Bedtime Story

AMG Review of Bedtime Story

Stephen Cook
All Music Guide

Tammy Wynette possessed one of the most distinct and powerful voices in country music. On several albums cut during her late-'60s and early-'70s peak, she seamlessly combined the raw twang of vintage honky tonk with the vocal suppleness that the pop-friendly and slick-sounding countrypolitan style demanded. As was the case with many of her prime releases, Billy Sherrill produced 1973's Bedtime Story, deftly showing his widescreen touch with a fetching blend of strings, vocal harmonies, and a variety of crisp instrumental textures. Wynette is in fine form as well, delivering heartbreak and determination in equal measure. Besides the hit title track (later found on her divorce concept album, Kids Say the Darndest Things), there are several top-notch tracks like "I'm Gonna Keep on Loving Him" and "Tonight My Baby's Coming Home." Along with such other fine original albums as Stand by Your Man and D-I-V-O-R-C-E, Bedtime Story is a sure bet for fans seeking something beyond the slew of Wynette retrospectives.