Night Life

Cover is giving stalker, album was alright.

A bit too much pedal steel for me, but otherwise at the better end of 60s country albums. Hell of a backing band, too: Willie Nelson, Johnny Paycheck, Floyd Cramer all had massive careers of their own.

I picture on a lonely street, in a dimly lit bar, with scattered cowboys, distanced from one another, sittin' and thinkin' about honky tonk angels, counting the hours until daylight begins, while Ray Price plays on the jukebox.

Lovely, some voice, although diminishing marginal returns hit in eventually. Will return to individual songs, however, but the album didn't have enough variety to encourage an active re-listen.

Started off strong with a song by Willie, unfortunately that was the peak. It was an okay country album.

It lacked something

Meh. Boring, very plain and traditional country. I don't really see why it's supposed to be so important but what do I know.

ok old school honky tonk. wish it had a bit more variety. kind of blended together

This came out over 60 years ago. With that in mind: Musically, it's fine. I find this style fun on occasion, but a full album if a bit much, and it doesn't branch out much, so it's very samey. I could often not tell that one song ended and a new one started. I think if three of these songs had some difference in feeling, I'd love it. Lyrically, again, more than sixty years later, this is fascinating. It's about the chaos and emptiness of the night life, which is pretty "urban coded" now. I don't know what the bar scene was anywhere 50 years before they would let me in one, but having lived in both a major city and the outskirts of a four digit town, the loneliness and isolation in this crosses over to both, but if you added a drum machine this would be interpreted as the degeneracy of those city youths. It's the kind of country I like. It's personal, it's emotional, it's relatable. I'd be curious how these lyrics would fare today, when country music rejects real emotion in place of empty posturing about a sanitized facsimile of small town life and how women are hot fragile mothers. Ultimately, I'm split. Consider this a 3.5, because I want more variety, but what it gives is compelling. I'll probably buy a song or two from this.

It's okay. If you've heard one song, you've basically heard them all, there's no variety whatsoever. Same tempo, same lyrical content. I liked the title track the most. I also liked his voice.

Inoffensive but inessential listen. Enjoyable enough

Decent old school country, with a bit of blues. Amazing pedal steel playing, great musicianship all around. Lyrics that keep your attention.

Songs are elegantly connected and feel as a one long track essentially. In this sense, the record feels seamless. The mysic style feels fit for some cozy dinner at the restaurant down the street. I would not relisten this often, so the album marks a decent work appropriate for some niche uses.

Very pleasant, utterly unremarkable, background musical irrigation. Surprisingly nice when concentrating on work, but not suited for active listening. Maybe things looked and sounded different some 60 years ago.

Really nice to get a welcome to the album. I kind of do want to reach out and tell them I enjoyed it. Unique vibe and slice of another time. Well executed and worth a listen.

Creepy album cover. Oh no, he's talking right to us. If I paid for this in the 1960s and needed to skip this first bit everytime on my record player I'd be a little annoyed. The performances are on point, great example of the genre, just not popping me at all.

Whoops forgot to post my review (and seemingly lost what I had written, not that it was war and peace or anything). A charming little honky tonk album that maintains a very similar pace throughout its runtime. Wasn't offended by anything I heard in fact the vocalist was really great. I just don't think anything stood out to me as particularly memorable.

Hrm...... I don't remember listening to this and I simply cannot be fucked to listen again to remember if it was good or not. I don't remember hating it

3.5

An interesting record. Kind of a performance - like they are making a record and tell you that they are. Songs are well performed and produced but mostly all the same. A good listen.

I liked this one. It was very warm and smelled like pipe smoke. Lots of slide guitar. Favorites were The Wild Side Of Life and Bright Lights And Blonde Haired Women.

You know when you watch movies where the story takes you into one of those old time western bars? This is the type of music that is playing in the background.

I have never heard an album begin with a message from the artist to their audience, directly thanking them for the last album's performance and explaining the upcoming album - unexpected but charming and earnest! It's some damn fine country, wistful and soulful. Surprisingly bluesy. Favourite tracks: Night Life, Sittin and Thinkin, If She Could See Me Now

Listened Reminds me of goodfellas, quite like it

- relativ moody und kurzweilig, dazu sehr entspannt als Hintergrundmusik, mehr gibt es mir dann aber auch nicht so richtig 2-3/5

Good! Casual listening background music for me

The title track is incredible. I was so stoked to discover a whole album full of songs like that, but sadly no other songs came near. Maybe because the song was written by Willie Nelson who is a certified legend. The rest of the album is a good piece of classic country like the songs my grandmother used to play, but Night Life is something else. Let me put it like this: it's no surprised Price later recorded music for David Lynch. A strong 3 despite me not being a country fan.

This was OK, the title track which was written by Willie Nelson is the best thing here. Overall enjoyable but not one that I feel like I'll come back to for more.

Very pleasant classic country album

When he started talking in my headphones on the opening track, I had a legit jumpscare. Overall, I enjoyed the album. It feels like the perfect soundtrack for the next time I play Fallout. These sad, crooning songs with slide guitar make me nostalgic for an era I never lived in. Favorite tracks: - Night Life - Are You Sure

Rv/g

Country is not a genre I usually go for but I enjoyed this. I think the opening track is probably the highlight for me. The song itself is incredibly evocative, playing as a somewhat mournful ode to the small hours. The rest of the album flows rather nicely from there, drawing a bit of a bluesy tone, whilst Price's vocals just soar above everything.

fuck yeah, gi meg mer steel guitar og soft vocals gøy med egen introduksjon av albumet, og hva den handler om </3 hyggelig nostalgisk kjærlighetssanger og -sorg. drømmen om å finne noen, lengte etter noen, men ikke få det til :(

quite liked this country vibe slow down yeehaw whiskey shoot them at high noon cowboy jitty

It was okay.

