Essential Marty Robbins 1951-1982

Marty Robbins | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 22, 1991)
• Original Release Date: October 29, 1991
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B000002826
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #72,680 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An extremely versatile performer, October 2, 2003

By 

Peter Durward Harris "Pete the music fan" (Leicester England) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Essential Marty Robbins 1951-1982 (Audio CD)

Marty Robbins was a major country singer over three decades, beginning his recording career and establishing himself quickly. He maintained a high level of consistent success throughout the fifties and sixties and also had some notable successes in the seventies. This set covers his entire recording career. Originally released in America in a long box format with two separate CD jewel boxes and a large booklet inside, it was released in Europe in a two-door jewel case and later in a slimline double-CD case. I imported the original boxed set many years ago. I don't know which packaging is current in America, but the music remains the same.

Marty's early recordings often became successful in both the country and pop charts in America. He only had limited success in the UK pop charts but he was the first to record Singing the blues, Knee deep in the blues and Story of my life, all of which became massive UK hits for other singers. On this set, you can hear further evidence of his ability to rock'n'roll via That's all right, Maybelline and A white sport coat and a pink carnation.

I love Marty's rock'n'roll music but he was even better singing western songs. His biggest success came with El Paso, one of the best western songs ever recorded. This collection also features a couple of sequels - Feleena from El Paso and El Paso city. Plenty of other examples of Marty's western songs are included here, though if you are really keen there are plenty of compilations devoted exclusively to Marty's western music including a Bear family boxed set including all of them.

Marty was also capable of doing excellent versions of pop standards, as shown here by his versions of September in the rain, All the way and Unchained melody. He also recorded Hawaiian music and that is also represented here. Listen to his interpretations of Beyond the reef and Hawaiian wedding song. Marty also did his share of conventional country songs, including Devil woman, Ruby Ann, Tonight Carmen, You gave me a mountain and My woman my woman my wife.

This set (in whatever packaging) shows that Marty was a man of many talents, able to sing any type of song. If you only want one Marty Robbins collection, this is the one to go far, but be warned - you may end up buying more of his music to explore some aspects of his career in greater depth.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Best of The Best Singing Cowboy in Country Music History, May 28, 2001

By 

Astrid Slomova (Louisiana) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Essential Marty Robbins 1951-1982 (Audio CD)

It can hardly be questioned that the music contained in this collection is among the finest country (and western) music ever recorded. And the voice delivering them is one of rare depth and purity.

So, why only four stars?

It is not the fault of Marty Robbins' songwriting or performing, nor is the track selection to blame. It has to do with the sound. I own a first edition Columbia "6-eye" stereo copy of GUNFIGHTER BALLADS AND TRAIL SONGS. I recently pulled it out and gave it a listen with the headphones. The stereo mixes are very nice indeed, with a depth and presence missing in some recordings from years later. Yet on this collection, "Big Iron" and "El Paso", two of Marty's better-known western songs and both originally from that album, are presented in mono and a bit muffled. It can't be that the stereo masters from those sessions were missing, for "Cool Water" (from the same album) is heard in all its two-channel glory.

This is truly a great collection and I do recommend it highly. It is just a pity that the time to locate the best possible masters of each song was not taken prior to the release of this anthology. The music certainly deserves the attention.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent sound, October 18, 2004

By 

Richard (New Jersey) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Essential Marty Robbins 1951-1982 (Audio CD)

The sound reproduction is excellent. This a very good collection of his songs, but the reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 is that "Streets of Laredo" is conspicuously omitted. Considering that there are 2 discs with a total of 50 songs, I don't know why this song wasn't included.