Search - Wilburn Brothers :: Greatest Hits-The Wilburn Brothers

Terrific, consistent country hitmakers

hyperbolium | Earth, USA | 01/03/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It's astonishing that a duo that had thirty hit singles and recorded dozens of LPs for Decca are so thinly represented in the CD reissue market. Varese expands upon the budget best-ofs (and matches Edsel's out-of-print import disc) with an eighteen track helping of the duo's charting sides, stretching from their first solo success (1955's "I Wanna, Wanna, Wanna") through 1967's "Goody, Goody, Goody." Although this omits earlier work backing Webb Pierce ("Sparkling Brown Eyes") and their last few top-40 entries ("The Sun's Gonna Shine" from 1969 and "Little Johnny From Down the Street" from 1970), it captures the core of their hits for Decca, including their early hard-country sides, their dip into countrypolitan (1962's excellent "Trouble's Back in Town" and "The Sound of Your Footsteps," both featuring The Anita Kerr Singers), and their return to the hard-country sounds that had brung them to the party in the first place.



The Wilburn's were long on music industry experience, both as performers and as executives. Their performing career began with a family singing act in the late '30s, continued as a foursome with their two older brothers, and transformed into a duo by the early '50s. They performed on radio, joined the Louisiana Hayride and the Opry, all the time maintaining a recording career, running a publishing company and starting up a successful talent agency. Their harmonies are apiece with the Delmores, Louvins and Everlys, and while the Wilburn's were country to the core, there's also a good hint of pop in their singing. Many of their best sides have a happiness-and-heartache feel similar to Buck Owens' mid-60s releases. Their 1961 cover of Don Gibson's "Blue Blue Day" is a perfect example - bouncing along on a proto-rock 'n' roll guitar line as the brothers voices intertwine to sing of lost love.



Surprisingly, for all their consistency on the charts, they never hit #1, but they were voted duet of the year by the Music City News in 1967, and their matching stage outfits and personalized guitars (with "WILBURN BROS" inlayed into the necks and their first names inscribed on the pick guards) speak to the showmanship of their live performances. The Wilburn Brothers' belong in the collection of anyone who enjoys twangy country with tight brotherly harmonies. Varese's collection is a great single disc overview of their essential hits -- though given the volume of the duo's output, this is far from a complete picture of their recording career. In addition to a several lower-charting hits (1956's "You're Not Playing Love", 1959's "The Knoxville Girl," 1960's "All My Heartaches," 1964's "Hangin' Around," 1965's "I Had One Too Many"), there are dozens of albums left unanthologized or reissued. Bear Family, where are you? [©2006 hyperbolium dot com]"

A whole lotta music

Jess | Coal Country, PA | 02/11/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"There's a whole lot of music here, and sung with the perfection that only the Wilburn Brothers could provide. Many folks remember the early Wilburn Brother's Television show, which introduced us all to Loretta Lynn, but not even their praiseworthy TV effort can compare to their recording career. Both started out with none other than Webb Pierce, and from there, their careers took off. These guys are easily in the same league as the Louvin's or the DelMore Bros, so this is one CD you need to grab. A must have for the true Country Music Lover"

Greatest Hits

wilburn fan | southern usa | 01/08/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I agree - bring on more reissues of this wonderful duo! I'm ready to buy and I bet others are too!"