BRIAN 11.4.2 -- Windows

4 Star Sessions (1954-1960)

by G.E. Hewitt

Page generated on 10/1/24


Patsy Cline
Introduction

On 30 September 1954, Patsy Cline signed her first recording contract with independent label 4 Star Records. A distribution deal was negotiated with Decca, and Patsy would mostly record in Nashville. After Patsy's contract ended, 4 Star issued a series of albums on Everest Records to compete with new material in the 1960s. Today, the copyright to Patsy's 4 Star recordings is owned by Sony Music Publishing, although the session tapes have not been located.

The session logs for dates before 1959 are unavailable, and personnel is unconfirmed. Some information is taken from interviews conducted by Don Roy with musicians Harold Bradley, Ray Edenton, Buddy Harman and Don Helms. Kittra Moore offered details from Bob Moore's notebook, and historian Bill Cox has also provided valuable assistance.

The 4 Star period includes a total of 18 recording sessions that produced 51 masters, 16 singles, two extended-plays (EP) and one album. Singles are indexed with A Side / B Side titles. Album programming is found on the Issues menu. Click on the disclosure arrows to reveal a longer list of issues for some performances.


Date: November 1954
Location: Pythian Temple, 135 West 70th Street, New York
Label: Decca
Demo Session

Paul Cohen (pdr), Patsy Cline (v), Bill Peer (g), Leo Miller (p), Pete O'Brien, Gene Shiner (unk)

a. lost Turn The Cards Slowly(Sammy Masters)
b. lost This Old House(Stuart Hamblen)
c. lost Three Cigarettes In An Ashtray(Eddie Miller, W.S. Stevenson)
d. lost Always(Irving Berlin)
All titles unissued.

1. The Decca Audition
Decca executive Paul Cohen scheduled this session to audition Patsy's talent in New York. Cohen saw promise in Patsy and unsuccessfully attempted to buy her contract from 4 Star Records. Instead, a licensing arrangement was negotiated with the small label, and Cline's recordings were leased to Decca until 1960. Biographers claim the session tapes for this date are lost.

2. Richie Lisella
Patsy was introduced to Richie Lisella, manager of Teresa Brewer. He attended this session and wanted to exploit Patsy's talent. The young singer declined the opportunity because it was not extended to the musicians that accompanied her.

3. Bill Peer's Melody Boys
Personnel are reconstructed from biography and should be deemed tentative. Instead of the usual Melody Boys lineup, Peer selected former band members with more experience for the journey to New York.

4. "Crazy Arms" or "Always"
Two biographers report different titles for the last performance of this session. Both writers agree that four songs were produced and confirm the first three performances. The publication date of "Crazy Arms" cannot be determined, and the song was not popularized until 1956. Although tentative, "Always" is probably the fourth performance of the date.


Date: June 1, 1955
Location: Bradley Studios, 804 16th Avenue South, Nashville TN.
Label: Decca

Paul Cohen (pdr), Patsy Cline (v), Harold Bradley (g), Grady Martin (eg, fdl), Bobby Garrett (stg), Tommy Jackson (fdl), Owen Bradley (p), Bob Moore (b), Farris Coursey (d)

a. 100-3 / 88219 Hidin' Out(Eddie Miller, W.S. Stevenson) - 2:30
Coral 78/4561523 — Hidin' Out / Turn The Cards Slowly   (1955)
[promo] ³45PC-2 — Hidin' Out / Turn The Cards Slowly   (1955)
[promo] ³45PC-11 — Come On In / Hidin' Out   (1956)
b. 101-5 / 88220 Turn The Cards Slowly(Sammy Masters) - 2:11
Coral 78/4561523 — Hidin' Out / Turn The Cards Slowly   (1955)
[promo] ³45PC-2 — Hidin' Out / Turn The Cards Slowly   (1955)
[promo] ³45PC-11 — Come On In / Hidin' Out   (1956)
c. 102-3 / 88221 A Church, A Courtroom And Then Goodbye(Eddie Miller, W.S. Stevenson) - 3:05
Coral 78/4561464 — A Church, A Courtroom And Then Goodbye / Honky Tonk Merry Go Round   (1955)
[promo] ³45PC-1 — A Church, A Courtroom And Then Goodbye / Honky Tonk Merry Go Round   (1955)
[promo] ³45EPF-14 — A Poor Man's Roses / Come On In   (1957)
d. 103-5 / 88222 Honky Tonk Merry Go Round(Frank Simon, Stan Gardner) - 2:22
Coral 78/4561464 — A Church, A Courtroom And Then Goodbye / Honky Tonk Merry Go Round   (1955)
[promo] ³45PC-1 — A Church, A Courtroom And Then Goodbye / Honky Tonk Merry Go Round   (1955)
[promo] ³45EPF-12 — Walkin' After Midnight / I've Loved And Lost Again   (1957)
All titles on:
Coral EP81159 — Songs By Patsy Cline   (1955)
Sundown LP Box/CD001/3001 — Crazy Dreams: The 4 Star Years   (1990)
Golden Stars CD Box5290 — Crazy   (2000)

