me, is a bit much for one album, but for some reason, if someone is able to pull it off, it’s Tammy Wynette. The third cut of this type is “Buy Me A Daddy”; a little girl asks her mother to buy her a daddy, instead of any more toys. These songs threaten to come off sappy or syrupy in the hands of most vocalists, but somehow, they work for Tammy. And remember, she had success with these type of songs as singles, too. “I Don’t Want To Play House”, “Kids Say The Darndest Things”, and “Bedtime Story”, for example.

The album wraps with a kickin’ version of “Playin’ Around With Love”, a cover of Barbara Mandrell’s first hit, from that same year. Another excellent track is the best way to sum it up.

Based on my research, it looks as though this album has never been issued on CD, nor is it available as an MP3 download. What a shame! This is a true example of classic country music from the early ’70’s, arguably one of the best albums of that era, and it should be made available. That being said, I did find several used vinyl copies for sale, online, along with a few 8-tracks, and, get this, on Ebay, a reel-to-reel copy! How retro cool is that?

While I’ve not heard every album of her career, I would think this one would have to rank as one of her best, as the whole collection is a phenomenal work of country music art. Tammy was vocally at her peak, at the time of this recording, and the result is one of the most consistent and exceptional vocal performances of any album I’ve reviewed to this point. Tammy is like Merle Haggard, in that they sing in such a way, that you can see and almost experience what they are singing about. I don’t think that’s something that can be taught; you either have it or you don’t, and the vast majority of artists, don’t. While I’ve used the painting analogy, before, in Tammy’s case, she really does paint a picture with her vocal. This album is easily a 5 out of 5. Agreed?