RSG classic albums #1 - Touch 'Em with Love

Bobbie Gentry
Touch 'Em With Love Capitol 1969

The first in an occasional series introducing some of our all time favourite albums. We kick off with this sleeping giant from the gorgeous Bobbie Gentry...

'Touch 'Em With Love' was Bobbie's fifth album release on Capitol records. Most people will remember the divine Bobbie Gentry for her work with Glen Campbell, her most famous composition 'Ode to Billie Joe' and finally her striking good looks that haven't dated one bit (check out that picture, wow!). But it's her fairly obscure 1969 would be classic that best captures her raw and underappreciated talent.

Bobbie Gentry's songs go much further than capturing the essence of cool country music. She incorporates the blues, soul and gospel all wrapped up with a sultry, husky, smoky vocal style all of her own. A voice that can be both warm and soothing yet somehow at the same time, feel cold, distant and troubled.

Take the good ol' foot tapper that is 'Greyhound Goin' Somewhere' a country tinged cruisin' gem in a similar vein to 'Everybody's Talkin' but with a breathless vocal to make your toes curl. The upbeat gospel tinged 'Touch 'Em With Love' is packed with an uplifting positivity and a killer female choir that will make you repent for even thinking about doubting such a natural beauty. The equally wistful 'Seasons Come Seasons Go' conjures up dreamy images of warm cosy, lazy Sunday mornings of days gone by.

The three fantastic interpretations of classic songs included here also defy belief. Hal David and Burt Bacharach's swoon some ballad 'I'll Never Fall In Love Again' features Bobbie at her angelic best. 'Where's The Playground, Johnny' is the sweeping, orchestrated epic you'd expect from a Jimmy Webb penned song. Most impressive of all though is the sexy take on 'Son Of A Preacher Man' a song that has been done by the best of 'em, Aretha, Dusty and co. Gentry's version is an equally tasty soulful groove. Elsewhere the big production creates a mighty wall of sound combined with Bobbie Gentry's yearning voice for an overwhelming and absorbing experience that begs repeated listening. Only problem with the album is, it's too damn short!

File along with the mighty fine 'Dusty In Memphis' for two examples of the finest female white soul ever recorded.

Touch 'Em With Love was re-issued back in the 90s by Rev-Ola but is long out of print. It is now available as a 2 on 1 CD coupled with the album 'Ode To Bille Joe' on Raven. You can purchase it here. Check out this fantastic footage courtesy of You Tube showing Bobbie belting out 'Touch 'Em With Love' on the Morecambe and Wise show.