Ed Ames - When The Snow Is On The Roses (1967/2017) [Hi-Res]

"When the Snow Is on the Roses" is similar in sentiment to the pop standard "The Things We Did Last Summer," a song about summer love weathering the cold season. Ed Ames took it to the top of the adult contemporary charts with a rendition that pairs his deep, powerful baritone with delicate xylophone and acoustic guitar; five years later, Sonny James covered the song and made it a country chart-topper, too. Ames' 1967 album When the Snow Is on the Roses was one of his best sellers and for good reason -- it's full of appealing, melodic songs, none of which are overworn favorites the likes of which fill so many other easy listening vocal albums from this period. The album is richly orchestrated without dated production touches and easily sustains the listeners' interest through its course of 11 ballads. The lovely "Timeless Love" was the album's other hit single, but tucked away among the album tracks are minor treasures like the sophisticated "Strangers" and the light pop of "Mary in the Morning." When the Snow Is on the Roses is a substantial and consistent album that will reward listeners who care to investigate Ames beyond his hits. ~ Greg Adams