Customer Reviews

12 Classics

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Although Ed Bruce has the words right, the lacks his original voice as in the original recordings. The music is lackluster and does not meet up to the standards of Ed Bruce recordings.
The best bet would be to hang in there until "Ed Bruce's Greatest Hits" are available.

You have to look pretty carefully on the back of this CD to find the minuscule, typed explanation: "Contains new recordings of Ed Bruce's greatest hits, recorded April 1997." After finding it, one might be inclined to think this was some quick knock-off to fill out a contractual obligation or cash in via a TV offer. But a quick spin through the tracks finds Bruce's voice in good shape, supported by well-crafted productions that are neither chintzy (okay, there are some less than stellar uses of keyboards), nor overblown with modern studio techniques.

The album opens with Bruce's largest success as a songwriter, "Mammas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys." Though known for its chart-topping version by Waylon & Willie, Bruce himself actually took it to the top-20 three years earlier. Bruce covers eleven additional tunes, seven from his own pen, including a nice rendition of "The Last Cowboy Song" (on which he is remindful of Waylon, himself).

As with most re-recordings, this is not the place to start your appreciation of the artist's catalog. The best place for that would be Varese's now out-of-print "The Best of Ed Bruce," featuring most of these songs in their original versions. On the one hand, Bruce's maturity and rethinking of his songs is worth hearing, on the other, recording many years worth of hits in a short series of sessions can't help but compress the range these songs originally presented. While these are anything but throwaways, they're also no substitute for the originals, leaving them mostly for Ed Bruce fans and completists.

I just can't understand why a stand up guy like Ed Bruce would be a party to a sleazy, underhanded, lowdown RERECORD like this. Maybe he needs the money. Or nobody told him the dates on the CD would be so poorly marked unsuspecting fans would get duped. Whatever the reason, it's not a very good way to say thanks to those who have supported him all these years. Even if this is the only way to make these songs available, people still deserve to know what they are getting. So much for Ed, what about Varese Sarbande Record company? They have a good reputation in this country for selling quality CDs-- with original recordings. And amazingly Ed Bruce Greatest Hits contained original recordings--but they pulled it off the market. And now it sells used on Amazon for $80!!! Maybe they lost the rights to market Ed Bruce's greatest hits, but a rerecord is hardly a solution!!! After all, it makes me want to question the authenticity of all their other C&W CD's [Wilburn Brothers, Donna Fargo, Joe Stamply, Susan Raye, Jeanne Pruett, Paul Overstreet]. Do they contain original or rerecordings? If those are real, then why are they trying to palm off this bogus Ed Bruce greatest hits CD? Man, that burns me up. Varese! You have taken money from millions of C&W fans under false pretenses. Unless you want us storming your office -- in Paris, here's what you should do. Pay whatever you have to pay to put the ED Bruce Greatest Hits containing original recordings back on the US market. And we'll call it even.

I purchased this cd for one song, After All. I have the original song on 45 that I bought new in the early '80's. I couldn't wait to hear it on cd. It turns out it is Ed Bruce singing to a karaoke version. He and his wife wrote the song, but you couldn't tell. He is so off beat, it is disturbing to listen to. I put it on my shelf never to listen to it again. I was so dissapointed.

Ed Bruce has been one of my favorite voices for years. This CD is a little disappointing as it has either been re-recorded or re-mastered. It does not seem to be the original recordings of these songs. His voice is still strong but seems to lack some of the resonant baritone from his younger days. He is still one prolific writer and singer after all this time.

We heard an Ed Bruce song that jogged our memories about how much we enjoyed his music and acting.
We found this CD on Amazon and ordered it. Service was prompt, price was reasonable, and the product is
excellent. We are ejoying listening to many old favorites.

Definitely a treasure and a classic. One of the classics hard to find, deep baritonic voice smothered with refined whiskey, cupped with mother's love. Ed Bruce, an actor, with James Garner topped his career as a Country Artist, a voice with distinct tone is refreshing. Not many artists' have the realm of baritonic sound, within the range of Trace Atkins, but Ed Bruce's "My First Taste of Texas" defines beauty.

Can't beleive I didn't bought this one years ago. Ed Bruce is truly a great songwriter. I can warmly recommend this CD.

I believe the most beautiful song (both words and vocals) I ever heard was his original "After All" but that version is only available in his original greatest hits CD. Does anyone know when that CD will ever be re-released ???? I am heartbroken that I can not get that song today! What is going on?? The version offered now does not have that great, slowly increased vibrato, that he used in the original and the timing of the song is different. I was so excited until I heard the change...I pray Ed will re-release those original "Gems" for those of us that love his music.

Max

I ordered this CD from Ed Bruce's website, excited to get a CD of the songs I loved so long ago. The CD came signed by Ed Bruce which was very nice, but when I was playing the CD I was so surprised that the songs just didn't sound the same. Turns out these are just rerecordings of his greatest hits! The quality of the rerecordings is just not the same as the originals. Ed Bruce's voice is beautiful on the CD, but with the background music and cheap acoustics, the whole thing sounds like karaoke. It appears that his truly original hits aren't being printed anymore. To get a true recording of his greatest hits, you can either pay 80 dollars for some used tape, or you can pirate his music. I've never seen a better reason to start pirating!