The World Famous Ultimate Twang: Pam Tillis "Put Yourself In My Place" Classic Album Review

Greetings from Asheville, where good music is always on the turntable, in the CD player, or on the MP3 machine. Today’s Classic Album Review looks back at the album that first brought Pam Tillis major acclaim. Put Yourself In My Place wasn’t her first album release (1983′s Above And Beyond The Doll Of Cutey was the first), but it was her first hit album, soaring as high as ten on the bestseller lists, upon it’s January, 1991 release by Arista. The album, certified Gold for sales of 500,000, featured five singles, including three top ten hits.

One of those singles, the title track, “Put Yourself In My Place”, opens the album. The bouncy, slightly rockabilly track is a solid opening to this collection, setting a good tone for the rest of the album. As a single, it was the album’s third release, just missing the top ten in the Fall of 1991.

“Melancholy Child” retains a bit of the rockabilly feel, yet has more of a bluegrass feel to it. One of the album’s Hidden Gem contenders, it’s a strong track.

Many would argue that “Maybe It Was Memphis” is the album’s highlight, and it would be hard to disagree (though “Don’t Tell Me What To Do” is also as strong). A top three hit in early 1992, it’s among her best work.

“Blue Rose Is” was a single deserving of a better fate, than a twenty-one peak. Good, solid piece of Country music, and perhaps the album’s strongest lyrics. Gotta love the steel work, here.

“Don’t Tell Me What To Do” was the debut single that brought Pam notice, climbing into the top five in the early Spring of 1991. Arguably as strong as “Maybe It Was Memphis”, this is a track that features a catchy hook with it’s title, and a melody that just sticks with you, like a good meal. Again, among Pam Tillis’ best work.

There’s not a plethora of ballads, here, but the ones included are strong, including “One Of Those Things”, which was the album’s second single, climbing into the top ten during the Summer of 1991. Strong piece of music, here.

Another Hidden Gem contender is “Draggin’ My Chains”, a lively piece of music that one can’t help but like. Some really good singing, here, as well (not that there isn’t elsewhere, the whole album is very good, vocally).

“Ancient History” continues the brigade of good country music, and it’s one of those songs that, even if you’ve not heard it before, it still has that feel of familiarity to it.

And really, the same can be said of “I’ve Seen Enough To Know”. You’re sure you’ve heard it before, even if you haven’t. I think this one is, lyrically, a little under the rest of the album, but it’s still not a bad track, enjoyable to listen to.

The album wraps with one more rockabilly-inspired piece in “Already Fallen”, which provides a good wrap to this disc. Good track to end things.

This album was originally released on compact disc and cassette. It continues to be available in the compact disc and MP3 download formats. In addition, it can also be found as a “two-fer”, with her Homeward Looking Angel album. As for used copies, they are plentiful and pretty inexpensive. Most I saw were under $10.

It’s a difficult choice for the album’s Standout Track, but I will go with “Don’t Tell Me What To Do”. There are also some good choices for the Hidden Gem; my pick is “Melancholy Child”. ”I’ve Seen Enough To Know” may not be quite as strong as the other nine, but in no way is it a weak or filler track.

Overall, this was a great effort that gave Pam Tillis a perfect vehicle in which to build a successful career. Strong and consistent throughout, there’s really not anything to dislike, here. This album certainly played a major role in building up her fan base and is still a worthy disc, twenty-two years after it’s release. I rate it a 5 out of 5.

Your thoughts?

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