Bobbi Martin takes on Harper Valley PTA

  

Bobbi Martin 45 single Harper Valley PTA / I Think of You. 

Bobbi was from Baltimore and her producer Henry was fixated on her having a country sound. Maybe because of her country accent or because of her closeness to country folks. This led him to giving her the title song Harper Valley PTA to record at the same time, and even before Jeannie C. Reilly. Bobbi's version of the song was chaotic and very pop/ rock. It would only go to #114 on the bubbling under billboard while the other now "standard" country version would become a massive #1 hit. 

With this song, Bobbi had the chance to record her first album on her new label, United Artists. The album was titled unsurprisingly "Harper Valley PTA," a pure country album with covers of "Misty Blue," and "Gentle on Your Mind," being staples on the album. These songs were already becoming classics in the field. Songs like "Empty Arms," and "Be Mine," were done with slow arrangements," while "With Pen in Hand," was incredibly upbeat, a feat I have never heard done by anyone else. 

 Some rarer songs on the album included are "You'll Cry Tomorrow," and "He Called Me Baby." The last one later recorded by Candi Staton. "You'll Cry Tomorrow," is really one of my favorite country songs. It stings when she sings the lyrics, "I'll be long time gone," referring to when the man thinks back on her, but she has already moved on. 

 Bobbi sings a cover of "Little Green Apples," another staple song in the style of r&b, pop and country. One of the best combinations of a genre there is in the opinion of this columnist. 

 Bobbi sings her own composition of "I Think of You,' the B-side of "Harper," included in this album and introduces a new song in "I Love Him," written by Les Reed. This was a expert composition and, in my opinion, should've been released immediately. Forget about Harper Valley PTA, this was her top 40 record. Once you hear it, you can tell it's a hit! This song could've shot up in the top ten easily, maybe #1. It's too bad. 

It would be another year or so before Bobbi would have her big hit with "For the love of him" in early '70. 






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