Customer Reviews

Best of

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

What we have here is essentially a re-release of MOST of Jim Stafford's first album on MGM (Wildwood Weed is shamefully missing here, as is, unfortunately, "My Girl Bill" and, thankfully, Stafford's HORRIBLE version of Mr. Bojangles). Included are the single-only "Undecided" and "Your Bulldog Drinks Champagne," which was a hit a couple years later.

This is a good intro to Stafford but the guy was putting out funny stuff well into the '80s. There needs to be a definitive collection. This ain't it.

To put out a "best of" compilation which does not deliver the goods is a deplorable practice all too often evident in today's market, the chief proponents of which are Collectables and Curb. You can now add this distributor. I don't blame the reviewer who feels "gyped." So do I, although I wouldn't go quite so far as to award just one star.

The thing is, it starts off pretty good as the first four tracks represent the A- and B-sides of his first two hits. In June 1973 Swamp Witch made the Top 40, settling in at # 31 Adult Contemporary (AC)/# 39 Billboard Pop Hot 100 b/w Nifty Fifty Blues, while in December, Spiders And Snakes peaked at # 3 Hot 100/# 28 AC/# 66 Country b/w Undecided.

But then it completely skips over My Girl Bill, which hit # 9 AC/# 12 Hot 100/# 64 Country in June 1974 b/w L.A. Mama), and at track 5 instead offers us The Last Chant, which was the uncharted flip of Wildwood Weed [# 7 Hot 100/# 29 AC/# 57 Country in August 1974, and which is NOT included.

Both sides of his next hit are, however, at tracks 6 and 7: Your Bulldog Drinks Champagne (# 24 Hot 100 in January 1975) b/w A Real Good Time. Alas, tracks 8 and 9 were neither hits nor B-sides of hits for Jim. So why are they here in a limited album called "The Best Of Jim Stafford?"

Three of his other seven MGM hit singles are in the Greatest Hits CD advertised by Amazon: My Girl Bill, Wildwood Weed, and Turn Loose My Leg [which hit # 98 in February 1977].

Not to be found anywhere are: I Got Stoned And I Missed It [# 37 Hot 100 in September 1975]; Jasper [# 69 Hot 100 in April 1976]; Cow Patti [# 65 Country in January 1981 on the Viva/Warner label]; What Mama Don't Know [# 61 Country in December 1982 for the Town House label], and Little Bits And Pieces [# 67 Country in March 1984 for Columbia].

It's time Ace of London or Rhino took a hand and gave us a proper anthology of his hits. In the meantime, for the price asked, this is at least a 2-star CD.

Hey guys great Best Of.... well almost the best! I hate to be a big ole whiner so you'd better get some cheese and crackers to go with this whine. So here goes! Even though you covered some good sounds of Jim Stafford. Where's Cow Patti, Wildwood Weed and I Got Stoned And I Missed It? I mean come on, The Last Chant was on the flip side (45 Version) of Wildwood Weed. And it made the cut. The notations on the back of this CD "Bonus CD tracks" should have included these hits. So Polygram Records how about a CD set with everything Jim recorded. And maybe a DVD of his TV appearances including his show. I'd definately buy a copy.

Unless I am taking a bath in the River of Senility, I find all of these Jim Stafford "hits" to be re-recordings and NOT the original versions. A Pity.

I loved Jim Stafford the first time I heard him sing Spiders and Snakes.This C.D. just does not cover his comedic talent sufficiently though it does show varieties of songs he has done.

This kind of music brings back the good days when I was alot younger and life was a whole lot more fun. I recommend everyone should hear his music and enjoy the good clean music we use to have that still made you laugh and have fun.

I bought this CD on Jim Staffords reputation. Now, I'm feeling totally gyped! Only "Spiders and Snakes" is worthy of critique. It's a really good piece of writing. All the rest [are really bad].

entertaining poetic comedy...set to music...you've got love all of Stafford's work...especially this CD!

Best of Jim Stafford
Good songs! Includes "Spiders And Snakes" and "Swamp Witch".

Jim Stafford improves with time. I heard all of these songs when they first came out and enjoyed them every one. This time I appreciate them like a fine wine. The more subtle nuances in the music are discernable since I already know the words. J.S. has written some great tunes.