Customer Reviews

Classics

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

In a period when the "Urban Cowboy" crap was hitting the scene, and the dead Nashville Sound was replaced with infusions of Disco sounds, there were few bright spots in country music. True Honky Tonk music was all but dead, and noone knew what direction country music was heading or if it would even survive; luckily this would change with the intro of the neo-traditionalists in the mid-'80's. But in the meantime, we had John Conlee. His music could have very well been recorded for a Pop-oriented audience, or it could have been recorded differently for the adult-contemporary crowd. However, what made his music absolutely, no-bull, country, was his voice....no matter what song he sang, his voice had the sound of a man who was well on his way to a good bourbon drunk. Just as Willie had a signature nasal sound, Faron had his signature pause, and Bill Anderson had that sappy whisper, John Conlee had that whiskey soaked voice. But, just by looking at the man, you would never know it; once he opened his mouth and the first note came out, it was a whole different story. This album has a superb collection of songs that are sadly, almost forgotten. Included are the famous: "Rose Colored Glasses" and Backside of Thirty", but also, there are some lighter songs, such as "From Your Knees", "Miss Emily's Picture", and "I Dont Remember Loving You". Best of all, these are original recordings, not remakes by an aging star. It's too bad John gained prominence in an era when Country Music was at it's lowest, as it will probably eclipse his remarkable talent. Buy the album, you will definately enjoy it.

Although the album art shows an older edition of the artist himself, these tracks are actually the original radio hits -- nineteen Top 20 hits recorded for the RCA label between 1978-85, presented in chronological order, with three additional new tunes thrown in for good measure. Conlee's classic work has been inexplicably out of print for quite some time; finally it took a vanity pressing on his own label to make the stuff available to his fans, another sad statement for the state of Nashville's ongoing profits-over-posterity ethic. Anyway, it's all great stuff, a slick, latter-day countrypolitan sound fronted by a phenomenally expressive voice... It's a shame Conlee couldn't also lease his later material for the Columbia and 16th Avenue labels, which also included several sizable hits, but with tunes like "Rose Colored Glasses," "Backside Of Thirty" and "Busted" back in print, there's still plenty for country fans to cheer about.

This an great collection of the best from John Conlee. For anyone who loves classic country, this is a must have cd. This cd has all the great songs like Rose Colored Glasses, Backside of Thirty, and Old School. It also has unbelievable hits like Friday Night Blues, Miss Emily's Picture, and In My Eyes. About the only song missing from this collection is Working Man. All songs are the digitally remastered versions of the original recordings. Buy this cd and I promise you won't be dissapointed.

John Conlee had a fair measure of success on the country charts but is largely forgotten now. Despite the high quality of his hits, he never became a really big star. This collection covers his most important period from 1978 to 1985, though he had hits after that. John had a classic country voice that is particularly suited to sad songs.

Rose colored glasses, his debut single, made the country top five. His next two singles (Lady lay down, Backside of thirty) were both country number ones. He then had several hits that didn't make the very top, of which Before my time, Friday night blues, She can't say that anymore and Miss Emily's picture all made number two on the country charts. John then had three more number ones with Common man, I'm only in it for the love and In my eyes. One last number one (Got my heart set on you, from 1986) is outside the scope of this compilation. Of the other tracks here, I particularly like Baby you're something, and Busted.

If you enjoy traditional country by such singers as Merle Haggard and John Anderson, give John Conlee a listen.

Classics indeed! This album is full of so many great songs, it's nearly impossible for me to pick out a favorite or choose a place to start. "Friday Night Blues," "Miss Emily's Picture," "Old School," "She can't say that anymore," "Blue Highway," and of course "Rose Colored Glasses" are all included on this brilliant album that showcases John Conlee's voice well. I used to listen to these songs as a kid and was glad that he chose to release this album. All the songs on it were well chosen, and I recommend it to anyone.

Ordered this for my sweetheart because Rose Colored Glasses is one of his all-time favorite songs. I didn't realize John Conlee sang so many of the country songs that were popular in the 80's (I heard 'em because I was actually a country fan back then). This collection includes the best of the best. I wonder if we requested his songs on the radio if there would be a John Conlee resurgence! He's a little "old school", but he can swing from sad and soulful to humorous and uplifting in a heartbeat. You can't go wrong with this collection...worth every tiny penny!

John Conlee has been one of country music's most consistent hit makers,
since his discovery in 1978.
The song that opened the door, and changed him from a D.J. spinning platters,
to an artist making them was "Rose colored glasses".

This is a very good compilation of hits, ninteen of his best are here!
This is indeed the re-release of John Conlee's original recordings.
The cover picture shows him a little bit older,
but here is the exact sound and vocal expressions as his original 1987 M.C.A.
"20 Greatest hits" c.d.

This c.d. is released by Rcr in 2003.
This 22 track c.d. has 18 of the same 20 hits that are on the "20 greatest hits" c.d.

The two songs left OFF of this set, that are on the aforesaid c.d. are:
1. "Nothing behind you, and nothing in sight" top 40 in 1982.
2. "Workihg man" top 10 in 1985.
One hit song that IS here, but not on the aforesaid c.d. is:
"Baby, you're something" top 10 in 1979.
The last three songs on this c.d. were not hits.

Both c.d.s start with his first hit "Rose colored glasses" in 1978,
and end with, as far as the hits are concerned, his 22nd hit "Old school" from 1985.
"Could you love me (one more time)" top 40 in 1981, is not on either one of these collections.

It is wonderful that Amazon has the track listing and sound bites for this c.d. here.
I find it difficut at times to decipher some of Conlee's other album track listings,
the way Amazon has bunched them together.
Which is why I made a comparison of the two c.d.'s here.

This "Classic's" collection contains some examples of why Conlee achieved stardom,
and why he continues to hold a place in country music fans hearts.

Footnote: Conlee had 32 songs chart form 1978 to 1990.
The years of hits covered here are 1978 to 1985.
Conlee had ten more songs chart from 1986 to 1990.
Those 10 are listed in the comments of the "20 greatest hits" c.d.
by majormusiclover.

This is a phenomenal cd by a star long since forgotten by country radio. If you like real American country music you have to own this cd. It's filled with hits from 1978's Rose Colored Glasses to 1985's Old School. Also included are three new tracks with John in great voice. My copy of this 2003 release contains 1981's Could You Love Me (One More Time) hidden in track 9 (Miss Emily's Picture) at 3:33. So you actually get 23 original John Conlee songs in great remastered form. In short this is great country music with a great American voice with lots of songs geared toward the Common Man! This Classics collection along with 1986's Songs For The Working Man on cd make Greatest Hits 1, Greatest Hits 2 and 20 Greatest Hits completely obsolete. Track down his excellent Columbia cds 1986's Harmony and 1987's American Faces for a complete John Conlee collection.

IF YOU LIKE AND REMEMBER WHEN THEY USED TO PLAY COUNTRY MUSIC ON THE RADIO WELL THEN THIS ALBUM IS FOR YOU . JOHN CONLEE HAS THAT DISTINCT VOICE THAT AS SOON AS YOU HEAR IT YOU KNOW WHO IT IS . I LISTEN TO THIS CD ALL THE TIME AND WOULD RECOMEND IT TO ANYBODY WHO LIKES OL' SCHOOL COUNTRY.

All of the songs on this CD are great - familiars from a classic country singer. There is not one bad song on the entire CD as far as I'm concerned and enjoy this a great deal!