The Versatile Burl Ives!


The Versatile Burl Ives! is a 1961 album by Burl Ives, containing his hit single "A Little Bitty Tear." The album reached No. 35 on Billboard's 1962 Pop Album Chart. In the same year, "A Little Bitty Tear" climbed to No. 1 on Billboard's Adult Contemporary Chart, No. 2 on the Country Singles Chart, and No. 9 on the Pop Singles Chart. The pop, country, and folk songs on this album were selected to highlight the folk singer's versatility. Some of his performances, such as his cover of Johnny Cash's "I Walk the Line," represent a significant departure from his earlier repertoire. Ives is accompanied by the Anita Kerr Singers and Owen Bradley's orchestra.

Track listing

  1. "Mockin' Bird Hill" – 2:34
  2. "The Long Black Veil" – 3:00
  3. "Delia" – 2:56
  4. "Forty Hour Week" – 2:31
  5. "I Walk the Line" – 2:40
  6. "Royal Telephone" – 3:31
  7. "Shanghaied" – 2:07
  8. "Lenora, Let Your Hair Hang Down" – 3:01
  9. "A Little Bitty Tear" – 2:03
  10. "Oh, My Side" – 2:47
  11. "Mama Don't Want No Peas an' Rice an' Cocoanut Oil" – 3:06
  12. "The Almighty Dollar Bill" – 3:25