Fancy (Bobbie Gentry album)

''Fancy'' is the sixth studio album by American singer-songwriter Bobbie Gentry. It was released on April 6, 1970, by Capitol Records.
The album was produced by Rick Hall and recorded at his FAME Recording Studios, apart from ''Wedding Bell Blues'' and ''Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head'' which were produced by Gentry herself, and recorded at Capitol Studios in Hollywood, California. The cover art for the album is an uncredited painting of Gentry, based upon a reference photograph. According to the liner notes for the 2004 compilation ''Chickasaw County Child: The Artistry of Bobbie Gentry'', the painting is believed to have been done by Gentry herself.

In the UK the album was released under the title ''I’ll Never Fall in Love Again''. This release featured a different track order and cover art, plus two additional tracks, "In the Ghetto" and "Billy the Kid", the latter would also appear on 1971’s ''Patchwork''.

In 2007, Australian label Raven Records released the album on CD for the first time, paired with 1971’s '' Patchwork''. The album was also made available for digital download the same year.

Critical reception

The April 18, 1970, issue of ''Billboard'' featured a review which said, "This is not merely a followup LP to a successful single; Miss Gentry's folksy story-telling vocals include some outstanding material. Opening with her hit single, "Fancy", she further impresses with her Hot 100 single, "He Made a Woman Out of Me", her No. 1 English hit of "I'll Never Fall in Love Again", and Leon Russell's "Delta Man". LP should top the single's acceptance."

'' Cashbox'' published a review the same day, saying, "It seemed for a long time that Bobbie Gentry would remain forever in the shadow of "Ode to Billie Joe", the record that launched her to fame and that she failed to follow up with anything as artistically powerful or commercially successful. Her duets with Glen Campbell kept her in the limelight, and finally she had another hit single – the title song of this album – on her own. The LP is of good quality and should make the charts, and Miss Gentry should continue to prove that she is not a one-song artist."

The review from ''Record World'' said, "Sexy is as sexy does and Bobbie Gentry certainly does. She's taken the sensual seductiveness of her own "Fancy" and made that the criterion for this new album. Standouts: "Delta Man", Something in the Way He Moves" (James Taylor's song that inspired George Harrison's "Something")."

The album earned Gentry a Grammy nomination for "Best Contemporary Pop Vocal Performance, Female".

Commercial performance

The album peaked at No. 37 on the US ''Billboard'' Top Country Albums chart and No. 96 on the US ''Billboard'' Top LP's chart. In Canada the album peaked at No. 79 on the '' RPM'' Top Albums chart.

The album's first single, "Fancy", was released in November 1969. It peaked at No. 8 on the US ''Billboard'' Top 40 Easy Listening chart, No. 26 on the US ''Billboard'' Hot Country Singles chart, and No. 31 on the US ''Billboard'' Hot 100 chart. In Canada the single peaked at No. 1 on the ''RPM'' Top County Singles chart, No. 20 on the ''RPM'' Top Easy Listening Singles chart, and No. 26 on the ''RPM'' Top Singles chart. In Australia "Fancy" peaked at No. 70 on the ''Kent Music Report'' Top Singles chart.

In February 1970, "Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head", was released in the UK as the album's first single, second overall. It reached a peak position of No. 40 on the '' OCC'' UK Singles Chart.

"He Made a Woman Out of Me" was released in March 1970 as the second single, third overall. It peaked at No. 71 on the US ''Billboard'' Hot 100 chart. In Canada it peaked at No. 57 on the ''RPM'' Top Singles chart.

In April 1970, "If You Gotta Make a Fool of Somebody" was released as the album's second UK single, fourth overall. It failed to chart.

"Fancy" was released as the third UK single in October 1970 and failed to chart.

Track listing

UK release (''I'll Never Fall in Love Again'')

Personnel

Adapted from the album liner notes.
*Bobbie Gentry - vocals, producer
*Rick Hall - producer
*Jimmie Haskell - string arrangements
*Don Lee Keith - liner notes
*Tommy Oliver - arrangements

Chart positions

Album

Singles

Accolades

13th Annual Grammy Awards

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References

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1970 albums
Bobbie Gentry albums
Albums arranged by Jimmie Haskell
Capitol Records albums

Albums recorded at Capitol Studios