Customer Reviews

Gold

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The Statler Brothers racked up fifty-nine country hits between 1965 and 1989. Forty-two of those have been collected for this warmly remastered set that clearly displays the Staunton, Virginia quartet's humor, pet themes, and tent-revival dramatic gifts.

The original line-up - baritone Phillip Balsley, tenor Lew DeWitt, bass singer Harold Reid, and his brother, lead vocalist Don Reid - brought innovative shades of Southern gospel to secular country music. Further, the 1965 Columbia smash ("Flowers on the Wall") established their trademark ability to mask personal desperation with rueful offhand humor.

Teamed with producer/guitar ace Jerry Kennedy at Mercury Records in 1970, the Statler's created their finest work. The best tunes were written by the Reid brothers, whose creative method was remarkably simple. They transformed lists of nostalgic observations ("Do You Remember These?"), romantic declarations ("Nothing As Original As You," "Thank God I've Got You"), and lost loves ("The Official Historian on Shirley Jean Berrell") into compassionate two and three minute playlets. Indeed, their true masterpiece ("Class of `57") masterfully incorporates poignant wit with human tragedy.

When Jimmy Fortune replaced the ailing DeWitt in 1983, he contributed fresh, irony-free material, penning tender romantic odes ("Elizabeth," "My Only Love") that resulted in the group's highest charting hits ("Too Much on My Heart"). Even on these Adult Contemporary-style offerings, the group pleads with down-home gospel conviction and palpable emotion.

This compilation is not as thorough as Mercury's 1994 three-disc set. Subsequently, some early favorites ("Whatever Happened to Randolph Scott")were dropped in favor of comparatively mediocre cover tunes ("Hello Mary Lou," "Only You"). In addition, there are no samples of the band's comedic alter-ego Lester "Roadhog" Moran & the Cadillac Cowboys. Yet, most will deem this two-disc version a satisfying first step into the Statler's enduringly entertaining catalog.

This CD doesn't have one song that shouldn't be there. It is the ideal collection of songs over the career of the Statler Brothers. We have played the CD almost every day since receiving it and still enjoy every minute. This is a great buy for the money and is heartly recommended

42 songs here! This 2-CD Set is a compilation of ORIGINAL Statler Brothers recordings. Noone sang a song like the Statlers, and this Set covers all of the finest songs that they released. Included here are, "Flowers on the Wall", "Do You Know", and "Elizabeth". When I purchased this album, I knew well over 1/2 of the songs, by title alone. But, after listening to both discs, I was pleasantly surprised to realize that I've heard each and every song played regularly on Country Music Radio (back when Country Music was actually played on the radio). Hard to believe that there were that many songs made popular by these guys. Not only is the sound and remastering superb, but a fine set of liner notes is included, providing a detailed history of the quartet. Amazing low price for a tremendous album. A+

I purchased this CD for song number 18 on Disc 1, Nothing As Original As You. This is the only Statler Brothers CD that contains this song. It's a song about visiting Washington, D.C. The song, of course, is well done as are the others. However, how can a two disc CD set of the Statler Brothers that contains 42 songs be complete and not include Whatever Happened to Randolph Scott? I would think that when you include that many songs in their CD set that somewhere in those 42 would be one of their most popular songs. It is an obvious glaring omission.

The Statler Brothers are right there on top as one of the best harmony groups. Their Gold CD favorite songs collection is something I won't part from. I love their song, "I'll Go To My Grave" and they are the best entertainers of country music and this group will continue to be well liked and listened to for years and years.

If you are a Statler Brother fan, you can't go wrong with this 2 CD collection of their best. I'm not a country western fan, but I do remember when "Flowers on the Wall" crossed over and became a hit and I am old enough to "Remember When". A fun collection in the terrific delivery of a great vocal group.

This is a great compilation of the greatest songs of a great group. Songs from both the Lew DeWitt and Jimmy Fortune era are here, and you will love each and every one of them. This is one of the best two-disc sets out there. Any Statler Brothers fan will love this. "My Only Love," "Don't wait on Me," "Count on Me," and "Atlanta Blue" are some of the many great hits on this album. Get it!

This is the BEST Collection of the Statlers there is. They came close to making this a half Lew half Jimmy Collection. The first CD is all Lew and the first 4 on CD 2 is of Lew. The rest of the CD is of Jimmy. Making a total of 25 songs with Lew and 17 with Jimmy. The Statler Brothers is one of the best country group there is.

This is a wonderful album with all of the great music of the Statler Brothers. A real uplifting collection of songs guaranteed to make you feel good and improve your mood.

There's a lot of really good songs on here, but a few turkeys in the mix, too. That's a matter of taste, so you decide which is which; it's not like you don't know what you're getting. Add the Best Of disc to fill in the gaps and you can make an acceptable collection. For the most part these songs have aged very well, this isn't a disc you'll put away after listening once.

The recording is very bright, like "ouch, my ears" bright, like the very first CD's were before the engineers realized they didn't have to boost the highs so much. Which, given the Statlers' audience isn't necessarily a bad thing.

Overall, worth the price.