The people of South Africa and millions of fans elsewhere in the world have fond
memories of the fine music Jim Reeves produced during his short life. The unique
voice had also a huge impact on the life of Benny Koen and it appealed to many South
Africans.
The style of Jim Reeves and his mellow voice is still very popular, and remains so
even with the younger generation today. Benny likes the Jim Reeves style, because Jim
sang a song with feeling and it came with sincerity and warmth and he had the ability
to touch the hearts of those who listened.
Jim sadly died in 1964 when their single-engine plane ran into difficulties during a
storm and crashed into dense woods outside Nashville. He had the world at his feet
and became also very popular by recording several songs in the Afrikaans language.
Benny Koen’s albums contain songs in Afrikaans and in English.
Benny has not the intention to imitate the unique voice of Jim Reeves, but
his superb voice and deep feeling for a song enables him to sing the Jim Reeves songs
with simplicity, depth and honesty. Benny presents his albums as a tribute to the
late Jim Reeves and to remember Jim’s 80th birthday on August 20th 2003.
I know that you folks will enjoy these albums as much as I do.
Thanks, Benny, for letting me write a few words about your albums and the
wonderful person Jim Reeves.
Gerard van der Linden
Left-Click on a RED song title to Play or Right-Click to download these MP3 samples
