In 1968, Colter met Waylon Jennings and he arranged a recording contract for her with his label, RCA Victor. The resulting album,1970's A Country Star is Born was a flop at the time and did not make any waves on the Country charts. However, listening to this album 39 years later, it's a masterpiece of late 60's Country.The album opens with a groovy cover of Brenda Lee's hit Too Many Rivers. By 1970, this song was already a "classic" that had been recorded by several female singers. Colter puts a nice swing on it and the arrangement has a lot more swing to it than usually heard.
The Third track on the album, I Ain't the One, is the obligatory duet with Waylon Jennings. It was released as a single, but it failed to chart. It's a good rockin' country song nonetheless. Jennings' and Colter's voice aren't always the most compatible, but the song works and considering they were already married by the time this was recorded, who am I to complain. This is the most easily available of the songs from the album however and I have to say that it does not do the rest of the album justice.
The 2nd track (Cry Softly) and the 4th track (It's Not Easy) are of the tear-jerker variety that was very popular with country music in the 60's and 70's and Colter handles the style easily. Her voice was never going to put fear in to Tammy Wynette, the queen of this genre, but they're very pleasant album filler songs.
The album continues with a very traditional arrangement of the Harlan Howard classic He Called Me Baby. It's followed by a nice little country rocker, Why You Been Gone So Long, which is just a taste of what's to come in track 7, If She's Where You Like Living. Country music in the 60's and 70's was often host to some very forward thinking women who weren't afraid to speak their minds - a radical change from the Stand By Your Man types. If She's Where You Like Living is a good tell off for the cheating partner and Colter shines on this track.
Track 8 is once again another tear jerker, The Healing Hands of Time, but track 9 is a Glen Campbell-esque song That's Just A Chance I'll Have To Take. This particular number is probably the most "commercial" of the recordings on the album and it's a mystery why RCA didn't release it as a single.
Track 10, Don't Let Him Go, is the best ballad on the album. It's a theme that the good ol' boys in country music probably liked - yes, your husband cheats on you, but Don't Let Him Go, cause he's still a good man. The lyrics are patronizing and corny, but it's still a good song.
The album ends with a change of heart though on Track 11. It's All Over Now is the woman saying 'You left me so why the hell should I take you back?' and it's Colter at her best. The rockin' country style is the type of material that suits her voice and she ends the album with a memorable track.
The over all experience of this album is very satisfying. The songs sound as fresh today as they did in 1970, but good luck getting your hands on this one. It's long out of print and originals are hard to find. Check on ebay though, because if you like good 60's country you can't go wrong with A Country Star Is Born from Jessi Colter and the team at RCA Victor.