That boy down Texas way mentioned in the intro was none other than Willie Nelson. I don’t give a shit about Nashville sound but this album is monumental for at least giving attention to the great outlaws like Willie and Johnny Paycheck.

a collection of good and fine songs, different of every shit the beatles and queen released

Not my style,will never listen again, but was enjoyable despite that. "Honky tonk angel" haha

The album introduction track gave big YouTuber energy. Other than that it was just okay.

I dig this old style country, I was pleasantly surprised to find out Willie Nelson wrote a couple songs on this album.

3.5

I enjoyed this! Pretty good.

Slow and smooth classic with warm, velvety vocals. Didn’t expect to like this, but not bad!

konsept-plata um nátthrafna suðurríkjabæja. skemmtilegt, er svona frekar fágað köntrí svipar til djassplatna willie nelsons. ég vil meira 3,5.

Classic Country and Western music, he has an excellent voice, really chill listen, a little repetitive but enjoyable

7/10

its pleasant. A live crooner album. Not sure for its reason being on this list though. Like how is this something I have to listen to before I die, when Roy Orbison is not even on this list, and this is. Not something I am going to seek out, but nice background music. 3 stars

A solid western album. I enjoyed it

Decent country Western. A little mopey but not terrible.

Enjoyed what I heard.

What a time to be alive. Made depressed drinking sound ok and almost warranted. Country blues super polished and just felt very white. White blues for sure.

Ok country album

This is one of those record covers I see in charity shops along with countless other Bach, Shadows, Leo Sayer and Top of the pops (Cover is a girl in a bikini on roller skates) this could just be a UK thing I have no idea! If it is please could someone like this to let me know.

Ray Price has a great voice. Backup band lineup is amazing. Normally I would be all in for a concept album. Sadly a few songs in, the song topics became repetitive and there was not enough variation from song to song to hold my interest. In the end, it was a good album but not anything I would listen to again.

Was a nice chill listen to with story whilst on a long bus trip

Definetly not my typical listen but it was really nice with headphones in travelling on the bus. His voice is calm and relaxing, but the separation of drums from singing hurt my head. All in all I won't listen to it again but im glad I heard it

I found it so funny on the first track when he was like “tell me if you like it, cause I’ll make more of this if you like”, if I’m not 60 years too late to this haha. It’s one of those albums ur grandpa has in his collection which is spinning weirdly cause it’s been played that many times. Would love to hear this with a bunch of crackling on it, kinda was made in mind of that lmao.

Quality album produced by such an innovator of this soul sound in Price. Must listen to the interview as it is quality and explains the significance of the album.

Okaish Country as background music in a bar.

didn't expect this to be so country! perfectly fine for a rainy morning listen

cowboy music

Good voice and decent album.

This is about what you would expect from the genre. It is solid. I think this is one of those albums you have to consider in the context of when it was released and what was going on at the time. The musicianship is strong. It is totally fine. 3/5

What a crooner! We’ve had a lot of country and honky-tonk on the list lately, and I think this is one of the better ones. His voice is great and the songwriting is strong. Fantastic album cover. I don’t think I’ve seen anything quite like it. Very dramatic and sexy.

Interesting one.

Actually pretty cool story art going on here and chill morning music not something I listen to often but didn’t hate it or love it

This was a fun listen. Love some lap steel and country guitar vibes while some sensual crooning is happening over it. Maybe felt a little repetitive toward the end but still enjoyed the sound of it. Will probably listen again if I'm in the mood for some 60's crooning about night life.

quaint and pleasant

A lot of variation in this collection with more than a few similarities to other singers around at the time. Doubt it an influential piece of work but enjoyably spirited. Suited to a mood.

Well, knock me over with a feather. I don’t hate something labeled “country and western” and “honky tonk.” If this is what older country sounds like, I might be able to get behind it. Ray’s great voice hardly touches twang, and the stories of unrequited love, desire, and addictions that fuel Night Life weave the album into a cohesive whole. A couple of songs even sounded like they could have been Elvis songs in the delivery and sound. Far from the nasal twang and good ole boy content of the country I can’t stomach. Alas, while I didn’t hate it, it doesn’t light me up either. Three stars.

I don't know much about country, but this had some really nice melodies going on. I find the weepy instrumentation annoying though, and this album was packed with it. It makes sense for this to appeal to country fans though, it's earnest and well-produced for its time. 3 stars

Good enjoyable album 3/5

Christ where do they keep finding these albums

Chill

The Willie Nelson original that gives the album its title starts things off on a decidedly non-country set of notes. That thing could easily be confused with a jazz-inflected 12-bar blues. But, as the album (and night?) progress, in comes the fiddle and other telltale sounds of what was still country back in the early 1960s. Evidently the softer tones are a pitch for becoming part of the Nashville Sound, but there’s still too much Texas here. Thankfully.

Classic country

Country singers were already familiar with making concept albums before the Beatles ever tried their hand at it, such as with Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs and Bitter Tears. Ray Price here has one too, and Country music works really well for this type of storytelling. The vocals are incredibly clear and the songs are easy to understand. This album feels a bit drenched in Country clichés though, partially because of the era its from and because it influenced what came after. It's an enjoyable listen, but there's much more interesting Country music from this era.

Classic old school country sound was easy to listen to. Nothing really grabbed me but the backing band earn an extra star for being called the Cherokee Cowboys.

Enjoyed this even though not really my jam.

