"Whispering" Bill Anderson

"Whispering" Bill Anderson is a studio album by American country singer-songwriter Bill Anderson. It was released in June 1974 on MCA Records and was produced by Owen Bradley. The album's only single was the track "Can I Come Home to You". It was also his twenty-second studio recording and only album issued in 1974.

"Whispering" Bill Anderson
Studio album by Bill Anderson
Released	June 1974 (1974-06)
Recorded	March 1974
Studio	Bradley's Barn
Genre	Country[1]
Length	Owen Bradley
Producer	MCA Records
Bill Anderson chronology
Bill (1973) "Whispering" Bill Anderson (1974) Every Time I Turn the Radio On/Talk to Me Ohio (1975)
Singles from "Whispering" Bill Anderson
"Can I Come Home to You" Released: 1974

Background and content

"Whispering" Bill Anderson was recorded in March 1974 at Bradley's Barn, a studio located in Mount Juliet, Tennessee. The sessions were produced by Owen Bradley, Anderson's longtime musical collaborator. It was Anderson's twenty second album project and the twenty second to be recorded with Bradley. The album's title was derived from a nickname given to Anderson early in his career. The title was given to him because of the "whisper" quality of his singing voice.[2] The album consisted of 11 tracks.[1] Seven of the album's songs were written co-written by Anderson himself. The additional four track were written by others. The track, "Country Song", was written by Jack Clement, a Nashville music producer. The opening track, "Can I Come Home to You", was co-written by Jan Crutchfield and producer Buddy Killen.[2]

Release and reception

"Whispering" Bill Anderson was released in June 1974 on MCA Records, his twenty-second studio recording.[2] The album was issued as a vinyl LP record, with six songs on side one and five songs on side two of the record.[1] The project peaked at number 17 on the Billboard Top Country Albums in September 1974.[3] The album included one single, "Can I Come Home to You". Released in 1974, the song peaked at number 24 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart after spending 14 weeks on the chart.[4] The project received a positive response from Billboard in June 1974. "Again, a great collection of material sung in the Anderson style which puts him consistently at the top. It's a great variety of songs, including a little recitation, some fine ballads, an up-tempo tune or two, and real class," staff writers commented.[5]

Track listing

Side one[1]

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Can I Come Home to You"	Jerry Crutchfield Buddy Killen	2:48
2.	"Gettin' to Know You"	Bill Anderson	2:36
3.	"A Country Song"	Jack Clement	3:17
4.	"As Much as I Love You"	Anderson	2:39
5.	"I'm Happily Married (And Playing to Stay That Way)"	Anderson	2:54
6.	"Proof"	Buzz Rabin Jimmy Sadd	2:57

Side two[1]

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Mercy"	Anderson	2:11
2.	"We Made Love (But Where's the Love We Made)"	Anderson Becki Anderson	2:34
3.	"It's Just Gonna Take Some Time Getting Used To"	Anderson	2:47
4.	"The Best It's Ever Been"	Anderson	2:58
5.	"Mama's Face"	Glenn Martin	2:47

Personnel

All credits are adapted from the liner notes of "Whispering" Bill Anderson.[2]

• Bill Anderson – lead vocals
• Hal Bauksbaum – photography
• Owen Bradley – record producer

Chart performance

Chart (1974)	Peak position
US Top Country Albums (Billboard)[6]	17

Release history

Region	Date	Format	Label	Ref.
Canada	July 1973	Vinyl	MCA	[7]
United States				[2][1]

References

1. "Bill Anderson – "Whispering" Bill Andeson (1974, Vinyl)". Discogs. Retrieved April 22, 2020.
2. Anderson, Bill (June 1974). ""Whisperin" Bill Anderson (Liner Notes and Album Info)". MCA Records.
3. "Whispering Bill Anderson chart history". Billboard. Retrieved April 22, 2020.
4. ""Can I Come Home to You" chart history". Billboard. Retrieved April 22, 2020.
5. "Top Album Picks". Billboard. 86 (25): 56. June 22, 1974.
6. "Bill Anderson Chart History (Top Country Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved April 22, 2020.
7. "Bill Anderson – "Whispering" Bill Anderson (Canada release)". Discogs. Retrieved April 22, 2020.