When it comes to the music of Tennessee Ernie Ford, if you can get past the sombre tone and lyrical meanings, you’d likely agree that they don’t make music like this anymore. Released in 1964, Country Hits…Feelin’ Blue sees Ford, Billy Strange, and John Mosher perform a masterful collection of songs in a stripped-down manner that highlights the vocal, guitar, and bass elements in a way that is often lost on more complex recordings. It is this back-to-basics approach that truly highlights Ford’s incredible resonant baritone vocal; a vocal that has to be heard to be believed.

As I listen to the CD-quality lossless Apple Music stream, I’m left in awe. While Country Hits…Feelin’ Blue never made it to CD, the stream provided by Capitol Records is beyond reproach and is so good that I’m questioning if I need to consider the 2020 vinyl reissue from Analogue Productions. Vinyl aficionados will undoubtedly point to the additional warmth of the vinyl record that would work exceedingly well with this type of music, but the Apple Music lossless stream is anything but cold and shrill, and really has a sense of presence. As much as I appreciate the Analogue Productions re-issues, such as Aaron Neville’s Warm Your Heart, I can’t find fault in the streamed offering. It’s that good! 

Try Me One More Time is searching for redemption in a classic love gone awry manner that is iconic to country music. Ford sells it incredibly well making the listener believe that it is indeed him who is asking for another chance. 

No Letter Today is such a sad song of longing for a beloved. Yes, some may consider Country Hits…Feelin’ Blue to be akin to a suicide-inducing album, due to the sombreness of the songs, but the wittiness in its storytelling is appealing and so it depends on how you choose to listen to this record as the glass-half filled individual will undoubtedly experience it differently to those who declare it as being half empty. 

Born To Lose showcases just how smooth Ford’s vocal is. This is one song that can be fully appreciated sans lyrical intent for the uninspiring meaning of Born To Lose is most certainly overshadowed by the exceptional vocal elements that become an instrument rather than a storytelling device. Of course, you may prefer to listen to the lyrics, that’s up to you, but I prefer, in this case, to be swept away with vocal awe. 

Don’t Rob Another Man’s Castle is utterly brilliant and is one of the best songs on Country Hits…Feelin’ Blue. It’s droll, yet still relevant. A timeless classic!

There’ll Be No Teardrops Tonight picks up the tempo a little; a great toe-tapping song! Strange’s guitar tracking here is out-of-this-world as it’s unpretentious yet authoritative in driving the song forward. Hank Williams would have been proud!

I Don’t Hurt Anymore is a solid tune. Although, I’d say that Ford pushed his vocal a little too far on this song for the resonance is just a little jarring on the senses. It’s a fine line, of course, but it is just a step too far for my liking. 

Worried Mind is an upright bass player’s dream come true. The holding back of the guitar is also a masterful approach as the song continues to build throughout. It’s upbeat, and you’ll find yourself toe-tapping and head-bopping to this classic, ironically without a worry in the world for the musicality will captivate your soul. 

No One Will Ever Know is an intriguing song filled with conflicts of emotion and love. It presents an interesting dichotomy but is indicative of how many of us would love to move on from a relationship; silently and without explanation or justification. 

Funny How Time Slips Away is a country music standard that has been recorded by numerous musicians over the years. As a Willie Nelson authored tune, it would be logical to suggest that his recording is the one to go for. Yes, his rendition is admirable but there are so many thoroughly good renditions, including this one by Ford, that it is really difficult to pin down the best interpretation. If you have time, I recommend you check out the Glen Campbell & Willy Nelson duet or Elvis Presley’s recording, but I would stay clear of Bryan Ferry’s bastardisation of this classic tune.

Sweet Dreams is a little dry. It’s still a great tune but fails to leave a lasting impression. 

Tears On My Pillow maintains the overall blue feeling of the album but is a great tune with a brilliant verse and chorus structure.

May You Never Be Alone closes out the album admirably. It’s another that Hank Williams would likely have been proud of for his rendition is excellent in its own right but doesn’t compare to Ford’s soulful masterpiece. May You Never Be Alone encourages me to play the record again, but be warned, repeat listens of this album can result in you feelin’ blue. 

From start to finish, Country Hits…Feelin’ Blue is an exceptional album that will appeal to anyone who appreciates an acoustic vocal-focused musical experience. Is it one of the greatest country albums of the 60s? Absolutely! Although, I’d go as far as saying that it’s one of the greatest country music albums ever recorded and that it should be in everyone’s collection. If nothing else, it is arguably the very best work of Ford’s illustrious career.