Search - Dottie West :: Are You Happy Baby: Collection (1976-84)

WOW!

03/26/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Why oh why has Country Music ignored this wonderful lady? There's some darn good songs in this compilation. There's heartache songs, fun songs, happy songs, cheatin' songs, and everything else. Ms. West does a find job interpreting the rise and fall of her lifetime through her songs and her singing. From the #1 smash in 1980: "Are you Happy Baby?", to the sassy "Lesson In Leavin" these songs have been gone from radio for a long time. WHY? Dottie West was one of the top country vocalists of her time. A living legend whose career spanned nearly thirty decades. Her untimely death at the age of 58 from the car accident has left a void in Country Music that will not be easily filled. Give the CD a listen, you'll be singing along and reminiscing about those days before you know it!"

Dottie West: The "Shania" of the 70's and 80's!

Peter Durward Harris | 05/10/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Before the days of Shania Twain, Pam Tillis, and other country beauty queens, there was Dottie West. This woman was the first true groundbreaker of Country Music with saucy, suggestive lyrics, and a sassy, husky style. There's some good tunes on this CD, and it's hardly surprising that many of today's leading ladies of Country cite Dottie as one of their influences. JoDee Messina revived Dottie's "Lesson in Leavin", stalling just short of #1. Personally, I think there should be a tribute album done in memory of this lovely lady. The songs on this CD range from happy to sad, melancholic to jazzy and everything in between. What's probably most notable is the fact that these songs really haven't aged that much. The lyrics to "Lesson in Leavin'" and "Are You Happy Baby" (both #1) are timeless. Perhaps Dottie's music was a little ahead of its time. I don't understand how someone who had such an impact on country music has not had ANY of her studio albums re-issued on CD. I've been saying for years that her two biggest LP's "Wild West" and "Special Delivery" need to be remastered and re-issued in all their glory. By far, these were Dottie's best years. Although this set is currently out of print, it might still be kicking around in some places. A darn shame too, since a whole new generation is disovering Dottie's music. Give it a listen and see why Dottie West was Country Music's first Shania Twain!"

Excellent CD of a forgotten artist

Solomon Willis | Cherryville, NC USA | 08/06/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Dottie West is often forgotten in country music, her untimely death was a surprise and a misfortune for us all. Dottie gave country music a new flavor, with her splashy wardrobes and album covers, and her music reflected this new style. The CD is the greatest collection, and one of the few, that is available for Dottie. It contains lots of upbeat songs, and is very representative of the trend of country music in the late 70's and early 80's. "It's High Time" and "Every Word I Write" are among the best, and the Dottie classic "A Leason in Leaving" is also included. This CD is a must have for any true, traditional, country music fan. If you want an escape from the new age of country music, try this Dottie West collection!"