Kolejna płyta jak z Fallouta. Jest w niej coś szczerego i naiwnego, prostolinijnego nawet. Ale to nie do końca mnie wzrusza, raczej bawi i/lub żenuje. Ale nie nudzi. Chociaż tyle. 6.5/10 równane w dół.

This is the type of country I'm here for. Super chill and laid back, very easy and soulful vibes. His voice is very enjoyable to listen to and his tunes are mellow and relaxing. I dig this one!

I was kind of expecting hot garbage especially after the initial opening which is WEIRD. But, the songs have a nice feel and the album is a throwback to honky tonk before country got super twangy and then morphed into modern country which IS hot garbage. A young Willie Nelson on this makes it even cooler?

Didn't mind this at all. Seems a bit more "authentic" than much of the godawful unlistenable schlock that has come out of Nashville since. Wild that Willie was his guitarist.

на любителя.

After listening to this album I’m fixing’ to buy a Stetson hat, a big belt buckle for my leather belt, and some cowboy boots and drive on down to Fort Worth Texas to the stockyards.

Blue Velvet soundtrack contender, hehe... Respect for my parents listening to this stuff..

dawg this is country? 😭

Nice relaxing honky tonk album and great vocals. Bit samey.

Great voice, nice country tunes, but too much of the same. I can see my father-in- law enjoying this at the local Saturday night dance.

This is a solid album of enjoyable music. I don't think it's life-changing in the context of this 1001 album list but I did enjoy it, nonetheless.

Pleasurable listen, a bit tiresome at times. Title track rules. Would be a good one to have on vinyl

What in the Americana?? It may take a little getting past the baked-in hokeyness of 50's and 60's country, but if you, this is actually an enjoyable record. The songs do blend together a little, both in theme, lyrics, and sound, but it's alright. It's a really well-produced album. It sounds great and honestly feels like THE record you'd put on if you wanted to invoke this kind of sound and vibe. This is what country was before it became a caricature of itself. This isn't all about being lonely, women, trucks, horses, beer, being from a small town, working on the farm and/or ranch, or any combination thereof. Am I claiming that it's a deep record? No. But it at least feels a little more genuine and real than what we get today. I guess that's true of a lot of music though... Anyway. I really found this to be perfectly listenable and not at all offensive. Kind sounds like a three star album to me. Standout Tracks: Night Life, The Wild Side of Life, Pride, Are You Sure

Standout tracks are: "Night Life", "Lonely Street", "A Girl in the Night".

Varsin kaunista paikoin. Honkey tonk angel on hieno mielikuva! Tyylikäs kansi myös. Miellytti kokonaisuutena.

Cheer up, cunt

Great dinner party record that night grow on me with repeat listens. Love a sad cowboy!

Great songs, but most of them are better with other artists, especially those who wrote them.

I will say, I have never heard an artist thank its fans on the record ITSELF. Normally it's on the sleeve, or something like that. That he took the time to actually say it on a song was an interesting moment. Still, it's standard early 60s country fare. (Songs like "Night Life" and "The Wild Side of Life"... indeed.) The songs are fairly formulaic, but not terrible. But it sounded dated, and pretty much something I would not expect even my parents to listen to. Top songs: "The Twenty-Fourth Hour," "There's No Fool Like A Young Fool," "Are You Sure"

Ray Price has a great, classic country voice. Not unlike Marty Robbins or Merle Haggard. But he needs to change the tempo on some of his songs. It is all very much the same slow tempo - one step, two step. Classic country style, which I don't mind, but I could use more variety. I understand he's a pioneer in country (was floored to know Willie Nelson and Buddy Emmons were in his band) and I'm fine with his style. But that's all this album is. Fine (i.e., average).

Man this one is a downer, but not in a bad way. Very earnest and Price has a great country voice, but every song is basically the same.

Some timeless stuff here.

Easy breezy classic country crooners - this was swell.

I do love me so old school country, but I normally prefer it with a bit more grit. This was great don't get me wrong, but a bit showy, and a lot about crying. And dude has so much vibrato on those notes

I'm glad country evolved. But this is definitely a good foundation stone.

3/5

Tough one to rate. In one sense I really like it, its the kinda of nostalgic and sad old country music that my grandparents listened and I wouldn't be surprised if I had heard some of this before. When you're in the mood to sit and cry in your beer, this is the record for you. Although I would say that the title track also makes a great slow dance and seduction song, and how. But the downside? All the songs started to feel like variations on the same theme and my attention wavered. This isn't an album that makes it easy to listen front to back. But pick any handful of tracks and in you're in for a good (I mean sad) time.

ok

A crooning country singer, a la Elvis and Bing; but he is neither. The monologue at the beginning is ridiculous.

Unlike most country music, I don't mind listening to this. Ray's a great singer, without the twang. Music all sounded pretty similar, but was agreeable enough.

This might just be the honkiest-tonkiest album to ever honk a tonk. Ray Price's 1963 album Night Life is a pretty simple record, but that doesn't mean it's bad. This is a nice album right here. It is a bit repetitive, but it's not particularly bad in this album. Still, it's certainly there. Ray Price's singing is nice. It's quite good for a country album like this. The instrumentation is also pretty good. The writing fits the vibe very well. The album as a whole carries this honky tonk vibe that I kind of like. It's not really my thing personally, but I enjoy it for what it is when I get albums like this. Night Life is good. 3/5.

Elvis in hawaii as Cez put it. I saw more country. Too dour at times but this music charms me

Well, the album cover and the first song, Intro, are really wonderfully cheesy…but I found that I enjoyed this anyway. It’s the type of album that I would enjoy hearing softly in a restaurant, lounge, or someone else’s home; but I would never play it at home myself. I did think it was really cool that Willie Nelson, Johnny Paycheck and Floyd Cramer played on this record. In the end it gets 3 stars from me.

