The album kicks off with one of several covers found on the collection, Webb’s take on the Hank Locklin classic “Please Help Me I’m Falling”. Given that Webb Pierce and Hank Locklin had vocal styles that were similar, it’s no real surprise that Webb does a version comparable to the hit.
The Summer of 1963 saw Webb in the top ten, with the title cut, “Sands Of Gold”. One of Webb’s more pop-sounding hits, the medium tempo is mixed with a rhythm that has a slight Caribbean feel. It may be the only Webb Pierce hit, where bongo’s can be heard.
One of the album’s Hidden Gem contenders is next, in the pure country bouncer, “Blue Mood”. While Webb does a credible job on the more pop sounding tracks, it’s here that he really excels.
Another decent cover is Webb’s version of the Carl and Pearl Butler hit, “Don’t Let Me Cross Over”. Not quite as hard-edged as the Butler version, but still straight country music.c
Webb Pierce singing Bobby Vinton??? It’s true, as Webb tackles “Roses Are Red (Violets Are Blue)”. A bit surprising is that it’s not nearly as awkward as one might imaging. While it doesn’t rate the same level as the Vinton classic, Credit must be given to Webb Pierce for doing a decent take.
Side one ends with another Hidden Gem contender. I really like the R & B-influenced rhythm of “My Love For You”. This medium tempo’d track is nailed by Webb Pierce.
Side two opens with one of the big hits of 1963, just not for Webb. ”Detroit City” scored twice; early in the year as a Country twenty hit for Billy Grammer (under the title “I Wanna Go Home”), then as a top ten country/pop hit for Bobby Bare. It’s a solid piece, under the production of Owen Bradley. Webb takes elements of both hit versions and melds them together, well.
Another Webb hit that has a strong pop feel, is “Those Wonderful Years”, in fact, take out the steel guitar, it’s a pure top 40 sound for that era. Somewhat surprisingly, though, Webb doesn’t sound out of place, here, handling the track, pretty well.
The tempo picks up, some, with Webb’s cover labelmate Jimmie Davis’ classic “Nobody’s Darling But Mind”. Good, solid effort, here.
The only single to miss the top ten was “If The Back Door Could Talk”, which, in the Fall of 1963, just missed the top ten, while the flip, “Those Wonderful Years”, was breaking into the top ten. One of my favorite Webb Pierce 1960′s works, here. Simply a classic.
“True Love Never Dies” feels oddly out of place, here. The track, recorded in October, 1958, harkens back to Webb’s sound of that period, which, by 1963, had softened considerably, as had many other veteran acts. Still, it’s a nice piece of vintage Webb Pierce honky tonk sound.
The album ends with the swinging “The Smile Of A Clown”. Not the strongest track on the album, but it is a catchy piece that will grow on you.
While it doesn’t appear to be currently available, this album has been on the market in compact disc form, as a “two-fer” with Webb’s Sweet Memories album. Used vinyl copies can be found, what I found was generally within a couple of dollars of ten dollars.
My Standout Track, here, goes to the title cut, while I have to give the Hidden Gem to “Blue Mood”. Even though “The Smile Of A Clown” is a catchy track, it’s also The Weakest Track.
Overall, there’s nothing groundbreaking, here. It’s a fairly typical album of the era; a couple of hits, a few covers, and a couple of originals. That said, if you like Webb Pierce, it’s a good album to listen to. There’s no really bad tracks, here, and the sound varies enough between tracks to keep any monotony at bay. I’d rate it a 3.5 out of 5.
Your thoughts?
Saving vinyl, one record at a time.
Webb Pierce "Sands Of Gold" Classic Album Review
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