Great American Heroes [Import]

Fess Parker | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (December 28, 1999)
• Original Release Date: 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Bear Family
• ASIN: B0000282Q4
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #504,729 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Daniel Boone

2. Little Nathan

3. Jim Bowie

4. Abraham Lincoln (The Tall American)

5. George Washington

6. Patrick Henry (The Patriot)

7. Ballad of Davy Crockett

8. Andrew Jackson (Old Hickory)

9. Ben Franklin

10. Lewis and Clark

11. Johnny Clem

12. Ole Kit Carson

Editorial Reviews

Great American Heroes is a straight reissue of Daniel Boone, Davy Crockett, Abe Lincoln and Other Great American Heroes, a 1964 album by Fess Parker devoted to Johnny Horton-esque historical folk songs about figures from early American history. Low on historical accuracy but loads of fun, all of these songs make their subjects sound like Paul Bunyan. Since Bear Family routinely cross-licenses material for their CDs, it would have been nice if they had added some of Parker's '50s recordings for Columbia (including his hit version of "Ballad of Davy Crockett"). The Great American Heroes album alone is awfully brief in light of the high price tag, but the fidelity and packaging is first-rate. ~ Greg Adams, All Music Guide

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WOW!!!!!!, July 13, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (St Louis, MO) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Great American Heroes (Audio CD)

This is really exceptional! Fess Parker does a great job on this CD. Some of the songs are kind of ridiculous in that they are so factually untrue, but if you're looking for a good rendition of the Ballad of Davy Crockett, you can't possibly do better then this. My favorite songs were Jim Bowie, Abraham Lincoln, George Washington, Davy Crockett and Andrew Jackson. This gives a good overview of American history. Kids like this alot, as well as those of us grown-up-kids!

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome music/songs and sound,hifi freaks will love it., January 17, 2005

By 

S. A. Vikesdal "S.A.Vikesdal." (Vikesaa, Bjerkreim Norway) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Great American Heroes (Audio CD)

In 1982 i bought this on lp.In 1985 i was thinking"Igot to have this on cd".Sure enough Richard Weize read my letter where i requested this on cd.Here it is released in all its glory.Good singing,music is great.Should have 6 stars,one extra for the good sound.All you hifi freaks buy this one,test your hifi eqipment.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Product information..., September 29, 2010

By 

Zub "Zubenelgenubi" (Forks Twp., PA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Great American Heroes (Audio CD)

For those seeking the original recording of Fess Parker's "The Ballad of Davy Crockett" from 1955 on Columbia, be aware that the recording here is NOT that original version. The mid-50's Disney "Frontierland" series spawned the original recording, but Parker's recording wasn't released until after the one by Bill Hayes had already entered the charts. Parker's take of the song was rushed out to compete with Hayes' version but as a runner-up - while it did make the top-5 - it was overshadowed by Hayes' chart-topping rendition. The version of "Ballad..." presented here is the later re-recording that was part of the mid-60's album released on RCA in conjuction with Parker's TV series "Daniel Boone".