Grady Martin (eg) on b-c, (fdl) on a, d.

Owen Bradley was tasked with recording Decca artists at his studio because the label did not have its own facility in Nashville. Paul Cohen was head of Decca's country music division until his departure from the label in early 1958. Bradley assumed the role of producer when he was named Cohen's replacement that same year.


Date: January 5, 1956 [19:00-22:00]
Location: Bradley Studios, 804 16th Avenue South, Nashville TN.
Label: Decca

Paul Cohen (pdr), Patsy Cline (v), unknown (bkv), Harold Bradley (g), Grady Martin (eg), Bobby Garrett (stg), Tommy Jackson (fdl), Owen Bradley (p, dir), Bob Moore (b), Farris Coursey (d)

a. 89149 I Love You, Honey(Eddie Miller) - 2:18
Coral 78/4561583 — I Love You, Honey / Come On In   (1956)
[promo] ³45PC-11 — Come On In / Hidin' Out   (1956)
[promo] ³45EPF-12 — Walkin' After Midnight / I've Loved And Lost Again   (1957)
b. 89150 Come On In (And Make Yourself At Home)(Virgil F. Stewart) - 2:06
Coral 78/4561583 — I Love You, Honey / Come On In   (1956)
[promo] ³45PC-11 — Come On In / Hidin' Out   (1956)
[promo] ³45EPF-14 — A Poor Man's Roses / Come On In   (1957)
c. 89151hold I Cried All The Way To The Altar(Bobby Flournoy) - 2:27
Everest LP1217 — In Memoriam   (1963)
Hilltop LP6039 — Stop The World And Let Me Off   (1966)
Allegro LP862 — Patsy Cline   (1967)
d. 89152rejected I Don't Wanta(Eddie Miller, W.S. Stevenson, Durwood Haddock) - 2:24
MCA Records CS/CD Box4-10421 — The Patsy Cline Collection   (1991)
LaserLight CD15407 — Great American Legends Vol. 1: Walkin' After Midnight   (1991)
LaserLight CD15407 — Walkin' After Midnight   (1993)
All titles on:
Classics CD5550 — The Chronological Classics: Patsy Cline 1955-1957   (2009)

unknown (bkv) on b.

1. NA Numbers
Nashville master numbers were assigned at this session but are missing from the Decca master list.

2. Everest Edit
Most appearances of "I Love You, Honey" on Everest product do not contain the fiddle solos heard in the original master. Everest spliced a guitar solo from the instrumental break onto the introduction of the performance, and shortened the running time to 2:05.


Date: April 22, 1956 [19:00-22:00]
Location: Bradley Studios, 804 16th Avenue South, Nashville TN.
Label: Decca

Paul Cohen (pdr), Patsy Cline (v), Harold Bradley (g), Grady Martin (eg), Bobby Garrett (stg), Tommy Jackson (fdl), Owen Bradley (p, dir), Bob Moore (b), Farris Coursey (d)

a. NA 9342-4alt Stop, Look And Listen(George London, W.S. Stevenson) - 2:22
MCA Records CS/CD Box4-10421 — The Patsy Cline Collection   (1991)
Bear Family CD16781 — Gonna Shake This Shack Tonight: Stop, Look And Listen   (2008)
b. NA 9342-6 / 89855 Stop, Look And Listen(George London, W.S. Stevenson) - 2:21
Decca 78/4529963 — I've Loved And Lost Again / Stop, Look And Listen   (1956)
[promo] ³45EPF-16 — Try Again / Turn The Cards Slowly   (1958)
Everest Jukebox EP19-1204 — Encores   (1963)
c. NA 9343-10 / 89856 I've Loved And Lost Again(Eddie Miller) - 2:35
Decca 78/4529963 — I've Loved And Lost Again / Stop, Look And Listen   (1956)
[promo] ³45EPF-12 — Walkin' After Midnight / I've Loved And Lost Again   (1957)
Decca (PH) ¹451131 — I've Loved And Lost Again / There He Goes   (1962)
d. NA 9344-1 / 89857 Dear God(Virgil F. Stewart) - 2:32
Decca 4530794 — Dear God / He Will Do For You   (1958)
[promo] ³45AP-39 — Dear God / He Will Do For You   (1959)
Decca EP2759 — Dear God   (1963)
e. NA 9345 / 89858 He Will Do For You(Virgil F. Stewart) - 2:17
Decca 4530794 — Dear God / He Will Do For You   (1958)
[promo] ³45AP-39 — Dear God / He Will Do For You   (1959)
Decca EP2759 — Dear God   (1963)
All titles on:
Classics CD5550 — The Chronological Classics: Patsy Cline 1955-1957   (2009)

