Search - Roy Acuff :: Essential (1936-1949)

Very skimpy-Grt. Hits CD offers more

Ronald George Reagan | Steele, MO | 01/11/2001

(3 out of 5 stars)

"At a running time of just over 50 minutes, this one could've had a lot more added on to it. You get the bare-bones essential, gotta have type of stuff such as "Wabash Cannonball" & "The Great Speckled Bird", but missing are many of the selections that came from his long in print Greatest Hits CD such as "The Devil's Train", "Waiting For My Call To Glory" and many other fine selections. "Lonesome Old River Blues" & "This World Can't Stand Long" are presented in alternate takes from their better known versions. I have always felt an "essential" set should provide the versions that were "hits" not alternate takes as this set would serve as an intro to Acuff's music-not an overview of alternate takes. One plus is everything here is in it's original unaltered mono version-no fake stereo. In short, if you're not familiar with Acuff, this is not a bad set, but the Greatest Hits CD on Columbia offers a broader selection. Columbia, in the future, let Bear Family handle the alternate takes & stick with official versions on domestic releases."

Great CD

Jess | Coal Country, PA | 01/11/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Here's another fine offering by Columbia Country Classics; and this one covers the Father of the Grand Ole Opry. These are original recordings and considering the technology of the time, these are quite good. Of course, the set includes his signature "Great Speckled Bird" and "Wabash Cannonball", but there are other gems, including "The Precious Jewel", "Wreck on the Highway", and "Night Train to Memphis". To make the collection ever more interesting, is the inclusion of three previously unissued alternate takes of: "Steel Guitar Blues", "Lonesome Old River Blues", and "This World Cant Stand Long". Roy was never afraid to show a little emotion, and he never held-back when perfroming, and this CD showcases those talents. Country Music lost one of its greatest treasures with the passing of Mr Acuff; here's your chance to own a little of that magic."