Jean Shepard - Dear John Letter:the Singles Collection 1953-62 (CD)

The US country charts were for many years in the post-war era the exclusive domain of male artists and it was not until Kitty Wells in 1952, soon followed by Jean Shepard in 1953, that a female artist topped the country charts. Specialising in songs redolent with the familiar country themes, especially for female artists during those times, of relationships, lost love, betrayal and heartache, and having had her first hit at No. 1 with "A Dear John Letter", which was a duet with Ferlin Husky, Jean Shepard enjoyed a lengthy chart career, with over forty hits through to 1978. This 60-track 2-CD set focuses on the first decade of that career when she established her position as a pioneer for female artists in country, helping to pave the way for the likes of Patsy Cline in the years that followed. It comprises most of her A & B sides during this era from her debut for Capitol through to 1962, including duets with Ferlin Husky and Speedy West, and features all her pop and country chart entries from these years, including the country No. 1 and pop No. 4 "A Dear John Letter", plus her other Top 10 country hits "Forgive Me, John", "A Satisfied Mind", "I Thought Of You" and "Beautiful Lies". Adapting her sound as the smoother new Nashville sound arrived in the late '50s she was nevertheless very much an archetypal exponent of the style of country music associated with female artists during these years and this collection offers both a substantial overview of a key era of her career and an enjoyable showcase for her distinctive style.

Track List:

Disc: 1

1. Crying Steel Guitar Waltz
2. Twice The Lovin'
3. A Dear John Letter
4. I'd Rather Die Young
5. Forgive Me, John
6. My Wedding Ring
7. The Glass That Stands Beside You
8. Let's Kiss And Try Again
9. Two Whoops And A Holler
10. Why Did You Wait?
11. You'll Come Crawlin' Back
12. Don't Fall In Love With A Married Man
13. Please Don't Divorce Me
14. Don't Rush Me
15. Did You Tell Her About Me
16. You Sent Her An Orchid
17. Take Possession
18. A Satisfied Mind
19. I Thought Of You
20. Beautiful Lies
21. This Has Been Your Life
22. I Learned It All From You
23. You're Calling Me Sweetheart Again
24. He Loved Me Once And He'll Love Me Again
25. Just Give Me Love
26. Thank You Just The Same
27. Tomorrow I'll Be Gone
28. If You Can Walk Away
29. Under Suspicion

Disc: 2

1. The Other Woman
2. It Scares Me Half To Death
3. Act Like A Married Man
4. You're Just The Kind Of Guy
5. I Used To Love You
6. He's My Baby
7. Secrets Of Life
8. Just Another Girl
9. I Want To Go Where No One Knows Me
10. I'll Take The Blame
11. Have Heart, Will Love
12. Jeopardy
13. Better Love Next Time
14. Heartaches, Teardrops And Sorrow
15. Sweetheart Don't Come Back
16. The One You Slip Around With
17. The Mysteries Of Life
18. How Do I Tell It To A Child
19. Lonely Little World
20. For The Children's Sake
21. The Root Of Evil (Is A Man)
22. No One Knows
23. How Long Does It Hurt
24. If You Were Losing Him To Me
25. The Biggest Cry
26. Two Voices, Two Shadows, Two Faces
27. Your Conscience Or Your Heart
28. It's Never Too Late
29. One Less Heartache
30. It's Torture
31. I've Learned To Live With You (And Be Alone)