Tommy Jackson (fdl) on c-e.

The licensing agreement changed at this session, and subsequent Patsy Cline product was issued on Decca instead of subsidiary label Coral.


Date: November 8, 1956 [22:00-01:00]
Location: Bradley Studios, 804 16th Avenue South, Nashville TN.
Label: Decca

Paul Cohen (pdr), Patsy Cline (v), Harold Bradley (g), Grady Martin (eg), Don Helms (stg), Tommy Jackson (fdl), Owen Bradley (p, dir), Bob Moore (b), Farris Coursey (d)

a. NA 9539 / 101004 Walkin' After Midnight(Don Hecht, Alan Block) - 2:32
Decca 78/4530221 — Walkin' After Midnight / A Poor Man's Roses   (1957)
[promo] ³45EPF-12 — Walkin' After Midnight / I've Loved And Lost Again   (1957)
Decca LP8611 — Patsy Cline   (1957)
b. NA 9540 / 101005hold The Heart You Break May Be Your Own(Tiny Colbert, Bob Geesling) - 2:33
Everest LP1204 — Encores   (1963)
Longines Symphonette LP93489 — The Heart You Break   (1967)
Hilltop LP6054 — Miss Country Music   (1967)
c. NA 9541 / 101006hold Pick Me Up On Your Way Down(Burton Levy, Glenn Reeves, Mae Boren Axton) - 2:15
Everest LP1217 — In Memoriam   (1963)
Ditto CS10006A — Queen Of Country (Cassette One)   (1967)
Decca 4525732 — Always / Pick Me Up On Your Way Down   (1968)
d. NA 9542 / 101007 A Poor Man's Roses (Or A Rich Man's Gold)(Bob Hilliard, Milton DeLugg) - 2:44
Decca 78/4530221 — Walkin' After Midnight / A Poor Man's Roses   (1957)
[promo] ³45EPF-14 — A Poor Man's Roses / Come On In   (1957)
Everest Jukebox EP19-1204 — Encores   (1963)
e. NA 9542alt A Poor Man's Roses (Or A Rich Man's Gold)(Bob Hilliard, Milton DeLugg) - 2:43
Deluxe/Highland Music CS/CD7913 — The Late & Great Patsy Cline & Dottie West   (1992)
King/Highland Music CS/CD3810 — Country Music Hall Of Fame 1973   (1999)

Tommy Jackson (fdl) on b-c.


Date: April 24, 1957
Location: Pythian Temple, 135 West 70th Street, New York
Label: Decca
Patsy Cline (Album Sessions)

Paul Cohen (pdr), Patsy Cline (v), unknown (bkv), George Barnes (eg), Jack Pleis (p, dir), others unknown (acc)

a. 102377 Today, Tomorrow And Forever(Billy Burkes, Don Reid) - 2:37
Decca 78/4530339 — Today, Tomorrow And Forever / Try Again   (1957)
Everest LP1223 — A Legend   (1964)
Hilltop LP6001 — Today, Tomorrow And Forever   (1964)
b. 102378 Fingerprints(Don Hecht, Woodie Otto Fleener, W.S. Stevenson) - 2:46
Decca EP2542 — Patsy Cline   (1957)
Decca LP8611 — Patsy Cline   (1957)
[promo] ³45EP-21 — Three Cigarettes / Hungry For Love   (1958)
c. 102379 A Stranger In My Arms(Charlotte White, Virginia Hensley, Mary Lu Jeans) - 2:28
Decca 78/4530406 — Three Cigarettes In An Ashtray / A Stranger In My Arms   (1957)
Festival EP10379 — Patsy Cline Sings For You   (1962)
Everest Jukebox EP19-1204 — Encores   (1963)
d. 102380 Don't Ever Leave Me Again(Lillian Claiborne, Virginia Hensley, James Crawford) - 2:29
Decca LP8611 — Patsy Cline   (1957)
[promo] ³45EP-31 — Just Out Of Reach / Come On In   (1958)
Hilltop LP6001 — Today, Tomorrow And Forever   (1964)
All titles on:
Everest LP1204 — Encores   (1963)
Sundown LP Box/CD001/3001 — Crazy Dreams: The 4 Star Years   (1990)
Golden Stars CD Box5290 — Crazy   (2000)

unknown (bkv) on a-c.


