brandon p:
"Recorded by Country singers Jerry Lee Lewis, and Charlie Rich, Esther recorded this song for her Atlantic Album "The Country Side of Esther Phillips" which for me is perhaps one of the greatest s..."
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brandon p:
"Recorded by Country singers Jerry Lee Lewis, and Charlie Rich, Esther recorded this song for her Atlantic Album "The Country Side of Esther Phillips" which for me is perhaps one of the greatest soul/blues albums ever recorded. With so many amazing covers, among them "Release me" (the Engleburt Humperdink song and [And Esthers Million selling POP#5 Hit]) "I can't help it (If I am still in love with you"(the Hank Williams Song) but the song that sent shivers down my spine was "No headstone on my grave" was practically written for Esther. She starts acapella, and the song has an almost spiritual like quality, and an intensity the only Bessie Smith among others can conjur up. She moves on with a slow piano and a spooky vocal acompaniment complete with a harmonizing soprano that adds so much drama to an already brilliant song....Esther than just sings from her soul. I say the song was practically written for Esther because it is a song of pain, something Esther carried with her. Some theorize it was these personal demons that led her to drink and expire prematurely. When Esther sang "No headstone on my grave" one believes her....a most soulful song and a testiment to her pain."
