Search - Ernest Tubb :: Let's Say Goodbye Like We Said Hello

An excellent look into post-war America through its music.

01/10/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This five disc set shows that the only one's who know what gifts America truly has are those who are not American. It took the Bear family of Germany to compile the works of Ernest Tubb and other country greats that have long been forgotten by those who think the genre is best when you add a steel guitar to rock and roll. This box set gives the late-90's America a look at post- World War II America and a to what great country music is all about.The five discs have a heavy dose of heartache with songs like "Reply to Rainbow at Midnight" and "You Hit The Nail Right on the Head." This, of course, deals with cheating, drinking and some sexist (though not necessarily incorrect) views of women such as "G-I-R-L spells Trouble."The first disc contains songs Ernest Tubb recorded in 1947 and 1948, at the height of ihs popular career. This year saw Ernest Tubb become the first country singer to perform at Carnegie Hall in New York City and found his songs on juke boxes all over the country and world.The second disc picks up with "Biting My Fingernails" a song that Andrew Sisters recorded with Ernest in 1949 in order to combine the forces of both Decca powerhouses. In true Ernest style it is, above all else, a country song as he refused to perform a pop song.The other discs include an assortment gospel, Christmas, Jimmy Rodger (his idol)songs, hard-core country and humorous recordings. Perhaps the most memorable (for those who have gotten over the shock the he was the first to record and popularize "Blue Christmas") are the humorous songs done as either a duet with his long-time friend Red Foley or as a trio with Foley and Queen of Country Comedy Minnie Pearle. From tongue-in-cheek "answer" songs to "Goodnight, Eileen" and "Tennessee Border" to the back-stabbing "You're a Real Good Friend."The music in all is solid work that stands up well to 50 years of time. Some you could see being done with a "rock" tempo and being hits in 1999. In fact, as country has become rock with more drinking than drugs and strong females than groupies, a couple of more electric guitars and the elimination of the cheesy electric organ and they would as the field is starving for ideas.This set shows why Ernest Tubb was so popular as to influence the world to stop calling the genre "hillbilly" to today's country & western and why it's criminal that more people who listen to country radio do not know him. Once enough intelligent people heard recordings by this man and he would get the recognition he deserves. In fact, if enough people had access to this style music from Tubb and others preserved by the Bear family there would be a realization how vacuous and self-important most country music has become."

Bear Family, you are the best!

mahes | Mississauga, Ontario Canada | 10/19/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Everything that reviewer below said about Ernest and this box set are so true, I couldn't agree with him more. ET helped so many struggling artists in country music including Willie Nelson, Hank Williams, Hank Snow, Cal Smith, Jack Green and the list goes on and on. Ernest Tubb's music and legacy will always live on forever and this box set is definitely a must for all ET fans. You will hear him sing gospel, Christmas, his idal Jimmie Rogers's songs and also some humorous duets with Red Foley. Ernest and Red were such great buddies and the song You're A Real Good Friend is such a joy to listen to. Also, take a listen to ET's tribute to Hank Williams shortly after his death called Hank, It won't Be The Same Without You. It is such an emotional song and everything that he says in that song about Hank is so true. You will not be disappointed with this set."