''Here's Loretta Lynn'' is a compilation album by American country music singer-songwriter Loretta Lynn. It was released on April 22, 1968, by

Vocalion Records Vocalion Records is an American record company and label. History The label was founded in 1916 by the Aeolian Company, a maker of pianos and organs, as Aeolian-Vocalion; the company also sold phonographs under the Vocalion name. "Aeolian" was ...

Background

The album features recordings Lynn made for Zero Records in 1960, prior to signing with

Decca Records Decca Records is a British record label established in 1929 by Edward Lewis (Decca), Edward Lewis. Its U.S. label was established in late 1934 by Lewis, Jack Kapp, American Decca's first president, and Milton Rackmil, who later became American ...

. The only songs Lynn recorded for Zero Records that are not included on this album are her debut single,"

I'm a Honky Tonk Girl "I'm a Honky Tonk Girl" is the debut single by American country music artist Loretta Lynn, released in March 1960. The song was among the first to not only be recorded by Lynn, but also to be penned by her. She composed the song while living in W ...

", and "Darlin' Don't", which remains unreleased. Lynn would later re-record "The Darkest Day" for inclusion on 1966's ''

You Ain't Woman Enough ''You Ain't Woman Enough'' is the seventh solo studio album by American country music singer-songwriter Loretta Lynn. It was released on September 12, 1966, by Decca Records. It was Lynn's first No. 1 album on the US ''Billboard'' Hot Country Alb ...

''. She would re-record it once again, along with "My Angel Mother", for 2018's ''

Wouldn't It Be Great ''Wouldn't It Be Great'' is the forty-fifth solo studio album by American country music singer-songwriter Loretta Lynn. It was released by Sony Legacy on September 28, 2018. The album is produced by Lynn's daughter Patsy Lynn Russell and John Ca ...

''. "My Life Story" was retitled "Story of My Life" and re-recorded with updated lyrics for 2004's ''

Van Lear Rose ''Van Lear Rose'' is the forty-second solo studio album by American country music singer-songwriter Loretta Lynn. It was released on April 27, 2004, by Interscope Records. The album was produced by Jack White. The album was widely praised by critic ...

''.

Critical reception

The review in the May 4, 1968, issue of ''

Billboard A billboard (also called a hoarding in the UK and many other parts of the world) is a large outdoor advertising structure (a billing board), typically found in high-traffic areas such as alongside busy roads. Billboards present large advertise ...

'' magazine said the album is "A must have for all Loretta Lynn fans—a collection of her early material before she actually joined Decca Records. It's amazing how good she was, even then! You'll enjoy "The Darkest Day" and "Blue Steel"." '' Cashbox'' also published a review in their May 4 issue which said, "Originally waxed for the Canadian-based Zero label, this LP contains the only early Loretta Lynn cuts that were not recorded for Decca. Decca has bought the cuts and now owns and has released everything Loretta has recorded. Fans who have all of Loretta's other Decca recordings can make their collection complete by buying this set, which Decca has issued on its economy-priced Vocalion label. All the songs are Loretta's own compositions, and she sings them in fine style." In a review for

AllMusic AllMusic (previously known as All Music Guide and AMG) is an American online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on musicians and bands. Initiated in 1991, the databas ...

, Eugene Chadbourne said of the album, "The songs are really very good, rich with detail and, needless to say, convincing in emotion."

Commercial performance

The album did not appear on any music charts. The first single, "Heartaches Meet Mr. Blues", was released in August 1960 and did not chart. The second single, "The Darkest Day", was released in May 1961 and also did not chart.

Track listing

Personnel

Adapted from the album liner notes and recording session records. *Muddy Berry – drums *Hal Buksbaum – photography *Don Grashey - producer *Harold Hensley – fiddle *Roy Lanham – guitar *Loretta Lynn – lead vocals *

Speedy West Wesley Webb West (January 25, 1924 – November 15, 2003), better known as Speedy West, was an American pedal steel guitarist and record producer. He frequently played with Jimmy Bryant, both in their own duo and as part of the regular Capitol ...

– steel *Al Williams – bass

References

{{Loretta Lynn 1968 compilation albums Loretta Lynn compilation albums