Another disappointment
Robert R. Roberts | EL PASO, TX United States | 11/04/2004
(2 out of 5 stars)
"At first glimpse, this looks like a collector's dream: an economically priced collection of Webb Pierce's 4-Star, Pacemaker and early Decca sides. The 4-Star material has long been burdened with after-the-fact overdubs of additional instrumentation and vocal choruses, and one would hope that Proper would present it in its original unfettered monophonic glory. Sadly, eight of these tracks are still encumbered with the incongruous ersatz accompaniment that has made them unlistenable since the LP era: High Geared Daddy, New Panhandle Rag, Heebie Jeebie Blues, Sweetheart You Know I Love You So, I'm Happy You Hurt Me, English Sweetheart, Lucy Lee and Jilted Love.
The good news is that the other 20 tracks appear in their original form with good sound. And it's cheap, so one can justifiably buy it and just skip over the offending tracks. But the question remains: Will the original, undubbed versions of Webb Pierce's 4-Star recordings ever be reissued? It's time!
"