Love, Prison, Wisdom and Heartaches

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Love, Prison, Wisdom and Heartaches
Studio album by
Connie Smith
ReleasedApril 11, 2024 (2024-04-11)
StudioEast Iris Studios
GenreTraditional country[1]
LabelFat Possum
ProducerMarty Stuart
Connie Smith chronology
The Cry of the Heart
(2021) 		Love, Prison, Wisdom and Heartaches
(2024)

Love, Prison, Wisdom and Heartaches is a studio album by American country artist Connie Smith. It was released on April 11, 2024, via Fat Possum Records. It is the 37th solo studio album in Smith's recording career and is a collection of 12 tracks. The album contains covers of songs previously recorded by artists. Since its release, the album has received positive reviews from critics.

Background[edit]

Connie Smith has been considered among country music's most "underrated" and "influential" artists. She first became known for a string of top ten singles beginning with 1964's eight-week number one US country song "Once a Day". After her commercial success waned in the late 1970s, she settled into domestic life and but continued to sporadically return to her country career. This was in part due to the personal and professional collaboration she developed with Marty Stuart beginning in the 1990s. Since 1998, she has released four studio albums with her most recent being 2021's The Cry of the Heart (issued on Fat Possum Records).[2] Fat Possum would also release Love, Prison, Wisdom and Heartaches.[3]

Recording and content[edit]

Love, Prison, Wisdom and Heartaches was produced by Smith's husband and musical collaborator Marty Stuart.[3][4] It was recorded at East Iris Studios in Nashville, Tennessee.[5] Unlike her most recent album projects, the collection is a series of cover songs. However, Smith herself did not describe the album as a covers disc. "I’m singing on behalf of my friends. Hoping to share them while passing along their songs."[3] The album features songs first recorded by Merle Haggard, Loretta Lynn, George Jones and Dottie West.[1]

Release and critical reception[edit]

Love, Wisdom, Prison and Heartaches was given a surprise digital release on April 11, 2024.[1] The physical version of the album will be released on May 24, 2024.[6] The album has since received positive reviews. Billboard wrote, "Smith’s voice is still an instrument of formidable power and style, while this gorgeous record is an essential listen for fans of old-school country."[1] The Kingsport Times-News gave the disc a positive review as well, commenting, "Embedded within the tears and fears and aching breaking heart of Smith’s new album stands like a statue the quest for hope."[7]

Track listing[edit]

Love, Prison, Wisdom and Heartaches[8][5]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."The Other Side of You"William Broadwell Morgan3:00
2."Once More"Robert James Owens2:34
3."One of These Days"Vince Matthews2:15
4."If You Won't Tell on Me (I Won't Tell on You)"Dallas Frazier2:45
5."Drifting and Dreaming of You"Jesse McReynolds3:07
6."Country Girl"
3:01
7."World of Forgotten People"Loretta Lynn2:09
8."Seattle"
2:56
9."The Fugitive"
3:23
10."End of the World"
2:44
11."Beneath Still Waters"Frazier3:11
12."The Wayward Wind"
3:23

Personnel[edit]

All credits are adapted from the liner notes of Love, Prison, Wisdom and Heartaches. All session players are credited under the title "musician".[5]

Musical personnel

Release history[edit]

Region Date Format Label Ref.
North America April 11, 2024
  • Music download
  • streaming
 Fat Possum Records [8]
May 24, 2024
  • Compact disc
  • vinyl LP
 [6][5]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d Nicholson, Jessica. "8 Must-Hear New Country Songs: Shaboozey, Riley Green, Morgan Wade & More". Billboard. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
  2. ^ Bush, John. "Connie Smith Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
  3. ^ a b c "Connie Smith - Love, Prison, Wisdom and Heartaches". Fat Possum Records. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
  4. ^ Edwards, Clayton (April 11, 2024). "New Country and Americana Albums for April 12, 2024: New Music from Connie Smith, ERNEST, and More". American Songwriter. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
  5. ^ a b c d Smith, Connie (May 24, 2024). "Love, Prison, Wisdom and Heartaches (Liner Notes)". Fat Possum Records. FP1837-2 (CD); FP-1837 (LP).
  6. ^ a b "Country Music Hall of Fame Artist Connie Smith Releases Her 55th Album, LOVE, PRISON, WISDOM AND HEARTACHES". The Country Note. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
  7. ^ Netherland, Tom (April 19, 2024). "Records and Roots: Connie Smith delivers with new album". Kingsport Times-News. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
  8. ^ a b "Love, Prison, Wisdom and Heartaches -- album by Connie Smith". Apple Music. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
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