Customer Reviews

Charlie McCoy - Greatest Hits [Monument]

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

 

 

This was the first Charlie McCoy record I'd bought. I didn't know that a harmonica could sound as beautiful as it does in the hands of Charlie McCoy. This record contains many of his best and most famous songs, for example Shenandoah and Orange Blossom Special. The last one takes your breath away (especially if you tries to play it). Charlie McCoy has been playing the harmonica for over 30 years and is heard as a backgroundplayer on many records by Elvis, Paul Simon, Kris Kristofferson mm. In my opinion, this record shows that Charlie McCoy is the best countryharpplayer there is. (But he can surely play the blues to -listen to the record "Harpin' The Blues") He has made almost 20 solo records and if you haven't heard him play I could really recommend this record - it's fabulous.

Charlie McCoy has for decades been One of Nashville's best kept secrets. He has been appearing on hit after hit since the early 1960's by nearly every Country superstar imaginable. When you hear a harmonica chances are that it's either Charlie McCoy or somebody who wishes that they were Charlie McCoy.

McCoy began making his own recordings in the late 1960's. First with the band Area Code 615, then as a solo artist. His "Greatest Hits" CD gives us a taste of his immense talent. Charlie spend most of this album showing his sweet side, showcasing the lilting, lyrical tone that has made so many of nashville's greatest sound good. The highlight of this album is his trademark "Orange Blossom Special". Normally a showcase for fiddlers, Charlie handles "Orange Blossom Special" like it was written for the harmonica. In fact, many rising Bluegrass harmonica players use the song to show how well they compare to Charlie.

This is an excellent CD to start your collection of Charlie McCoy recordings.

I will be very happy to give five stars plus for anything Charlie McCoy will play on the harmonica! I have listened to at least ten other harmonica players and non have come close to Charlie McCoy, in my opinion.

Charlie McCoy has for decades been One of Nashville's best kept secrets. He has been appearing on hit after hit since the early 1960's by nearly every Country superstar imaginable. When you hear a harmonica chances are that it's either Charlie McCoy or somebody who wishes that they were Charlie McCoy.

McCoy began making his own recordings in the late 1960's. First with the band Area Code 615, then as a solo artist. His "Greatest Hits" CD gives us a taste of his immense talent. Charlie spend most of this album showing his sweet side, showcasing the lilting, lyrical tone that has made so many of nashville's greatest sound good. The highlight of this album is his trademark "Orange Blossom Special". Normally a showcase for fiddlers, Charlie handles "Orange Blossom Special" like it was written for the harmonica. In fact, many rising Bluegrass harmonica players use the song to show how well they compare to Charlie.

This is an excellent CD to start your collection of Charlie McCoy recordings.

I will be very happy to give five stars plus for anything Charlie McCoy will play on the harmonica! I have listened to at least ten other harmonica players and non have come close to Charlie McCoy, in my opinion.

As someone who is just learning to play the harmonica, I was anxious to acquire a couple of CDs featuring this instrument. I found the album to be dissappointing. The last two tracks on the album are clearly the best. Charlie McCoy's rendition of Shenandoah is hauntingly beautiful and Orange Blossom Special is a virtuoso performance. I wish the rest of the tracks were equally strong. Unfortunately, they are not. First, the harmonica was barely featured in a couple of the tracks. I kept wondering when I was going to hear a harmonica. Second, the orchestrations weren't very impressive. Third, this CD is definitely "old country western" in style. I don't mind country-wetsren per se but I have to admit I can't stand the sound of the sliding steel guitar. It's like listening to fingernails being scraped across a blackboard. Unfortunately, there is a LOT of sliding steel guitar on this CD. Shenandoah and Orange Blossom Special almost make it worth the cost of the CD . . . almost.