Customer Reviews

Bobby Goldsboro - Greatest Hits [Curb]

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

 

 

I got tricked into thinking this was the newest, remastered, and most comprehensive Goldsboro anthology there is. Instead I got newly recorded fake versions of the original. Saddest is Goldsboro being an active participant in the project, and he didn't bother to make it more respectable (it even comes without a booklet!) What I don't get the most is they've used real strings and drums, and Goldsboro's vocal was fine, but it was utterly spoiled by cheesy synth embellishments. Get the Honey compilation, or better still, the Honey/Summer two-for-one remastered CD from the UK...don't get this substitute.

FYI--these are not the original hit recordings, but newly recorded by BG. Liner notes state: "All tracks were digitally mastered and RECORDED at the Soundshop Studios, Nashville, Tennessee, February 1999." Look for another collection if you are looking for his original hit versions.

This is a collection of 21 hits performed (and most of them written) by Bobby Goldsboro. They aren't the original hit versions, but most changes are subtle and a refreshing change to the originals commonly found on CDs. Compared to early recordings, Bobby's voice sounds more refined on this CD. A favorite remake of this reviewer is "Broomstick Cowboy". The remake sounds cleaner than the original with a better piano arrangement. On the other hand, the original arrangement of "Little Green Apples" is preferred. Fans will find something they like on this CD. For this fan, the "Collections" CD sits right next to the "Classic" CD (Honey: The Best Of Bobby Goldsboro). The "Collections" CD gets listened to more often.

Okay...not only are these versions very noticably different from the originals, but nowhere are you able to tell that these are rerecordings until after you open the package. This is a disgusting practice! Is it any wonder that many artists/labels feel an "us against them" feeling with the buying public?

The first three reviews listed here do not apply to this CD. I found these exact same reviews listed for an entirely different "greatest hits" BG CD. Be assured that this particular CD includes the ORIGINAL songs that we all know and love. Given that these are indeed the original songs with their lush original arrangements, the sound quality is quite good and because they were not remastered, the songs will sound just like you remember them but better. The ONLY problem I have with this CD is the absence of "I'm a Drifter", one of Bobby's best songs. Now I should warn you that the other "Curb" offerings (Best of Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 for $5.98 each) are re-recorded fakes and I don't recommend them. But be assured the "Curb" product above entitled "All-Time Greatest Hits" is indeed the original stuff and it sounds good too. I would have rated it 5 stars had it included "I'm a Drifter".

I do agree with the reviewers who felt that they were mislead by this CD. There are too many "re-recordings" of classic music out there, and we as consumers deserve to know up front (as in CLEARLY STATED on the outside package) if that is what we are getting (I waited forever for Capitol to put out a "best of" Merle Haggard collection without putting re-recordings on it). We fans want the ORIGINAL recordings for our collections. Now having said that, this collection is really not so bad. Bobby's voice has held up well over the years, and the arrangements of the songs that I have heard are reasonably close to the originals. For my own enjoyment I will stick with my "Best of Bobby Goldsboro" issued on the "Collectibles" label (original recordings, excellent booklet, highly recommended), but these re-recordings are really not as bad as some would say.

I don't agree with the reviewers that say these aren't original recordings. I have this album on cassette and it's great. I've been listening too many of the Bobby G. cd's offered here and I have yet too hear a bad recording on any of them. I always listen to song samples before I buy any Cd on Amazon.I do wish song samples were offerd for all the Cd albums.I hope this helps you pick out the right Cd for you.