Don't Ever Leave Me Again

A nice collection of Cline in her (mostly) hard country mode, with special emphasis on crying-in-your-beer weepers. Highlights include the gloriously dysfunctional title song, which Cline renders with an uncharacteristic but nonetheless convincing Elvis-like growl; "Life's Railway to Heaven," an interesting extended metaphor with backup vocals obviously inspired by the Browns 1959 hit "The Three Bells;" Walkin' Dream," whose faux Jordannaires harmony were probably employed in an early attempt at crossing over to the pop (read teenage) market; and the guilt-ridden gospel song "Hidin' Out," in which Cline bemoans the fact that she "didn't know Jesus, not even his name."