Kind of like if Elvis was a country singer. 3.5

This kind of music always reminds me of working in aged care, the oldies absolutely love songs like this and I don’t blame them. There’s a timeless sound here, although I do tend to get a little tired after several tracks. Favourites were 24th Hour and If She Could See Me Now.

Mmmm, smooth.

Honky Tonkin all the way home. Wild Side Of Life is a good tune. If She Could See Me Now is another good one.

Helt okej. Påminner lite om svenske Yngve Stoor.

Interesting classic country album.

Ray Price was a musical treasure. Not exactly my favorite genre but it's certainly grown on me as I got older.

Novel listen with some great vocals and fun tunes

Pretty middle-of-the-road stuff. It's well made but nothing really blows my hair back.

crooning

Traditional country, sung by authentic voice

nice little album. Familiar with Night Life from Willie Nelson's solo cover, and highly enjoyed having an intro track. Wouldn't consider myself a country fan, but this far back I enjoy it.

An interesting idea! Though sometimes the execution is a bit lacking.

This was pleasant to listen to. Until it wasn't. Every artist should be required to include a cheesy intro on every album they record. 3

Lovely voice, sad songs, and a hell of lap steel! The message of heartache becomes clear by the 4th or 5th song, the rest is just filler.

Country style frank Sinatra sounds gooooood, I really enjoyed it, don't think I'll listen to it again but good listen nonetheless

Absolutely hated the introduction, it was completely unnecessary. The tracks themselves were fine, although not really my thing. Great vocals. Didn’t love it but easily tolerable, 2.75/5

Decent country

I like this honky tonk. Some Willie Nelson is always good. It wasn’t the best album to listen to in dry January, I wanted to get a Night Life though.

More fun when I picture it sung by the country bears. 3.4.

I enjoyed this more than I thought I would, which isn't saying much. Personal enjoyment: 3/5 Relevance to this list: 3/5

A nice album. Not my style but the songs are well performed, beautifully sung and touch on the usual Country themes. All done with skill and beauty. 3 stars

It’s a chill, nostalgic vibe. The sound has that Patsy Cline kind of smoothness but without the same punch. It’s nice background music, though it doesn’t always grab your attention. It gets the job done if you’re in the mood to unwind.

A cowboy delight.

Odd opening to this one where he thanks the listeners for buying the album. Then goes into a bluesy number, Night Life. I figured this is what the music was going to be, but not really. It settles down into some regular, but decent 1960s country music. It was alright.

This is that two stepping in the barn type music. That fishing out in the lake by yourself type music. Not too bad honestly.

Ok wait, just learnt Willie Nelson is on this record. It starts with the cute intro, thanking the listener for enjoying the previous album - and it goes on from sweet country ballad to another. It's not too remarkable, but the heart is in it - and what I've learnt in this exercise is that I have a soft spot for old Country music much to my own bewilderment.

Price has a great voice and a great backing band. This is a country analogue to Sinatra's “In The Wee Small Hours”.

This was more or less rather one note and played almost like a medley. Classic country sound though and a pleasant listen.

Who doesn’t like a little twang? This was a fine listen. But with every song clocking in at nearly the same tempo and vocal delivery, it was pretty repetitive. Making it sound a bit watered down for my country tastes.

Who doesn’t love a good intro? And who doesn’t want them some night life? This was cool, almost like Hank Williams meets Dean Martin.

3.25, gets me in my country western mindset

Hey, I dig me some country and western swang. This doesn’t stand out in the genre but I still enjoyed it! 3/5

Played this while driving over a snowy mountain pass late on a Friday night and the little intro at the beginning helped put me in the mood. It was perfect. But I usually hate intros like that because nobody really wants to hear that every time they play it. It would be more fitting for the radio, but then there's no way I would've been able to hear it.

Belle voix profonde, agréable à l'écoute ; les fondements du country

I'm enjoying this even though countryish honky tonkish not typically attractive to me. Like the loungey voice (country Roy Orbison) and dang that guitar (pedal steel?) can swing. I can imagine these songs easily turned into great Stones tunes. Also love the phrasing--lonely street; honky tonk angel; anybody's baby; the list goes on and on.

I mean - it’s pleasant but unmemorable. A crooner for his era - it took me three days to listen to it because I’d press play and then completely forget to listen or get distracted after half a song. It’s a 2.5 really.

I guess in 1963, "night life" was synonymous with being a drunk. I think there was a reference to drinking in every song. And while the lyrics may mostly have been meant as a warning or a lament, the delivery and vibe of the music certainly didn't reinforce any negative sentiments. It was more of a wistful ode to the drinking lifestyle. I was struck by Ray Price's golden vocals — he can sing. I was also struck by the evolution, or at least the dramatic change, in what country music was as compared to today. Of course, that's true for all genres, and is partly why these sorts of albums need to be included on the 1001 list. I, for one, had never heard of this artist, so I'm glad to have listened to it. My 3-star review is a reflection of not being able to really relate — in the mid-60s, this was probably bangin.

eh it's alright not much of a country guy but there is some nice lyricism and his voice is very smooth but over all just meh about the genre

It was really pleasant and a Nice introduction to more people in that genre

Classic country, lots of slide steel and fiddle

Good ol fashioned country and western. it was decent.

