Customer Reviews

16 Biggest Hits

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Lynn Anderson's rich recording catalog has been neglected for most of the digital era. Thankfully, Collectors Choice Music put together the 24-track Greatest Hits two years ago. It was the first cd to combine hits from Anderson's '60s Chart Records and '70s Columbia Records tenures. Now there is also this 16 Biggest Hits which includes many of the tracks found on that superior set.

Signing with Chart Records in 1966, Anderson was an immediate success thanks in large part to mom Liz's songwriting. These songs - like "If I Kiss You" and "Promises, Promises" - featured clever wordplay that played off her youthful exuberance. Also, the heartbreaking "Big Girls Don't Cry" which showed Anderson's adeptness with ballads.

At Columbia, Joe South's compositions "Rose Garden," "Fool Me," and "How Can I Unlove You" provided Anderson with an early boost. Even more important was the writing and production involvement of husband Glenn Sutton, whom Anderson married just prior to joining Columbia. At Columbia, Sutton matched the brisk pace of Anderson's best Chart recordings with his narcissistic songwriting efforts "You're My Man" and "What A Man, My Man Is." He also encouraged Anderson to stretch stylistically, with the breezily seductive "Sing About Love" and a remake of Johnny Ray's "Cry" that showed she could effectively go from delicate to bombastic within the course of a song.

The only recording on 16 Biggest Hits that isn't on Greatest Hits is her first hit, "Ride, Ride, Ride." It is essential, but there are far many (nine) other hits included on Greatest Hits that aren't found here. The omissions include hit remakes of "I've Been Everywhere" and "Rocky Top" which displayed Anderson at her most irresistibly chipper, and the witty tale of exasperation "Talkin' To The Wall." If you can only afford one Lynn Anderson disc and can live without "Ride, Ride, Ride," Greatest Hits is the far better collection and value.

Lynn Anderson's genius for singing and interpreting a song shines remarkably bright on this CD even though this isn't a truly thorough compilation of her hits and well known songs. Nevertheless, there's not a bad track on this album; Lynn performs faultlessly every time she sings or records a song. In addition, the sound quality is very good and the artwork is nicely done as well.

"Ride, Ride, Ride" starts the CD off with a strong number; the guitar is well used in the musical arrangement and Lynn's talent shimmers! This was one of Lynn's earlier hits and it shows how from the very start her talent was very exceptional. "If I Kiss You (Will You Go Away)," a number that was written by her gifted mother Liz Anderson, shimmers In Lynn's more than capable hands; I love this song and I could never tire of hearing it! "Promises, Promises," which was also written by Lynn's mother, gets the royal treatment from Lynn Anderson; and she sings "No Another Time" with panache! "Big Girls Don't Cry" has Lynn squarely front and center--which is right where she belongs! Listen also for the other gems including the rather suggestive "Flattery Will Get You Everywhere" with its memorable sound and lyrics; "That's A No No" with even more sublime electric guitar and more to accompany Lynn as she sings; and "Stay There Till I Get There" by her husband Glenn Sutton which Lynn delivers faultlessly with all her heart and soul--what an upbeat sounding tune this is about two people who just can't live without each other despite their human faults!

"Rose Garden," of course, was a huge hit for Lynn Anderson; and if you haven't heard this one yet just one listen will tell you why! "You're My Man" is another gem I love to hear; and "How Can I Unlove You" moves me when Lynn sings it. "Fool Me" is very well done; and Lynn does a superlative job with her rendition of a poignant song Johnnie Ray often sang, "Cry." Sublime!

"Keep Me in Mind" stuns me with its natural beauty; and Lynn never lets go of a superlative note as she sings this with all her heart and soul. I'm impressed. "What a Man My Man Is" again features Lynn at her usual very best; and the CD closes with Lynn Anderson performing "Top of the World (Single Version)" which I first heard performed by Karen and Richard Carpenter.

While I agree with the reviewer who suggests that you seriously consider the version of Lynn's "Greatest Hits" with 24 tracks instead of the 16 we get here, make no mistake about it: this remains a fine CD with beautiful, unforgettable music by one of the most talented songbirds we've ever seen. I still recommend this album for Lynn Anderson fans; and it also makes a fine introductory CD for people just discovering the singular talent of the great Lynn Anderson.

She doesn't get much credit for it these days but for a decade or so, Lynn Anderson was one of country music's biggest stars and top 3 or 4 female vocalists. This 16 BIGGEST HITS collection is from those years 1966-1975 and includes 13 of her 18 Billboard top ten country songs. This album is roughly divided between her years on Chart Records (1966-1970) and Columbia Records (1970-1980); it's great to see the Chart songs in this collection but since she was a considerably bigger star during the Columbia era perhaps those tracks should have dominated the collection. Most of her biggest hits are here with the notable exception of LISTEN TO A COUNTRY SONG which I feel should have replaced the enjoyably risque FLATTERY WILL GET YOU EVERYWHERE which just missed being a top ten record. RIDE RIDE RIDE, her first hit, also didn't go top ten but I feel it deserves it's slot being the song that introduced her to the country audience big time. During the Chart era, many of her songs were written by her talented singer-songwriter mother Liz Anderson including the brillant IF I KISS YOU (still one of Anderson's best performances ever), PROMISES PROMISES, and BIG GIRLS DON'T CRY, at Columbia her husband/record producer Glenn Sutton wrote much of her material including the #1's YOU'RE MY MAN, KEEP ME IN MIND, and WHAT A MAN MY MAN IS.

Lynn's two biggest hits were the Joe South songs ROSE GARDEN and HOW CAN I UNLOVE YOU, the former of course being an international smash and multi-million seller, earning Lynn every major award during the 1970-71 season for a country female singer. This is a terrific package of much of the best work of one of country music's best female vocalists.

I've been a fan of Lynn Anderson since the age of 5, and these songs are dear to my heart. The remastering of these original recordings has made them crackle with energy that has addicted me all over again. Listening to this on headphones, hearing all the instruments clearly, and hearing the songs the way they are supposed to sound... it's just amazing. I truly hope that more of her back catalog can be released in this way. Thank you so much.

This was a gift for my daughter's Christmas and she absolutely loves it! Lynn Anderson was popular when she was a young girl and one of her favorites. She wants her daughters to enjoy it as much as she does so plays it in the car for them!

I would reccommend this cd for a new listener or someone who is familar with this wonderful singer.5 STARS!

Lynn Anderson has been my favortite forever. Her style is above all others. She has class as well as a great country voice. She also shares a great interest with me--A love of Quarter Horses.

I have always enjoyed listening to Lynn Anderson and have been looking for some songs for , it seems like forever. It was great to find all the songs I was looking for on one disc. I love this cd.

Hi, I like this album I like the old country music sometimes but this is very good I listened to it twice already.