Customer Reviews

Highway 101: Greatest Hits

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I was really disappointed when Paulette split from the boys. They made some brilliant rocking country music which really set the toes tapping. And Paulette had the sexiest voice in country music, so she could sing a tender ballad to melt any man's heart, though there isn't much of that here - this set rocks !!!!

The ten tracks here (all featuring Paulette as lead singer) do not contain all their hits, but it's the only hits package currently around. The quality more than makes up for the lack of quantity. All these songs are original (Cry cry cry is NOT the old Johnny Cash song), but it's interesting that Who's lonely now was co-written by Kix Brooks - this was before he hit big as half of Brooks and Dunn.

Paulette started a family after she left Highway 101, but I don't think that was the real reason she left. I believe the boys may have been jealous of the attention focused on their lead singer. Nikki Nelson, a brilliant but very different singer, replaced Paulette for two albums (Bing bang boom and New frontier) without making the same impact. Paulette came back for a while in the mid nineties (so they obviously resolved any problems there may once have been) but the momentum had been lost. Since then Highway 101 has found another brilliant lead singer, Chrislynn Lee, who can be heard on their Big Sky album.

I still wonder what might have happened if Paulette had stayed with the boys, but there can be little doubt of their importance in the late eighties. They certainly shook up Nashville (but in a nice way) and paved the way for the new generation that took over in the nineties. They were sensational while they lasted in their original line-up, and have continued to make great music since, whether with Nikki, Paulette or Chrislynn.

When Highway 101 burst onto the scene with "The Bed You Made For Me", I was so excited. They had such a fresh sound, but it was also a very traditional sound as well. But, to me, the highlight of the group is Paulette's vocals - I love women vocalists with raspy voices (Steve Nicks, Sam Phillips, Daniele Alexander, etc.,). The Greatest Hits collection contains almost all of their hits and it is very good. The only disappointment I had was the exclusion of the song "All The Reasons Why". There are two new recordings here("Change" and "Someone Else's Trouble Now"), both are excellent and do not distract from the other radio hits. My very favorite song of theirs is "Cry Cry Cry". This group was highly under-rated and deserves your attention. Unfortunately, I don't think this group is together anymore. But, with their traditional country sound blended with modern country and the incredible vocals of Paulette, Highway 101 is going down in my books as one of the best bands to ever grace country music. We miss you!!!!

Highway 101 wasn't around very long (the orignal lineup was together for 4 years), but what an impact they made in the world of counrty music. I really don't consider them a country act, more like a country/rock/pop act. With Paulette Carlson on vocals, Cactus Moser (who I think is often overlooked) on drums, Jack Daniels on guitar, and Curtis Stone on bass, Highway 101 had a unique way of getting a listener's attention. Paulette's husky, Stevie Nicks-like vocals are instantly recognizable and give each song that extra "kick". Catcus' drumming, although simple, fits perfectly with what the band was trying to accomplish musically-nothing fancy, but straight to the point and something you can tap your foot to. Jack Daniels is a really good guitarist who is often overshadowed by Paulette's vocals, but he could harmonize with the best. Curtis Stone not only provided nice bass lines, he also could play a mean mandolin. Another aspect of Highway 101's music is the harmonies provided by Cactus, Jack, and Curtis. Just listen to "Somewhere Tonight" or "Who's Lonely Now?" if you want to hear what I'm talking about.
As far as this album, it has most of the band's best songs from the original lineup era, with the highlights being "The Bed You Made For Me"(co-written by Carlson), the classic "Whiskey, If You Were A Woman", and my personal favorite "Cry, Cry, Cry". If you aren't familiar with Highway 101, this is a perfect starter album to get a feel of what they were all about.
Shortly after this album was released, Paulette Carlson left the band for a solo career. The band did continue with the beautiful Nikki Nelson, who was a good singer in her own right, but it just wasn't the same w/o Carlson. However, the band did achieve success with the 1991 album "Big Bang Boom", with the title track being one of my favorite Highway 101 songs. The band followed up "Big Bang Boom" with the 1993 album "The New Frontier" with no success. By this time, Jack Daniels departed and the band seemed to be on its last legs. In 1996, Carlson reunited with Daniels and Stone (Moser was not a part of the reunion) for 2 albums, Reuntied and Latest and Greatest, with no success either. Carlson and Daniels left Highway 101 again shortly after L&G, only to have Stone and Moser reform Highway 101 with vocalist Chrislynn Lee and guitarist Charlie White to record the album "BIg Sky" in 1999. The album didn't fare well, and in 2002 White left the band to be replaced by Justin Weaver. The band has plans to record a new album, and I for one would love to see that happen. If the original lineup got back together, that would be even better...

I'm not a big country western fan, but this a great CD. Anyone could just about enjoy this CD. Good Vocals and A Great Beat. The quality of this CD is very good! The clarity of instruments and vocals is darned nice. I will definetly slip this one in with my smooth jazz and rock CDs.

This was a super band, especially with Paulette Ferguson. Every song on this album is excellent, wry in that ol' 101 way, with knocked-out guitar, drums and harmonies. My favorite cut turned out to be the very last one, "The Change," which I had never heard before. Glad I can buy this again, because I lent it out and never got it back!

great collection of songs but they left out 3 top ten hits that would have really made this an ultimate collection

I ordered Hwy 101 greatest hits and the invoice had greatest hits on it also but I didn't get the correct CD. The shipper was contacted and he acknowledged the error credited paymentt back to me.

Highway 101 was a very talented band which was fronted by one of the most beautiful voices in any genre. Outstanding.

The CD itself was fine and of course I love the music. However, the plastic jacket was smashed to the point that it is not usable. The other two CDs in the same package were fine.

Paulette Carlson gave this group a very unique sound with her beautiful, quavery voice, and that is meant in a good way! I love the album and listen to it often.