Rex Allen Jr.’s 1971 Recording of “Country Comfort”

 

REX ALLEN JR.-SSS 837.
COUNTRY COMFORT (Dick James Music, BMI)
Elton John and Bernie Taupin wrote this hip country tune. This Is the kind of product that will turn the younger listeners on to country.
https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Record-World/70s/71/RW-1971-05-29.pdf
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Rex Allen Jr. recorded a notable country version of “Country Comfort,” the song originally written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin for the album Tumbleweed Connection. His single was released on the SSS International label with the catalog number SSS 837. At the time, music publications highlighted the track as a “hip country tune,” noting that Elton John and Bernie Taupin’s songwriting brought a modern appeal that could attract younger listeners to country music.

The version by Rex Allen Jr. was associated with Sun Record Co. as producer and later appeared under Sun Label Group, LLC. Although the original recording dates to 1971, this release was reissued digitally with a release date listed as January 1, 1979. The track is titled “Country Comfort · Rex Allen, Jr.” under the Sun Label Group catalog.

The recording maintains the Americana storytelling of the original composition while giving it a traditional country arrangement typical of Rex Allen Jr.’s style. This interpretation helped broaden the song’s reach beyond Elton John’s rock and folk audiences, demonstrating its versatility and strong narrative structure.