Customer Reviews

Always & Forever

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

 

 

I've always been a fan of Kenny Rogers. I was really impressed with the selection on this cd. Not only does it have older songs recorded by him, but offers a variety of great timeless love songs as only Kenny can perform them. This cd is a must for anyone who likes the classics.

I bought two copies of this CD, one for myself and one for my parents on their anniversary. Many of the songs were songs they remembered and enjoyed but Kenny Rogers puts his own stamp on them. Rogers has a voice that is rough and almost gravely at times, but it is has a warmth and beauty few other singers can match. Most people identify Rogers with country songs such as "Ruby", "Reuben James", and "Lucille". These standards hold up very well with his voice, even in songs that require the use of vibrato and some high notes, which are not his strong suit, as in "I Will Always Love You". His natural voice does crack in the middle of phases, which lends almost a "cry" to such songs and "Crazy" and "You Are So Beautiful". If you want to hear a romantic CD by Kenny Rogers, you can't go wrong with this one. This double CD comes with a small contents sheet and no folder...I give it 4 stars...since some of the songs just don't work as well for Rogers voice...still it's a very interesting and compelling anthology of standards sung by one of the best country singers. So give it a listen...

Kenny Rogers has recorded many songs that have become classics including Ruby don't take your love to town, Lucille, The gambler, Coward of the county and many others. This double CD demonstrates Kenny's ability to interpret other classic songs and stamp his own identity on them, although She believes in me, Lady, Through the years and You decorated my life are here to represent his own hits.

The songs here come from a variety of sources and eras. The Great American songbook is represented by As time goes by, Stardust, Always, I only have eyes for you and other great songs. There are a couple of Elvis classics - Love me tender and Can't help falling in love. Endless love, one of the best Motown songs from the eighties, is normally sung as a duet but Kenny's solo rendition is wonderful. I had my doubts when I saw Evergreen listed among the song, but Kenny's version of this Barbra Streisand classic is a good effort although it cannot compete with Barbra's original. Kenny is more suited to country classics like Have I told you lately that I love you, Crazy and I will always love you, or soul classics like When a man loves a woman.

This could hardly be described as an essential album, but Kenny is a versatile performer with a distinctive style and he clearly enjoyed recording these songs.

First I just want to say that I'm a big fan of Kenny Rogers so I might be biased but I'll try to be objective.

Many songs in this 2 CDs are not Kenny Rogers original songs, but still very good love songs (and many actually are better than his original songs. Sorry Kenny.). I enjoyed the love songs that he performed in this album. You send me, Misty, I only have eyes for you, it had to be you etc.. are all very classic songs and timeless... and Kenny performed it just fine.. just make sure you try it out (the samples given by amazon) before buying...

This CD is also sells at a bargain. Just get it and I think you will like it. Also check the 3 CD version which is titled "The best of Love". this 3CD album is more ocmplete compare to the always and forever album. more great love songs included in the 3CD version

For Kenny Roger's new fan, check out "21 Number Ones" album (this CD), "the greatest hit" album and the "Kenny Rogers live by request". Also check the new CD Water and Bridges. The song "I can't unlove you" is a hit.

Here are some of my all time Kenny Rogers favorite songs (almost all of them available in the "21 Number Ones" album. I call this list, Kenny Rogers essential:

The Gambler
Through The Years
Lady
Lucille
Coward of The County
We've Got Tonight (with Sheena Easton)
Crazy
Islands In The Stream (with Dolly Parton)
She Believes In Me
You Decorated My Life
Make No Mistake, She's Mine (with Ronnie Milsap)
Daytime Friends
Love Or Something Like It
Love Will Turn You Around
Morning Desire
The Factory
Twenty years ago
Don't Fall In Love With A Dreamer (with Kim Carnes)
Ruby, Don't take your love to town
Buried treasure
I don't call him daddy
She's ready for someone to love her


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Updated Dec 15th:
I went to see Kenny Rogers live recently (his greatest hits and chrismas song concert.) I had a blast, simply amazing. I recommend all Kenny Rogers fans to visit his concert Live at least once. (We never know how many more years he will do his tour but I do hope for many more years to come)

If you are a Kenny Rogers fan, this CD is a must. It is fantastic. My father who is 80 years old loved the old songs, especially Stardust.