Just Singin'

Just Singin is a studio album by American country artist, Billie Jo Spears. It was released in February 1971 via Capitol Records and contained ten tracks. The album featured mostly cover recordings of popular country songs from the time period. Just Singin' was met with mixed reviews from critics following its release. It was her final album with the Capitol label.

Just Singin'
Studio album by
Billie Jo Spears
ReleasedFebruary 1971 (1971-02)
RecordedNovember 1970 (1970-11)
StudioJack Clement Recording Studio
GenreCountry[1]
LabelCapitol
ProducerGeorge Richey
Billie Jo Spears chronology
Country Girl
(1970)		 Just Singin'
(1971)		 Blanket on the Ground
(1975)

Background and recording

Billie Jo Spears broke through to country music success with 1969's "Mr. Walker, It's All Over". The song reached the top ten of the country charts and a series of recordings followed in its wake on Capitol Records. Several studio albums followed between 1969 and 1971 on the Capitol label including 1971's Just Singin'.[2][3] The album was recorded in November 1970 at the Jack Clement Recording Studio, located in Nashville, Tennessee. The recording sessions were produced by George Richey,[4] who had produced Spears's previous two albums.[3]

Content

Just Singin consisted of ten tracks. Most of the disc's recordings were covers of popular country songs from the era.[1] Included were covers of three number one Billboard country songs: Leon Payne's "I Love You Because", Sammi Smith's "Help Me Make It Through the Night", Ray Price's chart-topping "For the Good Times". Several other charting Billboard country singles were also covered by Spears: Faron Young's "Goin' Steady", Tammy Wynette's "Apartment No. 9", Anne Murray's "Snowbird" and Ferlin Husky's "Heavenly Sunshine".[5] Three new tracks were also included: "When You Hurt Me More Than I Love You", "I Just Can't Get Enough of You" and "Trying to See".[4]

Release and critical reception
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic[1]

Just Singin was released by Capitol Records in February 1971. It was the sixth studio album of Spears's career. It was distributed as a vinyl LP, with five recordings on either side of the disc.[4] No singles were issued from the album and it would prove unsuccessful. Spears would be dropped from Capitol Records the following year.[3] Just Singin received mixed reviews from critics. Billboard commented that "the tunes are strong" and highlighted several covers featured on the disc.[6] Alan Cackett of Country Music People found the album was "handled with poise and professionalism".[3] Meanwhile, Richie Unterberger of AllMusic gave the album three out of five stars. "Billie Jo Spears' 1972 album Just Singin perhaps relies too heavily on covers of big country hits to make the kind of individual impact this richly talented vocalist deserved."[1]

Track listing
Side one[4][5]
No.TitleWriter(s)Original artistLength
1."Snowbird"Gene MacLellanAnne Murray2:11
2."Apartment No. 9"
Bobby Austin2:41
3."For the Good Times"Kris KristoffersonRay Price3:45
4."When You Hurt Me More (Than I Love You)"Jerry FosterBillie Jo Spears2:27
5."Heavenly Sunshine"
Ferlin Husky2:30
Side two[4][5]
No.TitleWriter(s)Original artistLength
1."Trying to See"Bobby BraddockBillie Jo Spears2:10
2."Help Me Make It Through the Night"KristoffersonSammi Smith2:46
3."I Can't Get Enough of You"Jimmy PeppersBillie Jo Spears2:27
4."I Love You Because"Leon PayneLeon Payne2:52
5."Goin' Steady"Faron YoungFaron Young2:15

Release history
Region Date Format Label Ref.
North America February 1971 Vinyl Capitol Records [4]

References
  1. Unterberger, Richie. "Just Singin: Billie Jo Spears: Songs, reviews, credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  2. Huey, Steve. "Billie Jo Spears: Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
  3. Cackett, Alan (November 1978). "Billie Jo Spears". Country Music People Magazine. Vol. 9, no. 11.
  4. Spears, Billie Jo (February 1971). "Just Singin (Disc Information)". Capitol Records. ST-688.
  5. Whitburn, Joel (2008). Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2008. Record Research, Inc. ISBN 978-0-89820-177-2.
  6. "Billboard Album Reviews". Billboard. Vol. 83, no. 9. February 27, 1971. p. 36. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
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