Tammy Wynette - Take Me To Your World/I Don't Want To Play House (1968)

Built around the two big hits comprising the title, Take Me to Your World/I Don't Wanna Play House was a strong outing from Tammy Wynette, sensitively and sparely produced by Billy Sherrill (who co-wrote those two hits and one of the other better tracks, "Good"). Wynette is in good plaintive voice throughout the record, showing her interpretive skills to good effect on her version of Johnny Ray's "Cry," although the reading of "Ode to Billie Joe" is too jaunty (especially when compared with Bobbie Gentry's magnificent original). "It's My Way," with its sad melody, multi-tracked vocals, and spare steel guitar, is a standout. © Richie Unterberger