The Shifting Whispering Sands as done by Jim Reeves

[jbalog66081]

Loved it then/ Love it more now

[GooglFascists]

This has to be the strangest ballad ever recorded, doesn't it? Once you heard it back in '56 you never forgot it! It sounds even more bizarre and macabre nearly 60 years after I first heard it! Bones picked clean by buzzards, sidewinder snakes, horned toads and a genuine bleached skeleton of an old miner! There's a romping good mystery movie right in the words of this haunting old song! Loved "Gentleman Jim" Reeves, of course. We all did. Epitome of CLASS & TALENT.

[dazza64339]

WTF why would 2 people not like this, some people have no taste at all!

[MrBandmom]

My great Aunt & Uncle wrote this song. Jack did the music and Mary did the lyrics. Jack actually did get lost in the Oregon Desert...hence he wrote the song. What has been said in these comments is correct. I was a small child in the 50's. I have picture of Jack and Mary in New York all gussied up...receiving recognition for their song..thru BMI. They also wrote Chapel By The Sea. When I saw 16...my family traveled from the midwest to Oregon and visited with them when they lived on Barbar

[TheChinawall]

Great voice!

[icemini2]

classic and well worth the listen.

[ZJSwanepoel]

I grew up with his music in our home, and it still is ..music in our home,

[flapjack551]

There will never be another jim reeves.

[Econachards]

Jim Reeves, we will never forget you...

[lesleyricks]

I haven't heard this in a long time, I guess I've missed it, it's nice to hear it again.

[jake97760]

Joe you nailed it. These folks were first class. I was a youngster when these folks were new. They never get old do they?

[dakotasa1]

music too cherish forever..thank you from sunny South Africa

[BrickPa]

@dakotasa1 If you search a bit you should be able to find songs by Jim sung in Afrikaans.

[mokatop]

Chilliwack ;- Jim is one of the very best, and this is a great song..Thank you...

[mokatop]

Chilliwack ;- Jim is one of the very best, and this is a great song..

[tradeboy007]

Toay is Aug 20 2010,Gentleman Jim Reeves would have been 87 today if he had lived R.I.P-Thank goodness we have such an arsenal of his music. GREETINGS FROM IRELAND-SLAINTE

[Alanmdouglas]

Don and Windsor : Don Estelle And Windsor Davies - Whispering Grass [totp2]

Alan Douglas

[coachrv31]

Many years ago in the 1950s, this song was number 1 on the weekly tv show "Your Hit Parade." If my memory is correct -even though senior moments occur as well - "The Shifting, Whispering Sands" was at the top of the charts for nearly 7 weeks. Perhaps someone else remembers this as well and/or can verify or add some details that I have left out.

[Johanester435]

wha t a nice song we shall remember hi al the time

[Anaheimfan]

2:58 to 3:14 is an amazing picture

[Anaheimfan]

This is a rather haunting song, and Jim Reeves' voice just sends chills up your spine. It's one of the most "relaxing" voices in country music history.

[phil1958uk]

Did Windsor Davis, and Don Estelle, do a version of this?

[comeonfolks]

I am 20 and I pretty much agree with the folks about the talent issue. But since I am probably going to be stuck with Taylor Swift music when I'm old, I'll have to try and enjoy it. Jim Reeves, though, and that era of music, to around 1992ish is the greatest. You all should check out Roy Drusky, he's dead now, but he was the same kind of style as Jim Reeves.

[HiWayLady49]

@comeonfolks When they were kids, my daughter and her cousins found the stack of records my sisters and I listened to back in the fifties and sixties. Then they found even older music their grandparents listened to. Those kids had a ball growing up listening to the best of three generations of music. While they enjoy today's music, all of them agree the best ones are the 'oldies'. One day your kid will love Swift, Reeves, even the beatles, lol, and whatever new groups come out for the next gen.

[fairfaxety]

A work of Art

[andorionstar]

He has a very nice voice, but I remember hearing the wind while singing but don't know who sings that version. Anyone who knows? I like this song anyway.

[candw87]

I think it is Johnny Cash

[BrickPa]

@andorionstar

As near as I can determine the first version of this song was by Rusty Draper. The song was written in 1950 and over the years has been recorded by Billy Vaughn, Lorne Greene, Johnny Cash and Walter Brennan to name a few. AFAIK Cash's version is the most recent.

[coachrv31]

I can remember many, many years ago when this song was on the top of the charts on "Your Hit Parade." In response to your wonderment, I think Rex Allen made this song a hit - definitely singing as well as recitation. In fact, there was definitely more singing. I would really have liked to have Jim Reeves sing this as well. He has a super voice, one that continues to live on.

[coachrv31]

@andorionstar - - -I don't know how far back timewise you are referring to, but when this was at the top of the charts ( I think in the '50s), I think the original artist was Rex Allen, and the sound of the wind could be heard. Since this was back a number of years, I may be somewhat off-base here. But I distinctly remember when the song was quite popular, and was recorded first by Rex Allen. You may be able to verify this with a bit of research on YouTube.

[coachrv31]

@andorionstar - - I mentioned to you once before about crediting Rex Allen with the original recording. Upon further research, I found that it was Rusty Draper. You can check this out under his name on YouTube and also listen to the recording around 1955. As you listen to that version, perhaps that is the one you remember.

[joepilot48]

This years "Country Music Awards" program is ample proof of our bankruptcy in talent, especially where (so called) country music is concerned. Taylor Swift is a pretty young girl. She will never have to work a day in her life. But compare her "talent" to that of Connie Smith, Dottie West, Barbara Mandrell, Patsy Cline, (I could go on and on, but you get the idea) etc. Could not carry water for any of them. Too shallow, too young, too fru-fru! Too much style, not nearly enough substance!

