Customer Reviews

Essential

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4 star:		(3)
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It is difficult to categorise Earl's musical style. Some of his songs sound more traditional than others, but they are all of a remarkably high quality. Earl sings mostly love ballads, sometimes sad and sometimes philosophical. He never seems to get really excited, so you won't find any up-tempo rockers here. He wrote most of his own songs and I wonder if he found true happiness in love because his songs seem to suggest not.

Earl smoked heavily, which gave his voice a distinctive quality but ultimately took its toll and he had to quit the music business for a while. Before doing so, had about thirty hits on the country chart, of which twenty are to be found here. Seventeen of these tracks were number one hits, the exceptions being Heavenly bodies, I have loved you girl but not like this before and the duet with Keith Whitley, Brotherly love. The only missing number one hit is We believe in happy endings, a duet with Emmylou Harris.

This is a wonderful collection of Earl's music. I hope to see another compilation featuring the hits that didn't make it here, but with all those number one hits on it, this will remain just what the title says - the essential Earl Thomas Conley.

When I think back to the eighties in country music, the only male vocalist that comes to mind as being the best 'artist' is Earl Thomas Conley. I was new to country music when I bought my first ETC tape back in the 80's and I've been a huge fan of his ever since. This guy is so unique; whether describing his vocals or describing his first-rate song writing. He should be given some kind of honorary award for his most important and significant contributions to country music. While I was disappointed that this collection didn't include "Too Many Times", a duet with Anita Poynter, it is a fantastic selection of material from one of the best artists that country music has ever seen.

Earl Thomas Conley has to rank in my top 3 favorite C/W artists of all time. This cd is hardly ever taken out of the player in my vehicle. Every song on this CD is a hit that you can listen to over and over. I have had the pleasure of playing golf with Earl a couple of times over the past two years and this man is as common as the cold. You would never know he was a superstar. I have a feeling that the info in the last review may be a little off, the part about Earl never returning to the country music spotlight. Stick around, trust me, Earl has not lost his singing voice and he will be back, soon. Earl is the man.

Earl Thomas Conley stood out among all the Urban Cowboy drivel of the early 80's. While his big hits lacked the traditional "Nashville Twang", his remarkable voice and superb song selection (many of which he wrote himself) pushed him far beyond the product of the day. This is a great collection for the fans who have worn out their LP copies and a great place for newcomers to discover this terrific talent. I just wish this CD included "Too Many Times", his poignant duet with Anita Pointer and his marvelous rendition of the John Hiatt song "Bring Back Your Lovin' to Me".

You know, when you're growing up there's an artist or even a few songs that you hear, and you don't really think of them much. Then fast forward a few years, you hear the songs again, and you suddenly wonder why you didn't pay closer attention to them before. To me, Earl Thomas Conley was one of those artists. I became a big fan of his about six years ago, back in my days of working in radio. I heard songs like "Angel In Disguise", "Love Out Loud", and "Honor Bound", and I was hooked. I searched around for this collection in my local area about a year ago, and finally found one copy of this disc in a record story that way overcharges for their merchandise. However, I finally justified the cost by not being able to wait any longer searching elsewhere.

Even though I did not grow up during the days when ETC, John Conlee, and the older school generation was in its prime, those songs bring back many memories of mine. This collection of greatest hits by one artist is ALMOST as good as it gets. The only thing holding it back from being as good as it gets is the fact that "Silent Treatment", and "Shadow of a Doubt", are not here. Nonetheless, it's a great summary of ETC's career. You won't be disappointed.

I live about 5 to 10 miles from where Earl Thomas Conley was born and raised and he is a great artist. He had many hits in the 80s and early 90s but he is forgotten now. Some other reviewers said Earl has lost his voice,but, that is not true. In fact, he has a new album out this year consisting of mostly re-records from his own catalog caled 'Should've Been Over By Now'. He also has a yearly concert in Portsmouth (where he was born) and all money from ticket prices and such go into the Earl Thomas Conley Scholarship Fund, which helps kids here in Scioto County and Greenup County in Kentucky. Buy this album and here an underated legend.

I JUST HAD THE PLEASURE OF SEEING ETC IN CONCERT AND ACTUALLY GOT TO GET ON THE BUS AND SIT DOWN AND TALK WITH HIM !!! THIS IS THE NICEST PERSON YOU WOULD EVER WANT TO MEET AND I AM SO PROUD THAT I WAS ABLE TO MEET HIM AS IT WAS A LONG TIME DREAM. AT THE CONCERT HE WAS AMAZING AND THE VOICE WAS SUPERB, HE SHOULD KNOW FANS WILL WELCOME HIM BACK ANY TIME !!!! ( CONCERT WAS JUNE 13TH 2008 )

Over the past thirty years there has been many excellent Country artists that made their debut for a short while then just disappeared. Unfortunately this is another example. I first saw E.T.C. as a warm up band for "Charlie Pride" in the 70's and I was blown away. This guy has such stage presence that he can capture the audience in a silent hypnosis. Earl's voice makes you "feel" every number in your soul. "Heavenly Bodies" and "Fire and Smoke" are my faves on this track. They are all very good listening. This is a "must buy" for anyone who has had the pleasure of listening to the pure Country sounds of E.T.C.

ETC is one of the best country music artists of the 80's and all of his big hits can be found on the Essential Earl Thomas Conley cd. This is perfect for the collector who wants to replace their old albums with cds or for the collector of 80's country music. Every song on here is outstanding and sure to bring back lots of memories as it did for me. I never tire of listening to this album because it is outstanding, pure country music. Definately a great investment.

ETC always struck me as one of the better male country artists in the years just before Garth screwed up everything. This CD cannot honestly be called "Essential"...it lacks the exceptional song "Too Many Times", which I believe went to #3. My cassette tape of the "Too Many Times" album wore out long ago. Where is the CD reissue? It is long overdue.