Patsy Cline fans have reason to rejoice. 15 previously unreleased songs by the country music legend have surfaced, 60 years after her tragic death in a plane crash. The new tracks are part of a limited-edition two-LP set titled “Imagine That: The Lost Recordings (1954-1963)”.
The collection, also available as a two-CD set, features a total of 48 tracks, including the 15 newly discovered recordings. Cline’s daughter, Julie Fudge, expressed her emotions about the release. “A lot of people — when you lose someone — you don’t have all these different avenues to remember them,” Fudge said.
“The fact that it’s been more than 60 years and to still have her in our lives every day is quite an accomplishment. It’s been a blessing.”
Fudge collaborated with sound engineer Dylan Utz, producer Zev Feldman, and Cline discographer George Hewitt to uncover and restore the new tracks and live performance recordings. Hewitt calls the release “a dream come true.”
The project was sparked when a Washington, D.C.-area man contacted Hewitt about an acetate disc with Cline recordings he’d found in his parents’ vinyl collection.
Patsy’s timeless voice rediscovered
This discovery led to a larger search, unearthing far more material than initially anticipated. Many recordings were found in private collections, while others emerged from archives and storage vaults, including four performances sourced from the Grand Ole Opry.
The album captures the full trajectory of Cline’s career, showcasing her growth and adaptability as an artist. Among the album’s highlights are the contents of the original acetate 78, believed to be Cline’s earliest recordings from September 1954. The album also includes rare duets, like “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow” and “Winter Wonderland.”
Cline’s life was tragically cut short when a plane crash claimed her life at age 30 on March 5, 1963.
Despite her brief career, Cline’s impact as a great interpreter of the Nashville Sound has cemented her legacy in the music industry. Fudge is eager to share her mother’s new music with the next generations. “It’s one thing to say your grandmother sang,” she says, “but this can actually bring her to life for them.” She believes her mother would be “amazed and delighted” by the enduring interest in her music.
The release of “Imagine That: The Lost Recordings” ensures that Patsy Cline’s voice will continue to enchant and inspire listeners well into the future.
