More than 60 years after the untimely death of Patsy Cline, the velvet voice of country music’s first true crossover star is making headlines again. Cline, the singer whose vocals were responsible for hits like “Crazy” and “I Fall to Pieces” is back in the spotlight with the release of never-heard-before recordings.
On Saturday, a limited-edition two-LP set will be released nationwide in celebration of Record Store Day. The full collection, Imagine That: The Lost Recordings (1954–1963), will also be available as a two-CD set and digital download next Friday. It will be a posthumous album filled with rediscovered live recordings.
Patsy Cline’s new album will contain unreleased songs
The new album includes 48 tracks sourced from live performances throughout Cline’s career. Remarkably, 15 of these songs have never been released in any format. In addition to unreleased material, fans can expect new versions of beloved hits like “Crazy,” “I Fall to Pieces,” and “Walkin’ After Midnight.”
The album also features two of Cline’s earliest known recordings from 1954 and duets she never had the chance to release, including tracks with Cowboy Copas, who died alongside her in the crash.
The collection was spearheaded by discographer George Hewitt, who collaborated with engineer Dylan Utz and producer Zev Feldman. Their discovery journey began when a D.C.-area man reached out to George Hewitt after stumbling upon a rare acetate disc in his parents’ vinyl collection. It contained a 78-rpm record with song titles that had never appeared on any known Patsy Cline recordings.
Patsy Cline passed away at age 30
Though Cline’s life was cut short at just 30, her impact only increased with time. This new project sheds light on her growth, versatility, and the skills she brought to every performance.”It really demonstrates how Patsy adapted as an artist,” said Hewitt. “She refined her artistry over time and almost reinvented herself.”
Patsy’s daughter, Julie Fudge, who was just 4 years old when her mother died, described the album as a “blessing.” Now 66, she expressed gratitude that her mother’s music continues to inspire generations, including her own grandchildren. Julie Fudge hopes the music will help her grandchildren experience their legendary grandmother in a personal way. “It’s one thing to say your grandmother sang,” she said. “But this can actually bring her to life for them.”