I think I can safely say this was my first full-album experience with honky-tonk music, a genre I'm only peripherally familiar with thanks to Fallout: New Vegas and its influence on alt-country, which is typically the only country subgenre that really excites me. I've alluded to how painfully American I am on this list before, but I'm specifically a New Yorker, and even more specifically a Long Islander. country music is huge all over various parts of the state, but I've always felt like I'm at a distance from it. recently, I realized that what I really can't stand is the various post-9/11 mainstream country sounds, music that feels like so inauthentic that you'd swear it was created in a boardroom. this Ray Price album was hugely refreshing in comparison! I love the sound of pedal steel, and Price's voice is captivating over this selection of songs, pretty much all of which deal with sad romantic themes. there's an unmistakable nocturnal vibe here; slow tempos, unhurried vocal phrasing, the overall downtrodden vibe. I listened to this album at 1:30 in the afternoon, but I think I might have enjoyed it a little more if I waited for sundown (which, depressingly, is around 4:30 right now). I liked this, but I'd struggle to say I love it or that I'm likely to return to it. classic country music is heavily focused on the lyrics, but I've just never been that kind of listener. and after 12 tracks and 37 minutes of existing in this sonic space, hearing the same chord progressions and melodic phrases return many times, I think I had my fill. I get that the appeal is in the simplicity, and admittedly this album has a killer atmosphere, but again, I'm spoiled by the innovations of future artists. I'll definitely remember that title track, though! strong 6/10.

Big voice, big country music.

Pretty average country music. It's OK, but in 1963 artist like Bob Dylan, The Beatles and The Beach Boys were the sound of the future, by comparison, even then, this must have sounded old fashioned and passee.

Good

Country perfection. I despise steel guiar.

Country music which Is entertaining in a humorous way, good voice though and funny lyrics of the time

Another old country album that's fine, but in one ear and out the other.

thats great man

Price is a man who owes much of his success to other great names in the country music industry: Lefty Frizzell, Hank Williams, Willie Nelson, even Kris Kristofferson. Much of this can be attributed to being at the right place at the right time, though no doubt he can hold his own. Night Life is best compared to Sinatra's In the Wee Small Hours, with Price's sweet sorrowful voice singing songs of longing and loneliness that tend to creep around when the sun goes down. The Nashville Sound influence suits this vibe well, as the Nashville Sound has turned out a number of country crooners (Price included) and helped achieve crossover appeal beyond the "hillbilly" demographic. It's certainly a smooth and slick album, but a far cry from the greatest in country music. It lacks a lot of the grit that made other country albums so great.

A mostly slow-tempo country album in the old "classical" country style. A lot of songs remind me of elvis. Pretty ok album but not my style for the most part.

Night Life is quite a nice listen, a mix of crooning and simple country, not extravagant but easy and smooth. Wild Side Of Life is one of my favourite songs by lots of artists who've done it, this is another good version, a happy morning 3.

Enn einn þristurinn sem ég tengi ekki sérstaklega við en rennur ljúflega í gegn. Það verður að segjast eins og er að platan hans Morrisseys er þrátt fyrir allt betri.

Fun but a little judgey.

Not as good as Marty and his Big Iron

honky tonk. lets see how much patience I have for it. Simple enough. 3.

It was OK not terrible but not exactly exciting either

Very much the sound of an era. Fun to listen to, even if I probably won't seek it out again

I find this kind of country enjoyable but repetitive so while I like individual songs here and there, it's tough to decide to sit down and listen to a whole album

To be perfectly honest, I thought I would hate this, but it was actually kinda vibey. I found it so funny when I pressed play on the first song and he like personally greeted me to the album (that was the highlight) and I think that should become the standard with all albums now cuz its so funny. Favourite song: introduction and theme

This album makes me feel like a cowboy in the wild west.

3.5 - not a fan of country, in general, but I find the older it is, the more likely I am to enjoy it.

Nauseous music, but amazing voice. I think if this album would be all a capella, then it's easily 4 stars or more. The reality is that Ray plus same country beat on all 12 songs is just too much to bear.

I didn't mind this.

Is this country or honky tonk either way in sure Ray was massive before the British invasion. Man can holler and croon. I found it a pleasant listen. 6/10

2.5/5 At first glance it seems like a collection of unexciting songs, slow and monotone. It's often difficult to know when one song has ended and another begun. What a repetitive, boring, snoozefest. However, it isn't all stinkers, and the experience improves immeasurably on the second side. In summary, meh. Night Life 2.5/5 Lonely Street 2/5 The Wild Side of Life 2.5/5 Sittin' and Thinkin' 2/5 The Twenty-Fourth Hour 2/5 (LEAST FAV) A Girl in the Night 2/5 Pride 2.5/5 There's No Fool Like a Young Fool 3.5/5 If She Could See Me Now 3/5 Bright Lights and Blonde Haired Women 5/5 (FAV) Are You Sure 4.5/5 Let Me Talk to You 3.5/5

That kind of classic country that I probably wouldn't have listened to on my own. Very good for what it is, but not quite my thing.

I enjoyed the first few tracks, and particular the intro where Ray explains what the albums about - weird. But then it all got very samey quite quickly. Fave Tracks: Introduction and Theme, Night Life 2.7/5

classic

Schön gemütlich dieser Country. Stört nicht, aber reisst mich auch nicht mit.

While I enjoy old honky-tonk country, all these songs had the same sort of mopey vibe to them (I know, it IS country, but still) and therefore it felt a bit repetitive. An easy listen, but not one I'd ever be in the mood to hear again.