Date: April 25, 1957
Location: Pythian Temple, 135 West 70th Street, New York
Label: Decca
Patsy Cline (Album Sessions)

Paul Cohen (pdr), Patsy Cline (v), Anita Kerr Singers (bkv), George Barnes (eg), Jack Pleis (p, dir), others unknown (acc)

a. 102381 Try Again(Bob Summers, Jerry Le Fors) - 1:58
Decca 78/4530339 — Today, Tomorrow And Forever / Try Again   (1957)
[promo] ³45EPF-16 — Try Again / Turn The Cards Slowly   (1958)
Everest LP1204 — Encores   (1963)
b. 102382 Too Many Secrets(Bobby Lile) - 2:18
Decca LP8611 — Patsy Cline   (1957)
[promo] ³45EP-25 — I Don't Wanta / Too Many Secrets   (1958)
Everest LP1200 — Patsy Cline's Golden Hits   (1962)
c. 102383 Then You'll Know(Bobby Lile) - 3:14
Decca LP8611 — Patsy Cline   (1957)
Decca 78/4530504 — I Don't Wanta / Then You'll Know   (1957)
[promo] ³45EP-25 — I Don't Wanta / Too Many Secrets   (1958)
d. 102384 Three Cigarettes In An Ashtray(Eddie Miller, W.S. Stevenson) - 2:15
Decca EP2542 — Patsy Cline   (1957)
Decca LP8611 — Patsy Cline   (1957)
Decca 78/4530406 — Three Cigarettes In An Ashtray / A Stranger In My Arms   (1957)
All titles on:
Sundown LP Box/CD001/3001 — Crazy Dreams: The 4 Star Years   (1990)
MCA Records CS/CD Box4-10421 — The Patsy Cline Collection   (1991)
Golden Stars CD Box5290 — Crazy   (2000)

The Anita Kerr Singers consist of Anita Kerr (soprano, leader), Dottie Dillard (alto), Guilford Wright (tenor) and Louis Nunley (baritone) for Cline's recordings.


Date: May 22, 1957 [18:00-21:00]
Location: Bradley Studios, 804 16th Avenue South, Nashville TN.
Label: Decca
Patsy Cline (Album Sessions)

Paul Cohen (pdr), Patsy Cline (v), Anita Kerr Singers (bkv), Jack Shook (rg), Hank Garland, Grady Martin (eg), Owen Bradley (p, dir), Bob Moore (b), Harold Bradley (eb)

a. NA 9829-1 / 102680 That Wonderful Someone(Gertrude Burg) - 2:32
Decca EP2542 — Patsy Cline   (1957)
Decca LP8611 — Patsy Cline   (1957)
[promo] ³45EP-21 — Three Cigarettes / Hungry For Love   (1958)
b. NA 9829-2alt That Wonderful Someone(Gertrude Burg) - 2:20
Ditto CS10006B — Queen Of Country (Cassette Two)   (1967)
Pickwick CD841 — Unforgettable   (1986)
LaserLight CD15408 — Great American Legends Vol. 2: Today, Tomorrow And Forever   (1991)
LaserLight CD15409 — Don't Ever Leave Me Again   (1993)
c. NA 9830-1rejected (Write Me) In Care Of The Blues(Eddie Miller, W.S. Stevenson) - 2:37
Bear Family CD16781 — Gonna Shake This Shack Tonight: Stop, Look And Listen   (2008)
d. NA 9830-1.3 / 102681splice (Write Me) In Care Of The Blues(Eddie Miller, W.S. Stevenson) - 2:36
Decca LP8611 — Patsy Cline   (1957)
Everest LP1200 — Patsy Cline's Golden Hits   (1962)
Everest Jukebox EP19-6200 — Patsy Cline's Golden Hits   (1962)

1. "That Wonderful Someone"
An excerpt of the ending was recorded after the second take, for splicing if necessary. Instead, Decca issued the first take and the latter bears the alternate designation.

