Search - Marty Robbins :: 16 Biggest Hits

Sony Botches Marty again!

08/01/2001

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I now have two Marty Robbins Greatest hits compilations. Both "Lifetime of Song" from '82, and 16 Greatest Hits from '98, fail to include the stereo recordings of five of perhaps his greatest hits on the country charts. They are, El Paso, Devil Woman, Don't Worry, Ruby Ann, and Ribbon of Darkness. On 16 Greatest Hits, I find it funny that the producers tag the back of the cd with notes on how the latest technology was used to create the ultimate sound on this CD, and yet they still choose the mono masters, used by Columbia,to stamp 45's back in the early '60's. Someone's either not doing their homework on Marty's work, or Sony's just trying to hastilly turn a buck on the Columbia back catalog. I suspect the latter! Anyway, I'm not sure which collection contains the original stereo recordings of these hits, but trust me, I've heard them on other country compilation albums, and there's no comparison. Other than that, there are some salvagable tracks on here, Tonight Carmen, from '67, and Just Married from '58 are exceptional, (and in stereo i might add)! Overall a good compilation, but the stereo flaw costs this one two stars. C'mon producers, you can do better, especially 40 years after the fact!"

PURE PLEASURE

02/09/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I HAVE THIS CD AND FIND IT EVERYTHING I LOVE ABOUT COUNTRY MUSIC. HIS VOICE RANGE IS HEAVENLY. THE CHOICE OF SONGS IS PERFECT AND SOOTHING. I MISS HIS WONDERFUL TALENT."

A great voice gone

08/08/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I grew up with Marty playing on the first (black & white) tv on our block in Phoenix. He ran the camera and was the performer for his one-man guitar-singing show which filled a mid-afternoon slot. Through the course of a long career he did as much for the ballad as any performer, matching in the truth of song, his lively, simple and plain-spoken lifestyle. His rich tenor, great voice control, and unique arrangements have proven timeless. They entranced me as a youth, and nothing has changed. Whenever I first hear Marty singing, I am inexorably drawn toward it with a slight shiver of anticipation..."