Wonderful voice, great music, excellent recording. The genre is a little old-fashioned, but I didn't care -- it was timeless and I liked it. Three stars.

original and ok

Repetitive and sometimes boring country. Cool introduction with a few good songs though:

Noteworthy songs - 808080808 Magical Dream - Kinda catchy synth, but the rest is bland. Ancodia - Good background noise. Cobra Bora - Actually kind of cool, reminds me of Bomberman Hero. Pacific 202 - N64 vibes, but melody isn't great. Donkey Doctor - Nothing too special, weird ending. 808080808 - Really cool beginning. A little slow in the middle but stays interesting enough. Sunrise - Nothing remarkable. The Fat Shadow - Eerie. Very short.

A little misogynistic...

🎧More songs should start like “I got loaded last night” (Sittin’ and Thinkin’)

Good sound. Roy Orbison vibe. Never knew Sittin and Thinkin was his song covered by Elvis Costello on Almost Blie.

Some really cool sounds for this album, and I love the vibe of the intro into the first track. Night Life has some very cutting edge musicality for the time but other songs fall more into the same old same old category.

Pleasant but hard to get excited about most of it. Some nice harmony in a few songs. I’d keep it as background music

Love the introduction and title track - Night Life. What an amazing song. Get’s a little repetitive from there, but Ray’s vocals shine throughout. Had no idea this was Willie’s beginnings in music!

Liked it, nice and chilled morning vibes

I didn’t hate it but I’m also never going to love this type of country

Definitely holds the highs and lows of the era: the talking-over-the-lead-single introduction is silly and charming, even if its two minutes feel like seven. The lyrics of Sittin' and Thinkin'? Troubling. Deeply troubling.

Easy listening country music. A pleasant album that accurately depicts what it is like the for those of us who have worked the night life for decades. Tight performances and the dynamics were handled with the subtlety of an experienced pro.

Straight outta Sunday morning breakfast playlist. Extra points for the intro speech.

Classic early 60s but nothing mind blowing

Sad boi country man. Up late thinking bout a honky tonk woman.. don’t text

It might get a little repetitive a little to fast - but boy can Ray Price sing.

Not the most popular but had some enjoyable tunes

When the record ended I was relieved. Not that this was painful but it all just kind of blends in and becomes a bit monotonous. Fave: The Twenty-Fourth Hour

Not a fan of the genre and though I'm far from qualified to be critical, it sounds just like I expected. Old time ,classic Country & Western with good vocals and music that is well played that are easy to listen to. Not something I'll listen to often or at all again, but I understand it's importance and influence to whole scope of Country music history. Enjoyable enough, I'm glad I had a listen, but that's about it.

Night life Lonely street A girl in the night

This is long lost musical tradition.

Easy listening but dated

Ah, golden oldies, the sort of thing you expect to be playing in the background of the love scene in an 80s action film, say while Mel Gibson rolls back over to be friendly with Patsy Kensit some more. Absolutely no doubt this is really well crafted, beautifully played and sang. Also absolutely no doubt that it gets pretty samey after about three tracks and doesn't change thereafter. Individually, I'd probably really enjoy all of these tracks a lot more than hearing them all in row like this. Night Life is the best song for me by a distance, the fact that's the closest to a classic crooner, country tinged, rather than the full on pedal steel warbling we get for the rest of the record, is probably no coincidence.

This had a nice sound. Like sad cowboy blues but a polished 60s vibe. I enjoyed it but do not know it it will be added to my rotation

Old timey drinking ballads. Pretty cool and a mellow listen but not really my thing in the long run. A decent curio

Good old fashion country music album.

Never worked out why my parents liked Jim Reeves and Jim Reeves alone. This is not Jim Reeves, but the country-western crooning took me back to a place in my childhood, and to some very mixed emotions

easy listening and smooth country influences make this nice background music.

Well, this was a strange little curiosity. Hony-tonk, old school, misery-ridden, alcohol-fuelled country that I didn't think I'd particularly warm to, yet I feel that I ought to listen to again. This time, I'll follow the advice and take off my shoes. This is what this list is about

Not what I usually listen to but not bad.

As someone who has a great appreciation but not much experience in listening to classic country, this was a very enjoyable listen to me. You have slower ballads that have more of the 50s pop crooner influence throughout, but particularly later in the album like "Are You Sure" and "Let Me Talk To You" that shows Price's sensitivity. Then there are some tracks that lean more heavily on the country western genre like "Night Life" and "Sittin' and Thinkin'" that are very reminiscent of the greats Johnny Cash and Conway Twiddy. Also some definite blues influence (as is the case for alot of the classic country artists) on "Lonely Street" that was a great element to solidify the range on this record. Very fun listen that made you feel like you're sitting on a porch swing with the radio turned on on a humid summer night. 7/10

Naja, Schmalz lass nach!

Fun album that I enjoyed more than expected. I still don't see myself revisiting this, but if it was on, I'd be happy enough. 3/5

Proficient but dull.

An ok album

Every song on here is good. That’s because it’s the same song 13 times. In fact, the title track is used for the introduction so you get to hear the exact same song TWICE! Easy listening shouldn’t make me this upset.

country western singer. Soso.

Ok

Love his voice, and the old-country sound. Made me want to listen to more of his music.

Perhaps the most soulful country I've heard for a while.

This was my grandmothers favorite artist. I can smell the cigarettes wafting out of the shag carpet.

Ray Price - really not my style - but, not a bad album for the era and genre

Solid three. Liked it well enough. Interesting for the stacked band! Much easier on the ears than Buck Owens. Sounded a bit more city than country.

Alveg ágætt í grunninn.

3.5

Välillä tuli vähän Frank Sinatra mieleen. Tuollaista vähän big band tyylistä, ilmeisesti honky tonkya. Rentoa kesä musaa. Parhaat: The Wild Side of Life,

One of my first country albums, definitely one of *the* albums to ever exist.

Nice deep voice with a lot of power to it.