2. "In Care Of The Blues"
There is only one complete take of this performance. Patsy's final note goes sharp, and after two false starts, the ending was re-recorded in three successive excerpts. The third excerpt was spliced onto the full take to create the master recording.


Date: May 23, 1957 #1 [15:00-18:00]
Location: Bradley Studios, 804 16th Avenue South, Nashville TN.
Label: Decca
Patsy Cline (Album Sessions)

Paul Cohen (pdr), Patsy Cline (v), Anita Kerr Singers (bkv), Jack Shook (rg), Hank Garland, Grady Martin (eg), Owen Bradley (p, dir), Bob Moore (b), Harold Bradley (eb)

a. NA 9831 / 102682 Hungry For Love(Eddie Miller, W.S. Stevenson) - 2:29
Decca EP2542 — Patsy Cline   (1957)
[promo] ³45EP-21 — Three Cigarettes / Hungry For Love   (1958)
Everest ²452011 — Hungry For Love / Then You'll Know   (1963)
b. NA 9832 / 102683 I Can't Forget(W.S. Stevenson, Carl Belew) - 2:27
Decca (PH) ¹451156 — That Wonderful Someone / I Can't Forget   (1962)
Everest ²4520005 — I Can't Forget / I Don't Wanta   (1962)
Everest Jukebox EP19-6200 — Patsy Cline's Golden Hits   (1962)
Both titles on:
Decca LP8611 — Patsy Cline   (1957)
Everest LP1200 — Patsy Cline's Golden Hits   (1962)
Everest LP1223 — A Legend   (1964)

Date: May 23, 1957 #2 [19:00-22:00]
Location: Bradley Studios, 804 16th Avenue South, Nashville TN.
Label: Decca
Patsy Cline (Album Sessions)

Paul Cohen (pdr), Patsy Cline (v), Anita Kerr Singers (bkv), Hank Garland, Grady Martin (eg), Owen Bradley (p, dir), Bob Moore (b), Harold Bradley (eb), Farris Coursey (d)

a. NA 9833-1 / 102684 I Don't Wanta(Eddie Miller, W.S. Stevenson, Durwood Haddock) - 2:22
Decca LP8611 — Patsy Cline   (1957)
Decca 78/4530504 — I Don't Wanta / Then You'll Know   (1957)
[promo] ³45EP-25 — I Don't Wanta / Too Many Secrets   (1958)
b. NA 9833-2alt I Don't Wanta(Eddie Miller, W.S. Stevenson, Durwood Haddock) - 2:15
Bear Family CD16781 — Gonna Shake This Shack Tonight: Stop, Look And Listen   (2008)
c. NA 9834 / 102685 Ain't No Wheels On This Ship (We Can't Roll)(Wayland Chandler, W.S. Stevenson) - 1:56
Decca LP8611 — Patsy Cline   (1957)
[promo] ³45EP-25 — I Don't Wanta / Too Many Secrets   (1958)
Everest LP1200 — Patsy Cline's Golden Hits   (1962)

Date: December 13, 1957 [14:00-18:00]
Location: Bradley Studios, 804 16th Avenue South, Nashville TN.
Label: Decca

Paul Cohen (pdr), Patsy Cline (v), Anita Kerr Singers (bkv), Hank Garland, Grady Martin (eg), Owen Bradley (p, org, dir), unknown (vib), Bob Moore (b), Farris Coursey (d)

a. NA 10039-5½, 103878 Stop The World (And Let Me Off)(Carl Belew, W.S. Stevenson) - 2:28
Decca 78/4530542 — Stop The World (And Let Me Off) / Walking Dream   (1958)
Everest LP1200 — Patsy Cline's Golden Hits   (1962)
Everest Jukebox EP19-6200 — Patsy Cline's Golden Hits   (1962)
b. NA 10040-2 / 103879 Walking Dream(Hal Willis, Ginger Willis) - 2:18
Decca 78/4530542 — Stop The World (And Let Me Off) / Walking Dream   (1958)
Everest LP1217 — In Memoriam   (1963)
Vocalion LP73753 — Here's Patsy Cline   (1965)
c. NA 10041-2 / 103880 Cry Not For Me(Don Hecht, Jack Moon) - 2:31
Decca 4530846 — Yes, I Understand / Cry Not For Me   (1959)
[promo] ³45EP-41 — Cry Not For Me / Yes, I Understand   (1959)
Everest LP1217 — In Memoriam   (1963)
d. NA 10042-1 / 103881 If I Could See The World (Through The Eyes Of A Child)(Sammy Masters, Richard Pope, Tex Satterwhite) - 2:52
Decca 4530746 — If I Could See The World / Just Out Of Reach   (1958)
[promo] ³45EP-38 — Just Out Of Reach / I Can See An Angel   (1958)
Everest LP1200 — Patsy Cline's Golden Hits   (1962)
All titles on:
Sundown LP Box/CD001/3001 — Crazy Dreams: The 4 Star Years   (1990)
Varese Sarabande CD6165 — 25 All-Time Greatest 4 Star Recordings   (2000)
Bescol CD102-4 — Her Original 4 Star Hits   (2005)
Classics CD5903 — The Chronological Classics: Patsy Cline 1957-1960   (2009)
Jasmine CD3618-9 — Just Out Of Reach   (2012)

