Bobbie Gentry: Ode To Billie Joe (180g) (Limited Edition) LP

Label: Pure Pleasure, 1967

Bobbie Gentry's first album from 1967 is a masterpiece, it's that simple. An album full of beguilingly beautiful songs - with the exception of one all written by Gentry himself. The album is a simple, straightforward collection of gems, performed with a smoky voice, mostly with the simplest guitar accompaniment, but with imaginative, almost psychedelic twists in every piece. This album is similar in style and feel to Rodriguez's impressive "Cold Fact", which came out three years later. If you compare the albums, you get the impression that the later album could have been inspired by Gentry's "Ode To Billy Joe". It can also easily be compared to Dusty Springfield's "In Memphis", because of its sheer intimacy and soul feeling, and is in the same league as far as music is concerned.
After this first album Gentry switched to a more commercial track, which makes "Ode To Billy Joe" an important and outstanding album. It is highly recommended, especially since it has now
been remastered
by Sean Magee at Abbey Road Studios
Reviews

"She had everything: beauty, education, the talent to write gripping songs, and a voice that went deep under her skin." (Rolling Stone, 10 / 2010)

Tracklisting
1 Mississippi Delta
2 I Saw An Angel Die
3 Chickasaw Country Child
4 Sunday Best
5 Niki Hoeky
6 Papa, Woncha Let Me Go To Town With You
7 Bugs
8 Hurry, Tuesday Child
9 Lazy Willie
10 Ode To Billie Joe