Good background to be introduced to. That Ken Burns country music documentary should have included Ray Price.

Old music just does something to my soul! I don’t know if it’s the classic crooning voice, or the music itself, but I love listening to this stuff at home. So comforting. Listen again: yes Purchase for my collection: if I found it cheap Favourite Song: Night Life

Första albumet jag hört med ett intro där han snackar och tackar för att fansen gillade albumet innan. Det var wholesome och de andra låtarna var väldigt basic men jag gillar den genren (easy listening) så det gör inte så mycket.

this was a pleasant enough country album, though none of the songs were particularly gripping IMO. it reminded me of Fallout music, and i must've been onto something because apparently ol' Ray here did the first recording of Heartaches by the Number. not on this album, of course... favorites: night life, sittin' and thinkin'

I have learned I am not that much of a country music enjoyer.

This was interesting. At first I liked the dichotomy of a wholesome sounding dad guy singing about drinking, jail, and loose women. It did get repetitive though. It reminded me of Epcot or Disney for some reason. Like the guy is trying to be tough but he’s not.

Very old fashioned country and western, but with plenty of charm and a sense of humour. I liked it, but don't think I'll come back to it any time soon. A solid three, ni more, no less

kinda chill ngl, maar niet voor herhaling

probably the best countr record i had yet. not trying to hard. like it

Pretty modest and calm old school country vibes. Didn't push the needle for me but enjoyable nonetheless. 3.5

Tracks from a bygone era. Quite enjoyed that.

3/5 Best Track: Night Life

Great songs, great voice, but everything starts to blend together by the end (and really well before that).

hmm not sure what to expect here..but the picture looks like homie's getting a blow job lol Never heard this guy before. But kinda diggin it. Reminds me of a better time, a simpler time. A time when people had modesty and manners. Even though it's twangy like country, it's old enough to where I wouldn't really call it country. Reminds me of Elvis. Honky Tonk is the right word. 3 stars.

"Night Life" by Ray Price, released in 1963, is a classic country album that epitomizes the genre's traditional sound. With Price's smooth, drawling vocals and twangy instrumentation, the album delivers a nostalgic journey through honky-tonk and country balladry. Tracks like the title track "Night Life" and "Lonely Street" showcase Price's emotive singing and the album's rich musical arrangements. However, while the album is a solid representation of its era and genre, it may lack the innovation and variety to truly stand out among other country releases of the time. Overall, "Night Life" is a respectable entry in Ray Price's discography, offering a glimpse into the classic country sound of the early 1960s. It earns a solid 3/5 rating for its authenticity and musical craftsmanship, making it a worthwhile listen for fans of traditional country music.

It was good but it was so repetitive

Relaxing, beautiful and simple country music. Doesn’t quite rattle these bones like other music does, but I appreciate it.

Quite liked this - smoky and sleazy country

As I'm writing this review, I'm only about midway through this album. Normally, for albums I haven't heard before I'd wait 'til after my second listen, or even halfway through my second at least, to get a jump on this, but... See, before I started listening to this album I did what I've done for a whilw now and checked out the already published reviews to find the most negative ones I could. Y'know, I guess I'm just interested in seeing the problems people have with these albums and then finding out if I disagree or not. Most of the ones I come across end up big negative "BAGHLE I DON'T LIKE THIS" dealies, but the one under this album that struck me so much is probably the most fair and balanced I've seen so far. In essence, it puts forth the following, which I hafta cop to: sure, it's good music, but is it important to music history or even notable enough on its own to be on this list of 1,001 albums? And at where I am in the album... Yeah, it sure is traditional country. Which is fine by me; I like traditional country. I know it's not the most much example, but I've listened to Johnny Cash's debut album a number of times. But—and maybe I'm just missing the larger context, I acknowledge that, but I can't hear what exactly's so special about this. Cub Koda on AllMusic claims this album is a number of things: "the last gasp of true honky tonk, the first stab at mainstreaming it into the Nashville sound of the 1960s, or country music's first country album," and, like, whichever one of those it is... I'm not getting it. Really, I'm having the same reaction to this that I did to X's WILD GIFT, where I'm not fully understanding why it's in this book. Although, I can at least acknowledge that WILD GIFT was notable to X as an in-between transitional point in their sound. Not to diss country, but what is NIGHT LIFE, this album, that a lot of other successful country albums from around the same time didn't also do? Now, my rating system is based purely on how much I personally enjoy the album and nothing else. That's why I'm giving it a 3; putting aside all of the gripes regarding its inclusion on this list, again, I like traditional country. As an album to, as Ray suggests, kick off your shoes and relax to, it does the job. Probably even better if I had a beer and a front porch to sit on. But if I was evaluating this album on whether or not it should be in this book; if I agreed or not that it SHOULD be something you listen to before you do... I'd hafta agree with that other review and smack it with a 2. Just how it is.

Songs can be a bit samey at times, but it has heart, so i'll give it a pass. Shame about the shit 60's stereo mix, though.

It’s… realistically, just a 3. It’s a pretty atypical country album for this time period I think, with a little extra flair here and there, and nothing really stands out except for a few tracks… but personally, it’s an album I think I’ll keep in shuffle. I have an incredible nostalgia for this type of soundscape – the country twang, the strong vocals, the fiddles and violins and strings mixed with crisp drums. The feeling this album gave me really, really did send me back to days of sitting in a car that still took old cassette tapes, with my dad popping them in during any car trips, and they always sounded like this. I haven’t forgotten that sound, but I haven’t actively been seeking it out. This album has made me want to revisit that sound; to find those old cassettes, to see what they were and to see if they hold up. It’s just a really nice album for me, and I'm glad I listened to it.

