Tammy Wynette Album: “Higher Ground”

Released in 1987 this CD captures Tammy at her finest. This project consists mostly of ballads in the true, traditional country vein.

What makes this project so distinguishable are the production values. Produced by Steve Buckingham, Wynette has a distinguished panel of background vocalists such as Vince Gill, Ricky Skaggs, Emmylou Harris, Vern Gosdin, The O'Kanes, and more. Also, the finest musicians ever assembled in my opinion.

Every song here could and should have been a number one hit for Tammy.

The song boasts her last top ten hit called "Your Love" where she is backed by Ricky Skaggs. With its dobro and fiddle it is an uptempo bluegrass tinged tune and Tammy is at her best. The follow-up single, which in my opinion is the finest cut on the album is called "Talking to Myself Again". Backed by the O'Kanes this country shuffle waltz stands among the best that Tammy ever recorded. I prefer this one even to her earlier stuff. Yet, because of lack of promotion or support from her label, the song became only a minor hit for her...it reached number 16 on the Billboard charts. It should have been a number one!!

The rest of the tunes are no filler either. This CD may be found in used CD stores or by purchasing it here used. If you are a Tammy Wynette fan, you will not be disappointed with this. This work is a masterpiece on all counts and possibly the best CD Tammy put out after she had peaked in her distinguished career. It also proved that she still had what it took to make us cry, laugh and know why she was one of the few 'evergreens' in country music. Don't miss this one, folks. Find it and give it a listen. You'll see....if you don't agree I miss my guess.

In 1987, Tammy took the world of country music by surprise with this, her only acoustic album. Previously, her albums had always been sweetened with strings, but there are none of those here. Her original producer, Billy Sherrill, may have thought that Tammy needed strings backing her to sound at her best. Subsequent producers followed Bill's example, yet this album (with Steve Buckingham as producer) proves that Tammy could sound great in any setting.

The album features several guests, mainly as backing singers rather than duets. Some of the background singers are hard to make out so I wouldn't recommend buying this album just because a particular singer is in the guest list. A full list of guests follows at the end of my review. The songs are mainly ballads and the acoustic backing, like many of the background vocals, is restrained.

None of songs are well known but some are covers while some of the original songs have since been covered by others, so it is possible that one or two songs may be familiar to you. The album opens with Your love, Tammy's last country top ten hit (though of course this pre-dates her last major international pop hit, Justified and ancient, which is very different from anything here). Tempted is a cover of a song previously recorded by Don Williams. Slow burning fire previously appeared on Ladies choice, an album of duets featuring George Jones with various country queens. Talking to myself again, the follow-up single to Your love, made the country top twenty.

I have heard nearly all Tammy's original albums but this is my favorite. It does not contain any of her famous songs but Tammy was not fashionable when she recorded this album.

Tracks with supporting vocal credits

Your love - Ricky Skaggs (background)

Higher ground - Larry, Steve and Rudy Gatlin (background)

I bought this album because I love the voice of Tammy and how she puts her whole heart into her music. "Beneath The Painted Sky" is especially heart warming. Takes the listener back in time to a place of comfort and safety provided by a loving father. Many of us didn't know such a happy place, but our hearts go there with Tammy; she's that good at reaching into our hearts and transporting us with her to that special place. And what a great reminder in "There's No Heart Too Strong It will Not Break", a reminder that we are all vulnerable when we truly love. We can be hurt, and often are.

This is an acoustic album. Real country from that era when country music had not crossed-over and become a hybrid by mixing with pop music. If you want to hear the real country sound this album's for you.

This rare 1987 album by Tammy Wynette is one of my all-time favorites, and notoriously hard to find. Too bad, because it boasts some great songs and great production. I was fortunate to find the album on CD just today, after a long search. Her last Top 20 hit, "Your Love" (#12 in Billboard, 1987) was the lead-off single, and has also always been a favorite of mine. I was not a huge Tammy fan when I originally purchased this album, but this collection was prime stuff. Find it if you can. All the songs are in the neo-traditional style which was gaining ground at the time of its release. If you can find it, buy it...you won't be disappointed.