Was “Four Walls” the first Nashville Sound record? It’s a debate that flares up from time to time. While many hold that opinion, others will point to Ferlin Husky’s “Gone”, which entered the market a couple of months, prior. Both records were preview of what was to come over the following decade, that basic country sound, smoothed over with strings and background voices, and the minimizing or complete elimination of the steel and fiddle in the sound. Cursed by some and applauded by others, there can be no question, though, as to how much this new sound helped build the popularity of the genre.
“Four Walls” is a fine example. Making it’s debut on the country charts in April, by the end of May, it had began an eight week run at number one, while also crossing over to the pop charts, where it just missed a top ten placing, stopping at eleven.
“Four Walls” also completed the transition of Jim Reeves from a traditionally-styled singer to the smooth vocalist who came to be known as “The Voice Of Velvet”. That transition began with the preceding single, “Am I Losing You”, a top 5 hit that still featured the traditional arrangement, but saw Jim’s vocals in a much more smooth tone than his previous releases.
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Jim Reeves "Four Walls" Single Of The Day
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