Search - Lynn Anderson :: Anthology: Columbia Years

Classic Sounds from a Country Legend

07/16/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A few of the reviews seem as though they're defending Lynn Anderson from the lable of a "One Hit Wonder", because she is so identified with one song, "Rose Garden". Having heard the "name" Lynn Anderson all my life, I knew she was one of the bigger (if not THE biggest) names in Country Music throughout the 1970s and remember her being all over the radio during this time....with song after song. Her track record of hits is pretty amazing.....8 Number Ones, 18 Top Tens and over 50 Top 40.....but all roads always seem to lead back to "Rose Garden". I think this is so easy to happen because that song was such a MONSTER HIT! It was on every station, no matter what the genre was. From what I've read, it was purely intended to be a country record and went on to be so much more.....making it to the top spot on the Pop Charts back in 1971, something that was almost unheard of for the time. Having a "Rose Garden" would be a once-in-a-career dream for any artist, but the hope of repeating that success goes way beyond the realms of a dream and into the reality of being unrealistic, for any artist. Although Miss Anderson had several other number ones ("Top of the World", "Cry" and "How Can I Unlove You"...just to name a few), they're always overshadowed by the phenomenon of "Rose Garden". This is a wonderful collection of an artist in her prime. I can honestly say there isn't a bad song in this collection, and every hit of Miss Anderson's is included. I would highly recommend."

All the kings horses...

12/28/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Lynn Anderson was far from a "one hit wonder"! It does not surprise anyone, however, that she is remembered for one of her big records "Rose Garden" than for her vast output for Columbia Records between 1970-1980. How could anyone remember that work when it has been so criminally absent from the digital age? Kudos to Renaissance for putting out a quality re-issue of songs that make "Rose Garden" seem pretty minor in her ouevre. Shame on Columbia for making her fans wait so long! What you will hear here is a woman evolving. From the innocence of "Rose Garden" to the devastating "All the Kings Horses", you hear how Lynn Anderson could pick you up and break you down. You'll also hear her voice take on a harder edged bluesy tinge as the years progress. As the years progress in this collection, the material tends to become thinner. Lynn Anderson seems a singer too great for her songs. You'll also hear repeated attempts to recapture the allure of the "Rose Garden" theme. The Columbia years were a time of triumph and ultimate upset for Anderson. If this brings another generation of listeners to her music, the compilers of this disc should be proud of themselves."

Awesome Collection, Brings Back Great Childhood Memories!

Gregory D. Wade | Anchorage, Alaska | 01/13/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I received my copy of this very long-awaited Lynn Anderson collection last month and as I listened to all of the songs from 1 to 22, it brought back childhood memories of when my cousin Lisa would come over on the weekends and we would put on, what we called a concert. We'd sing along to a bunch of Lynn Anderson's great songs. The other night, I gave Lisa this CD for her Christmas present and when she saw it, she said.......... Oh Lynny! (As we have always called her) Lisa was leaving Anchorage, heading back to where she lives now in Washington State. She said..."I can't wait to listen to this on the plane". She then read off some of her favorite songs..."Stay There 'Til I Get There", "How Can I Unlove You", "I Love How You Love Me", "Cry" and of course the monster smash hit..."Rose Garden".Lisa also reminded me of when she came to visit me back in 1976, she was around 11 and I was 9. My Mom and I were living over a restaurant that she owned and Lisa and I somehow got a few of the cooks to come up and see us perform in our so-called concert, singing along with my Lynn Anderson records. We had a good laugh recalling that memory. I have no idea what they thought about the whole thing.This terrific collection deserves five big stars and I would give it more, if there were more to give. I have always loved her very original voice. There is no one that sounds quite like her.If you like this collection by Lynn, I just have to recommend that you order the "Anthology" by my absolute favorite singer Sylvia, which is actually the very first, of the many country Anthologies that have been released by Renaissance Records. "Sylvia Anthology" was released in November of 1997 and paved the way for all the CD collections that have followed. :)"