Customer Reviews

The Definitive Collection

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

 

 

Tammy's fans know that one (or even two) CD's cannot contain all her country classics, but this compilation is brilliant. It contains all the absolutely essential solo hits, a reasonable selection of her other country hits and a good sample of her recordings with others.

The essential solo tracks are Stand by your man, D-I-V-O-R-C-E, I don't wanna play house and Till I can make it on my own. Among the other solo tracks, my favorites include Take me to your world, Your good girl's gonna go bad, You and me, Woman to woman and Womanhood. These tracks are not always included on Tammy's compilations - indeed, Womanhood didn't even get into the Tears of Fire boxed set of Tammy's music - so it's great to see them all here.

Three duets with George Jones are included. I would have chosen Two story house instead of Near you, but I have no complaints, as anybody who wants all Tammy and George's duets can find them elsewhere. Also included are superb covers of Sometimes when we touch (with Mark Gray), Every breath you take (with Sting, who originally recorded the song as lead singer of Police) and Silver threads and golden needles (with Dolly Parton and Loretta Lynn). Her first duet hit, My elusive dreams (with David Houston) is also here.

The collection ends with Justified and ancient, her huge worldwide hit of the late eighties, which saw her singing with the KLF. Apparently this was number one in 18 countries. It was number two in the UK and also did well in America. This track is substantially different from Tammy's other music, but if you don't like it you can always hit stop when you reach it. With 26 other tracks, nobody can have any cause for complaint.

Among the Tammy classics not included here are Bedtime story, I still believe in fairy tales and Another lonely song, but the tracks here fill the CD. Despite those and other omissions, this is the best single-CD collection of Tammy's music you are ever likely to find. If you only want one CD of Tammy's music, choose this.

Other than a few Wynette genuine classics, and a couple great duets with the peerless Mr. George Jones, this collection is the furthest thing from "definitive" I have ever heard. A version of "Every Breath You Take" with Sting? This sounds as if Tammy recorded her vocal in Nashville and Sting recorded his vocal at his studio in Italy--which was probably the case. I couldn't believe my ears. Absolutely HORRIBLE. And the hip-hop track that ends the disc? Please. This is the most GODAWFUL thing imaginable. If Tammy was selling out to the big green god this badly in her later days, it's no wonder she's no longer with us. Don't waste your money on this monumental piece of drek (like I did)! I think I'll back over it with the car...

I like Tammy Wynette very much... so this is a nice compilation, even if I found a lot of more beautiful songs of Tammy on lastfm!

These 'Definitive' CD's are great! Always have many songs and excellent sound quality.

This one of Tammy Wynette is no exception. All her best known songs and hits are here. Solo hits, but also a few duets with the great George Jones and David Houston. This is truly great country music sung by a Country Queen. Highly recommended.

I bought this for my husband. He is a big fan of Tammy Wynette and was very happy to add this CD to his collection.

I'M NOT REALLY A BIG COUNTRY FAN, BUT I LOVE ME SOME TAMMY! THE DUET WITH STING WAS GREAT - AND QUITE A SURPRISE.

The first song is great. The second song is less great because it is like the first song. The third song... Need I say more. And I like Tammy Wynette, especially when she and George Jones are being repetitious, but, by herself, maybe office music for a Southern divorce lawyer's waiting room.