Ray Price Sings Heart Songs

 

Blues Stay Away From Me

Ray Price Sings Heart Songs
Columbia Records CL 1015

From the back cover: In popular usage, a "heart song" is one that is fundamentally sentimental, more often than not with a touch of sadness about it, and it is songs such as these that Ray Price presents in this brand-new collection. Most of them, of course, are familiar hits from the past, newly recorded by Ray as a sentimental offering, and few singers today are better qualified to give these songs that extra something that enhances their attraction.Since 1951, Ray Price has been one of Columbia's major stars, singing his way into the affections of millions of listeners, not only on his best-selling records but on radio as well. Only recently, Ray was awarded one of the first of Columbia's "Gold Guitars" for his latest, Crazy Arms. Ray's specialties have always been ballads, although he is equally gifted when it comes to a lively tune, and some of his greatest successes have been scored in that field. In addition to his singing talents, Ray is a composer, and writes most of his own songs, working them out on his guitar. When it came time for him to select the songs for this collection, he chose those that seemed to him most likely to fit together in a balanced program, and happily it included some of his biggest hits.

Ray was born on a farm near Perryville, Texas, in 1926. From the very beginning, he showed his musical talents, and sang his way through grade school and high school, entertaining at class programs and local affairs. When he entered North Texas Agricultural College, where he studied to become a veterinarian, he continued his singing as a member of the college glee club. As he went along, it became more and more apparent that his real calling lay with music, and at last he decided to become a professional singer. From the outset, he was successful, and within a very few months was a major star in his chosen field. During the war, he served in the South Pacific with the Marine Corps, and is still an expert rifleman. In addition, he has participated in rodeo contests, and is skilled at bronco busting and quarter horse training.

But the songs Ray Price sings here have little to do with such rugged activities – these are softly sentimental tunes, the kind his fans like best and the kind Ray himself likes to sing best. His pleasure in his singing is apparent in the delightful performances he brings to these songs, making them even more pleasurable for his admirers. Heart songs they most assuredly are, both for the heart that their lyrics and melodies convey, and for the heart that Ray Price brings to them in his singing.

I Love  You Because
Let Me Talk To You
Blues, Stay Away From Me
Many Tears Ago
Letters Have No Arms
Faded Lov
Remember Me

I Saw My Castles Fall Today
I'll Sail My Ship Alone
I Can't Help It
A Mansion On The Hill
Pins And Needles