Owen Bradley (p) on a, (org) on c-d; unknown (vib) on c-d.

The producer called a half take for a., presumably due to a false start.


Date: February 13, 1958 #1 [15:00-19:00]
Location: Bradley Studios, 804 16th Avenue South, Nashville TN.
Label: Decca

Owen Bradley (pdr, dir), Patsy Cline (v), Anita Kerr Singers (bkv), Hank Garland (eg), Grady Martin (bnj, eb), Bob Moore (b), Buddy Harman (d), Bill McElhiney (t), Beverly LeCroy (tb)

a. NA 10122 / 104577 Just Out Of Reach(Virgil F. Stewart) - 2:27
Decca 4530746 — If I Could See The World / Just Out Of Reach   (1958)
[promo] ³45EP-31 — Just Out Of Reach / Come On In   (1958)
[promo] ³45EP-38 — Just Out Of Reach / I Can See An Angel   (1958)
b. NA 10123 / 104578 I Can See An Angel(Kay Adelman) - 2:24
Decca 4530706 — I Can See An Angel / Never No More   (1958)
[promo] ³45EP-38 — Just Out Of Reach / I Can See An Angel   (1958)
Everest LP1200 — Patsy Cline's Golden Hits   (1962)
c. NA 10124 / 104582 Come On In (And Make Yourself At Home)(Virgil F. Stewart) - 1:51
Decca 4530659 — Come On In / Let The Teardrops Fall   (1958)
[promo] ³45EP-31 — Just Out Of Reach / Come On In   (1958)
Everest LP1217 — In Memoriam   (1963)
All titles on:
Pair LP/CS/CD1236 — The Legendary Patsy Cline   (1988)
Sundown LP Box/CD001/3001 — Crazy Dreams: The 4 Star Years   (1990)
Bescol CD102-4 — Her Original 4 Star Hits   (2005)
Classics CD5903 — The Chronological Classics: Patsy Cline 1957-1960   (2009)
Jasmine CD3618-9 — Just Out Of Reach   (2012)
Goldenlane Records LP2244 — Walkin' After Midnight: The Essentials   (2021)

Grady Martin (bnj) on c, (eb) on a-b; Bill McElhiney (t) on c; Beverly LeCroy (tb) on c.


Date: February 13, 1958 #2 [20:00-23:00]
Location: Bradley Studios, 804 16th Avenue South, Nashville TN.
Label: Decca

Owen Bradley (pdr, dir), Patsy Cline (v), Grady Martin (g, eb), Hank Garland (eg), Floyd Cramer (p), Bob Moore (b), Buddy Harman (d)

a. NA 10125 / 104579 Let The Teardrops Fall(Buster Beam, Lawton Jiles, W.S. Stevenson) - 2:37
Decca 4530659 — Come On In / Let The Teardrops Fall   (1958)
[promo] ³45EP-31 — Just Out Of Reach / Come On In   (1958)
Metro LP540 — Gotta Lot Of Rhythm In My Soul   (1965)
b. NA 10126 / 104580 Never No More(Rita Ross, Alan Block) - 2:37
Decca 4530706 — I Can See An Angel / Never No More   (1958)
[promo] ³45EP-38 — Just Out Of Reach / I Can See An Angel   (1958)
Longines Symphonette LP93489 — The Heart You Break   (1967)
c. NA 10127 / 104581hold If I Could Only Stay Asleep(Ethel Bassey, Wayland Chandler) - 2:40
Hilltop LP6016 — I Can't Forget You   (1966)
Columbia Musical Treasury LP5280 — Portrait Of Patsy   (1969)
Hilltop LP6072 — In Care Of The Blues   (1969)
All titles on:
Everest LP1217 — In Memoriam   (1963)
Everest LP1223 — A Legend   (1964)
Vee-Jay LP6000 — Patsy Cline Forever   (1977)

Grady Martin (g) on c, (eb) on a-b.


