13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
The BEST of her early years, July 27, 1999
By A Customer
Polygram/Mercury has done wonders in their catalog department. A wonderful lady by the name of Kira Florita did a phenomenal job of reissuing Reba's early work to CD and making a great deal of her early music available to new fans. The titles Ms. Florita re-issued include Reba McEntire (debut CD), Out Of A Dream, and Heart to Heart. She stayed true to the orginal album artwork and researched musicians, session dates, etc... Oklahoma Girl is a compilation of Reba's years at Mercury and was produced by Ms. Florita. It is a stunning example of why Ms. Florita is highly respected in the industry and has received national recognition from the likes of Billboard Magazine. In Oklahoma Girl, we are giving a chronological retrospective of Reba's growth as a singer and an artist. With seven previously un-released tracks, excellent liner notes, and top-rate production, this 2-cd set is a must have for any Reba fan.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Reba's Mercury years, 1976 to 1984, July 31, 2002
I became a huge fan of Reba in 1980, when I heard her third album, Feel the fire. Six of it's tracks are included on this excellent double CD of Reba's early music.
Seven of the tracks here were never released before this compilation. The others are taken from her Mercury albums, including all her big hits of the period. All those albums were released on CD but most appear to be out of print now. The overall feel of the music is traditional country with a (slight) pop flavor, but nowhere near as much of a pop flavor as most of Reba's nineties music.
There are some great covers in this set, including a stunning version of Little Anthony's Tears on my pillow. I've heard many great versions of this song, but Reba's is as good as any of them. Other outstanding covers include Right time of the night (Jennifer Warnes), Suddenly there's a valley (Gogi Grant, Jo Stafford and Petula all had fifties hits with the song, either in Britain, America or both) and Only you and you alone (Platters).
The hits include You lift me up to heaven, I can see forever in your eyes (her first two top ten hits, both from Feel the fire) and Can't even get the blues no more, the first of many number ones for Reba.
My all-time favorite Reba song, included here, is Small two bedroom starter. This is a very moving song about the different occupants of a house, and how unfortunate circumstances forced each of them to sell up and move out.
While the overall strength of Reba's Mercury music may not match her MCA music, it's not far behind and is essential for any true Reba fan. It is also a great addition to any country collection, even if you only like Reba a little.
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5.0 out of 5 stars
Love Old Country Music!, July 26, 2010
This review is from: Oklahoma Girl (Audio CD)
Over all this is a WONDERFUL set. But they did leave off some very good songs. Like: My Turn, If I Had My Way, Long Distance Love, and I'd Say You. But I would still HIGHLY recomend this album to anyone. And In closing this is THE BEST GREATEST HITS album you will ever find from her years at Mercury/PolyGram records.
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