[tradeboy007]

@joepilot48 WOW JOE, I TOTALLY AGREE WITH YOU-5*****  GREETINGS FROM IRELAND-SLAINTE

[joepilot48]

@tradeboy007 Thank you my friend. Greetings across the pond from Tennessee! Hope you and yours are well and happy.

[dakotasa1]

@tradeboy007 this is what memories are made of.....amazing lyrics that will live with me forever...love from sunny South Africa

[Teflon65]

@joepilot48 You are so right. I hold no ill will towards contemporary Country artists. In fact, I'm sure most of them are very nice, down to earth people, but give me yesterday's country music any day!

[franklindavid]

These songs were created during the  innocent days of American culture, when there was family values.

[joepilot48]

No body does this kind of stuff anymore. We are poorer because the focus of our so-called "music" today is mostly on gutteral impulses, animal passions, and outrageous lust. Where are the talents that can actually sing a song and tell a story with it? Gone, I fear. Like the Shifting Whispering Sands!

[UPALLNITE4U]

@joepilot48

Amen, Joe. Amen.

[didahdahdit]

Haven't heard this since my sister played it on the piano 50 years ago . Oh the sands of time. Wonderfully atmospheric.

[candw87]

You are almost there with him as you listen to the words

[Mycroft1234]

The stark pictures and this haunting song makes a powerful, memorable combination. Many thanks for your effort.

[asv822]

What an old,beautiful and sad song! Jim Reeves was such a GREAT singer! Awesome video! Thank you!

[gigget42]

@asv822

yes he was, they don't make them any more like him, come close on a few artist, but just not him

[dagenhamdaveNo1]

Jean, thanks for sharing.I've not heard this for a long time. Oh how his voice blends to the spoken word as well as his singing.

God Bless

David

[tranmerefan1311]

Gentleman Jim at his best...What a smooth mellow voice ..truly the best ....

If you get a chance have a listen to ' Charlie Landsborough' ...... from the UK....Birkenhead ...

[dagenhamdaveNo1]

Thanks for the tip re Charlie Landsborough. I have 3 of his CD's an a month ago I sent his "My Forever Friend" to all my Youtube friends. I used to listen to "London Country Radio" while driving to and from work and his music which is where I dicovered his songs. Sadly the station stopped broadcasting some years ago.

God Bless

David

[tranmerefan1311]

No problem David ( My son's name ) ...

I once shared a drink with Charlie in a pub in Birkenhead where he grew up on Merseyside....A truly nice god fearing gentleman.... I also knew a singer called David Alexander who sadly passed away a few years ago...He too was a great artist...

and a favourite of mine was his " Answer to Everything "

[Jeantheodore]

David,this one I didn't know of Jim Reeves,maybe you did?so I share it with you. God bless.

Jean.

[nuwan5454]

It is a sound of intimate

[fluxgenerator]

This one stays with me always!Memories.

[Teflon65]

I feel compelled to add, that I hear post-apocalyptic undertones here, but that may just be me. It vaguely reminds me of an old Twilight Zone, where they told an hallucinating veteran that he had not really been out on the desert. Yet, why all that sand in his shoes?

[Teflon65]

This was a favorite of my uncle, George. He had a version that was very good, but which I have not seen, or heard, on You Tube. I forget who did the version, on the 45rpm record he had, but he loved Jim Reeves, too, so I think he would have approved of this.

[candw87]

@Teflon65 l think that was Eamon Andrews

[Teflon65]

@candw87 It turns out that the version I remembered was by Billy Vaughn and Ken Nordine. I just found it on here.

[torch741]

This was my fathers favorite song by his favorite singer ---- Gentleman Jim, a great singer and a great song

Dave

[Tommyzischt]

Das erste Lied das ich bewusst von einer Schallplatte hörte. Es begleitet mich schon über vierzig Jahre und meine Nackenhaare stellen sich immer noch auf. Danke für die Veröffentlichung RIP Gentlemen

[Barnatopark]

What a beautiful, peaceful voice. Masterful yet gentle at the same time. Thanks for posting

[jteeeeeton]

Just discovered this - I was asking about Jims Talking songs in an earlier message. Great to hear this one again. I like his versions of Robert W. Sevrice poems also. Thanks a lot. J.E.

[stevegilbert1985]

When I was a boy my dad used to sing this to me.Hearing it again reminds me of the great hole losing him has left in my life.Miss you dad,R.I.P., Davy G.

[stevegilbert1985]

Brings back so many memories of my father rip dad,dave

[toptennor]

beautifull.he will always be whith us.we will never forget jim reeves

[KyBabe44]

This is absolutely beautiful. The song has always been one of my favorites. If this isn't the "Velvet Voice" of Jim Reeves, there was no such thing. Another one who was taken from us much too soon.

[zaaritha]

Great song,saw a program last week about the sand .

[brisansam66]

thanks for anothergreat one.

[Wanderwd]

And I echo your sentiment. A great song. Great voice.

[ljubaresident]

My fathers favorite. Memories from beatyfull childhood...

[chrisroyheppell]

simply magic

[wilmaohman]

another great song, by an all time great.

[patricksongs]

This is one of my favourites 5 star rated

Thanks

[musyokat]

lovely!

[Ronnie71121]

What wonderful memories! Thanks for posting this.

[jtls8]

Been a long time sense I have heard this Alan.

Thank you for posting.

[maurieer]

The good ole 60s and the memories

that go along with it.

Thanks.