Candy Kisses - George Morgan

 

Sad Bird

Candy Kisses 

The Incomparable George Morgan

A&R Chief: Tommy Hill

Engineer: Jack Linneman & Al Gore

Setting for cover photo, Res. Design for Hal G. Neely by Braxton Dixon, Hendersonville, Tennessee

Cover Photo by Dan Quest

Starday SLP 400

From the back cover: One Saturday night during 1966, Saturday's A&R "chief" Tommy Hill, was standing backstage at the Grand Ole Opry talking to Little Roy Wiggins. "There's the man I'd like to record," he commented as George Morgan took a bow and started off stage toward them. "When it comes to singing a song," he added, George can't be beat! I sure wish we had on Starday!"

As frequently happens in the magical world of 'music biz,' the wish was granted when less than a year later George and Starday President Don Pierce signed on the dotted line, and Tommy began the search for suitable songs for George's first Starday sessions.

As you listen to the results of these sessions, contained in this album, you will realize that for the folks at Starday it wasn't merely a matter of "recording" George Morgan... this is one of the finest examples of teamwork that the Nashville recording industry has ever witnessed. "Everyone," claims George, "from the shipping clerk to the President, were right in there pitching for me. It has inspired me tremendously."

It was during the first "material reviewing conference" that Don Pierce launched the bombshell, "George," he announced, "you have been recording all these years ...you have all these hit songs like "Candy Kisses," and yet you have never recorded an album of them by that title!"

Following this startling revelation, George went into the studio and backed up by some of Nashville's finest musicians, put down on tape site of his great standards: "You're The Only Good Thing," "Almost," "Please Don't Let Me Love You," (this with an exciting "Swinging Doors" type guitar intro') "Room Full Of Roses," "I'm In Love Again" and the inevitable "Candy Kisses," all sung like never before.

Sitting in the control room listening to the playback, everyone was of the opinion that each of the six new songs merited a single release. They were so right! Before the shouting's over, there is just no telling what will break out of this tremendous album ...this showcase of the versatility of George Morgan. For those who like a gusty rendition about a wheelin' dealin' romantic truck driver, "Shiny Red Automobile" comes across with a punch that will leave the juke box op's dizzy. "Look At The Lonely" and "Have Some Of Mine" are both ballads done with the unique Morgan tenderness. "Sad Bird" is of the plaintive folk type. "Goin Home To Mama" is nothing short of beautiful, and as for "I Couldn't See"...well, would you believe Mexican trumpets?

Candy Kisses has played an important role in George's career. In September of 1958 he was sitting listening to the Grand Ole Opry and heard Eddy Arnold make his farewell speech. George, who was then working in Wheeling on WWVA, wondered who would be taking Eddy's place. The following Monday morning he received an invitation from WSM (who had heard a demonstration record of "Candy Kisses") to audition. Needless to say, he got the job! Since then "Candy Kisses" has without a doubt become the song with which George is identifiable. His oldest daughter, in his and lovely Anastasia's family of five, was named Candy Kay. And now to herald his arrival in the Starday "stable," this album is indeed another good omen, for George Morgan fans everywhere, of more wonderful things to come! "Candy Kisses" is an album I will be proud of to have in my collection. – Dixie Dean, Feature Writer for Music City News

Look At The Lonely

Have Some Of Mine

You're The Only Good Thing (That's Happened To Me)

Almost

Please Don't Let Me Love You

Room Full Of Roses

Shiny Red Automobile

I Couldn't See 

Sad Bird

Goin' Home To Mama

I'm In Love Again

Candy Kisses