Date: January 8, 1959 [17:00-20:30]
Location: Bradley Studios, 804 16th Avenue South, Nashville TN.
Label: Decca

Owen Bradley (pdr, dir), Patsy Cline (v), The Jordanaires (bkv), Hank Garland, Grady Martin (eg), Floyd Cramer (p), Bob Moore (b), Harold Bradley (ebx), Buddy Harman (d), unknown (hnd)

a. NA 10554 / 106452hold I'm Moving Along(Johnny Starr) - 2:08
Decca EP2768 — How Can I Face Tomorrow   (1964)
Decca LP74586 — That's How A Heartache Begins   (1964)
Decca EP2802 — Love Letters In The Sand   (1965)
b. NA 10555-16 / 106453 I'm Blue Again(Buster Beam, Lawton Jiles, W.S. Stevenson) - 2:08
Decca 4530929 — Gotta Lot Of Rhythm In My Soul / I'm Blue Again   (1959)
[promo] ³45EP-42 — Gotta Lot Of Rhythm In My Soul / I'm Blue Again   (1959)
Decca EP2768 — How Can I Face Tomorrow   (1964)
c. NA 10556 / 106454hold Love, Love, Love Me Honey Do(Buster Beam, Lawton Jiles, W.S. Stevenson) - 2:05
Decca EP2768 — How Can I Face Tomorrow   (1964)
Everest ²452052 — Love, Love, Love Me Honey Do / Gotta Lot Of Rhythm In My Soul   (1964)
Decca LP74586 — That's How A Heartache Begins   (1964)
d. NA 10556alt Love, Love, Love Me Honey Do(Buster Beam, Lawton Jiles, W.S. Stevenson) - 2:07
Bear Family CD16781 — Gonna Shake This Shack Tonight: Stop, Look And Listen   (2008)

unknown (hnd) on d.

1. The Jordanaires
This vocal group consists of Gordon Stoker (tenor, manager), Neal Matthews, Jr. (tenor, leader), Hoyt Hawkins (baritone) and Ray Walker (bass) for Cline's recordings.

2. Alternate
Handclaps were overdubbed onto the alternate take of "Love, Love, Love Me Honey Do" and the performance was mixed to mono.


Date: January 9, 1959 [14:20-17:00]
Location: Bradley Studios, 804 16th Avenue South, Nashville TN.
Label: Decca

Owen Bradley (pdr, dir), Patsy Cline (v), The Jordanaires (bkv), Hank Garland, Grady Martin (eg), Floyd Cramer (p), Bob Moore (b), Harold Bradley (ebx), Farris Coursey (d), unknown (hnd)

a. NA 10557 / 106455underdub Yes, I Understand(Buster Beam, Lawton Jiles, W.S. Stevenson) - 2:52
Vocalion LP73753 — Here's Patsy Cline   (1965)
b. NA 10557 / 106455mono Yes, I Understand(Buster Beam, Lawton Jiles, W.S. Stevenson) - 2:52
Decca 4530846 — Yes, I Understand / Cry Not For Me   (1959)
[promo] ³45EP-41 — Cry Not For Me / Yes, I Understand   (1959)
Hilltop LP6001 — Today, Tomorrow And Forever   (1964)
c. NA 10558 / 106456mono Gotta Lot Of Rhythm In My Soul(Barbara Vaughan, W.S. Stevenson) - 2:22
Decca 4530929 — Gotta Lot Of Rhythm In My Soul / I'm Blue Again   (1959)
[promo] ³45EP-42 — Gotta Lot Of Rhythm In My Soul / I'm Blue Again   (1959)
Everest ²452052 — Love, Love, Love Me Honey Do / Gotta Lot Of Rhythm In My Soul   (1964)

unknown (hnd) on c.

1. Schedule
The Decca sheets confirm this session began at 14:20, although it was scheduled to start at 14:00.

2. Overdub Elements
The handclaps on c. were probably overdubbed after the initial recording took place, as done at the previous session.


