Croonin’

‘Snowbird’, from Anne Murray’s second album, brought her a breakthrough in 1970. ‘A Love Song’, written by Kenny Loggins, earned her a country Grammy, while ‘You Needed Me’ carried her to the top of the American pop chart and brought a pop vocal Grammy. She became one of Canada’s defining singers, moving naturally between country and pop.

This was her first album after leaving her long-standing record-company home, and it marked a deliberate change of musical setting. Rather than more contemporary country-pop, she chose the 1950s hits she had heard as a child beside her parents’ ears. The idea had been with her since hearing Harry Nilsson’s A Little Touch of Schmilsson in the Night.

Tommy West, who had worked with Jim Croce, produced. The leisurely backing gives Murray’s rich alto room to resonate, making this a thoroughly comfortable and graceful collection.