Back in Baby's Arms

Connie Smith reached peak success in the mid and late 1960s with the launch of her debut single called "Once a Day". Released in 1964, the song topped the American country chart for eight weeks and brought a series of follow-up singles into the top ten through 1969. In 1968, Smith became a Christian, which affected her both personally and professionally.[2] Yet, Smith continued to record for her label (RCA Victor) with the same output as in previous years.[3] However, Smith made the commitment to incorporate more gospel music into her country studio albums.[4] This trend would be seen on her next studio sessions for the recording of Back in Baby's Arms which included country music material, along with one gospel song.[5][1]

Smith went into RCA Victor Studios in July 1969 to record the tracks for Back in Baby's Arms. The sessions were produced by her longtime RCA producer Bob Ferguson.[6] One track, "What Would I Do Without You", was pulled from Smith's July 1968 session.[7] The album contained a total of 11 tracks.[8][1] Many of the album's recordings were covers of both country and pop songs of the era. The title track was a cover of the song originally recorded by Patsy Cline. Smith's was done in an up-tempo "shuffle", according to biographer Barry Mazor. "The Wedding Cake" was originally a charting single for pop artist Connie Francis in 1969. Smith also covered "Long Black Limousine", which had previously been recorded by both Bobby Bare and Elvis Presley. Smith's version was more "deliberate" and "dramatic", according to Mazor.[5] Also included was a cover of Brenda Lee's "Fool #1".[9]

Smith also cut Brenda Lee's "Too Many Rivers", which reached the American pop top 20 in 1965.[9] Per Smith's vow to record more gospel material, a cover of "How Great Thou Art" is also included on the album. In an interview with Mazor, Smith recalled being drawn to the track after hearing it performed by Sonny James. According to Smith, disc jockey Pat Campbell wanted to release her version as a single in Europe, but RCA declined to do so. "Why RCA didn't release my recording, I just don't know," she reflected. Several new tracks were also part of the album project. Among these new tracks was "I Can't Get Used to Being Lonely", which was composed by Melba Montgomery and was among Smith's favorites from the album, according to Mazor.[10] "Now" (written by Cy Coben) was also a new track.[8]

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	[1]

Back in Baby's Arms was released by the RCA Victor label in October 1969. It became the fourteenth studio album released in Smith's career and her thirteenth solo album (she had previously recorded a duet project with Nat Stuckey). The label issued the disc as a vinyl LP, containing six songs on "side one" and five songs on "side two".[8] Decades later, it was re-released through Sony Music Entertainment to digital and streaming sites including Apple Music.[11] Also in the years that followed, AllMusic's Dan Cooper would rate the album 4.5 out of 5 stars. Cooper only mentioned Smith's cover of "How Great Thou Art" in his review, praising the recording: "If any Thomas ever doubted Smith's religious convictions (which are as much a part of her story as her voice is) one listen to this LP's 'How Great Thou Art' should take care of that mistrust."[1] In its original release, Back in Baby's Arms spent 15 weeks on the American Billboard Country LP's chart, peaking at the number 12 position in December 1969. It was her fifth album to chart in the top 20 rather than the top ten.[12]

All credits are adapted from the liner notes of Back in Baby's Arms[8] and the biography booklet by Barry Mazor titled Just for What I Am.[13]