Date: July 3, 1959 [12:30-15:30]
Location: Bradley Studios, 804 16th Avenue South, Nashville TN.
Label: Decca

Owen Bradley (pdr, dir), Patsy Cline (v), The Jordanaires (bkv), Hank Garland, Grady Martin (eg), Floyd Cramer (p), Bob Moore (b), Buddy Harman (d)

a. NA 10789 / 107844 Life's Railway To Heaven(M.E. Abbey, Charles Davis Tillman) - 2:51
Longines Symphonette LP93489 — The Heart You Break   (1967)
Hilltop LP6148 — Country Music Hall Of Fame   (1974)
Compact Classics CDFPF05D — Country Legends   (1989)
b. NA 10790 / 107845 Just A Closer Walk With Thee(Traditional) - 2:46
Longines Symphonette LP93488 — Stop The World   (1967)
Ditto CS10006A — Queen Of Country (Cassette One)   (1967)
Hilltop LP6072 — In Care Of The Blues   (1969)
Both titles on:
Decca EP2759 — Dear God   (1963)
Festival EP10727 — Just A Closer Walk With Thee   (1963)
Vocalion LP73753 — Here's Patsy Cline   (1965)

Date: January 27, 1960 #1 [19:30-01:00]
Location: Bradley Studios, 804 16th Avenue South, Nashville TN.
Label: Decca

Owen Bradley (pdr, dir), Patsy Cline (v), Hank Garland, Grady Martin (eg), Jimmy Day (stg), Floyd Cramer (p), Bob Moore (b), Harold Bradley (ebx), Buddy Harman (d)

a. NA 10964 / 108693 Lovesick Blues(Irving Mills, Cliff Friend) - 2:21
Decca 4531061 — Lovesick Blues / How Can I Face Tomorrow   (1960)
Decca EP2703 — I Fall To Pieces   (1961)
Decca LP74393 — On Stage At The Grand Ole Opry   (1964)
b. NA 10965 / 108694underdub How Can I Face Tomorrow(Buster Beam, Lawton Jiles, W.S. Stevenson) - 2:19
Vocalion LP73753 — Here's Patsy Cline   (1965)
Bear Family CD16781 — Gonna Shake This Shack Tonight: Stop, Look And Listen   (2008)
c. NA 10965 / 108694mono How Can I Face Tomorrow(Buster Beam, Lawton Jiles, W.S. Stevenson) - 2:19
Decca 4531061 — Lovesick Blues / How Can I Face Tomorrow   (1960)
[promo] ³45EP-43 — How Can I Face Tomorrow / A Church, A Courtroom And Then Goodbye   (1960)
Decca EP2768 — How Can I Face Tomorrow   (1964)

Don Roy combines the performances of January 27, 1960 into one session, although Bob Moore received payment for two Patsy Cline sessions on this date. The break split is unknown, and the scheduled time for the combined session is displayed for both. The studio logs confirm the first session began at 19:30, although it was scheduled to start at 19:00.


Date: January 27, 1960 #2 [19:30-01:00]
Location: Bradley Studios, 804 16th Avenue South, Nashville TN.
Label: Decca

Owen Bradley (pdr, dir), Patsy Cline (v), Hank Garland (eg), Grady Martin (eg, fdl), Jimmy Day (stg), Floyd Cramer (p), Bob Moore (b), Harold Bradley (ebx), Buddy Harman (d)

a. NA 10966 / 108695 There He Goes(Eddie Miller, Durwood Haddock, W.S. Stevenson) - 2:25
Decca 4531128 — Crazy Dreams / There He Goes   (1960)
Decca EP2703 — I Fall To Pieces   (1961)
Decca (PH) ¹451131 — I've Loved And Lost Again / There He Goes   (1962)
b. NA 10967 / 108696underdub Crazy Dreams(Buster Beam, Lawton Jiles, W.S. Stevenson) - 2:33
Decca LP74586 — That's How A Heartache Begins   (1964)
Sundown LP Box/CD001/3001 — Crazy Dreams: The 4 Star Years   (1990)
Varese Sarabande CD6165 — 25 All-Time Greatest 4 Star Recordings   (2000)
c. NA 10967 / 108696mono Crazy Dreams(Buster Beam, Lawton Jiles, W.S. Stevenson) - 2:33
Decca 4531128 — Crazy Dreams / There He Goes   (1960)
Everest ²452060 — There He Goes / Crazy Dreams   (1965)
Hilltop LP6039 — Stop The World And Let Me Off   (1966)

Grady Martin (eg) on a, (fdl) on b-c.


Sessions Reported: 18

Performances Reported: 64

Unique Songs Reported: 51

Unique Issues Reported: 192