Ronnie Dawson is best remembered as a Texas rockabilly legend, and rightly so. But his career was long and varied, and C&W fans should not overlook the few sides he cut for Columbia in the mid 60s. Dropping the diminutive from his first name is symbolic of what these sides were shooting for – adult themes for the countrypolitan audience. The lush production here presages Billy Sherrill, and really fits the mood of the song. And that’s really what this record has going for it, mood. Ron’s close-miked vocal is intimate and vulnerable, and the arrangement emphasizes the push/pull of tension/release in the melody. Listen through a couple times and see if you don’t agree – countrypolitan doesn’t get much better than this.