I don't normally like Country but this is quite enjoyable. It seems to be a mishmash of styles and reading the Wiki it was quite groundbreaking at the time.

This album is the best example of "The Nashville Sound" I've ever heard. The recordings are SO lush and the reverb is so beautiful. There isn't anything out of place in the mix. The musicianship is perfect. But the flip side of it is here too - The heavy-handed production in pursuit of that soft, warm, perfection, tended to elicit flat performances. Ray Price's early honky tonk is exciting and super-interesting. Ray Price here sounds beautiful, but bored. But damn, it sounds good.

Calm echoes echo Sad cowboy’s teary eyed tales Twang drowned in lost love

Solid country record. I think the song “Night Life” is great. But I also think that’s the only standout. Not a terrible listening experience. But I’m not so sure it’s an essential one. 3/5

Not really my style but definitely a fun listen.

This was country. Ok.

ok bud

Interesting old school country.

Très typique country des années 60 qui tire un peu sur le blues par moment. Les moments plus blues sont justement là où ça venait un peu plus me chercher, mais le reste c'était assez sécure comme musique, un peu monotone et unidimensionel. 5/10

Honest and likable, nothing much to say

Is this an album that I should hear before I die because the list needed some country stuff from the 60s? Cause it doesnt seem like anything special, really. Its OK, but its not a great album or a pure representative of country or anything. 3/5

Decent cowboy crooning album. This is the country I like lol

Nice to hear live musicians. The shuffle beat gives most of the songs a 6/8 feel and reminds me of Irish jigs. Not my thing, but the fella is awfully polite in his intro.

I feel like every album ought to have an introduction like this "Hello, we're Rage Against The Machine. We sure hope you liked our last album. We filled it full of a lot of polemic and riffage for you and we're hoping to keep you folks entertained with some more of the same on this one. Here are some Bulls... on Parade..." Anyway, I loved the pedal steel guitar and the very country lyrics. I was worried it would be too old-fashioned for me at first. But I kind of got into it!

I quite liked this. Some interesting ideas, given the context. 'Pride' was familiar.

Enjoyed.

Not a fan of 50's/60's country so I enjoyed this more than I thought I would

Helt ait, ganske gammel,ligner elivs

I thought it was ok. The first song I actually really enjoyed. Interesting to find out Willie Nelson wrote it and sung on the album. Lyrically it’s actually pretty dark. Glad I listened.

Good album. How many times can you say honky tonk in an album? A lot apparently…

My first impressions, when the first song played... I felt like I was in a dingey, yet classy, low lit lounge. Smoke from everyone's cigarettes and cigars filling the air. A spot light shon on the stage, where Ray Price was playing... His backing band in the dim light. The heart beating sound of the stand up bass thumping in my chest... I had a rocks glass filled with cheap bourbon. Betty Boop was serving drinks... I was Eddie Valient from Who Framed Roger Rabbit. Life was great. Then the second song hit, and I was taken to a honey tonk. Not a shitty 90s honky tonk where the stage was wrapped in chain link to protect the artists from bottle throws... But an olden day honey tonk, where everyone slow danced, or line danced. But this particular set of songs catored to the slow swaying patron. Love songs, and songs about alcohol. You know? Country stuff. What's different about this is that the music is story telling. And it's done well. There isn't necessarily many hooks that are needed to keep you, well hooked! There is just good story telling with great music.

Started listening coming out of the office at night. Night Life. Thought about the bright lights, drinking, being at the bar. How it was lonely and sad. But also how you feel lonely and sad, what friends truly love you? Never heard of Ray Price, will listen to more.

Good

Its fine country,got a good vibe.Wouldn't listen to it again but I admire its confidence.It knows what it is and does it well.

Could all just be the same song but its not unpleasant.

A true dark country album, soaked in booze, blues and sadness. Great backing band supporting the somber Ray Price on Night Life as he sings about how things aren’t always so great under the bright city lights. 3 stars

That intro was fire

Unexpectedly really enjoyed it - would never pick or put this on so glad to have heard it. Felt as though it was a soundtrack and turned your life into a movie

Unexpected but not unpleasant.

Is it possible to give a -1 star rating?

I'll confess that I'm not really sure what the musical significance of this album is. I don't know the history of country music very well, especially from this earlier period. It's a very pleasant album, though. The songs are nice and simple without being plain. His voice is beautiful 3/5

A time capsule of an album. Great old country sounds and hurting’ music.

finely crafted old person country music. The sound of loitering at the reception of your Hawaiian grandmother's funeral

Listened Before? N Pretty good. I like the old-fashioned country. It's almost like a crooner/country western crossover. The themes are dated and current at the same time. I could listen to this one again. Added to Library? N Songs added to playlist: Night Life

Sounded nice, great voice, but every song sounded exactly the same

Not bad for an old-timey country album. Still not my favorite, but good for what it was

A good, classic country album, if that's your thing. Nothing really stands out.

I supremely dislike modern country. But I've grown to like dinners like Cash and Willie. But this is not that dirty of country. And it's not the modern crap either. This is like a Sinatra wannabe with a southern twang. I don't really like it. But it's not the worst thing I've heard.

Nice album. Likes some country and this is chill. Nothing to save but I may come back.

Fun country album. Pretty smooth.

I wasn’t expecting to enjoy this at all, so thinking it was okay is probably a win, all things considered. It reminded me of Fallout New Vegas music, so it was nostalgic for me.

5/10. So much country has sounded kind of like this over the years that this just feels flat and flavorless.

Good, old-school country.

Now that’s some good country!

This mother fucker so old, 4/4 time in country music is known as the “Ray Price beat.”