Customer Reviews

Playin to Win / Ghost Riders

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

 

 

I've been an Outlaws fan and supporter since I first saw them in concert back in 1975. As most of you know, the "Ghost Riders" CD has been out of print for quite a few years and "Playin' To Win' has never offically been released on CD. The excitement of having "Playin To Win" on CD quickly vanished upon listening to it. Outlaw fans beware, this CD (at least the "Playin' To Win" tracks) are not from the original master tapes. If you listen carefully, you can tell an album was used as the source. Soyou have a remastered version from an LP. Talk about feeling ripped-off.

I agree with the other review, the vocals are distorted, especially when the letter "S" is involved in any phrase. If you do not own a copy of the album "Playin to Win" or the Ghost Riders CD, then go for it. If you already own Playin' To Win on LP,and Ghost Riders on CD, save your money.

This by no means reflects the performance of this great southern rock group as "Playin' to Win" is one of better Outlaws albums. My title pertains to the so called "remastered" version. 95% of the time remastered CD's sound great but this really isn't one of them. The overall mix is very bright and the vocals at times become a bit much. This is especially evident during "Cry some more" and "You can take it". Low end bass is somewhat lacking throughout. Also, the first song on the album (Take it anyway you want it), is suppose to lead right into "Cry some more". For some reason, there is a 3 second gap between the two and the first second or two of "cry some more" are cut out.
I waited a long time for this to finally come out on CD, but I think I'm going to refer back to the "vinyl" copy until someone else re-releases this again with a better product.

I am so happy someone finally put these two albums out.
Playin To Win & Ghost Riders on one cd, sounds to good but it's true, there here. Playin To Win was the Outlaws first studio album since the departure of Henry Paul, How do you fill such a vast gap like that? Producer Mutt Lange & guitarist Freddie Salem. They both helped the Outlaws by giving them a harder rock sound and a broader audiance. I loved the Outlaws first 3 albums the most but times were changing and the Outlaws felt they should move on. Freddie Salem is a very underated guitarist, his howling Les Paul tones and songs are still very fresh. Huggie, Billy & Freddie were the Florida Guitar Army!!! I miss them!
I wish I could go back in time and live it all again. Playin To Win & Ghost Riders are 2 Awesome hard rockin Southern rock albums that were not completly understood by there fans, if you accepted there change in sound, first 3 albums ( amazing, very southern, at times country & bluegrass). After Henry Paul left, Feddie Salem took his place and the Outlaws put out ( a live album-Bring It Back Alive- and the 2 studios Payin T, W
and Ghost Riders, A much harder southern rock sound, different, but I still love it! Alot of great memories with the Outlaws and now I get to re-live them again.

these cd`s are very good. a true outlaws fan will love the fact that they can be bought again. i personally think they sound great and anyone who loves the outlaws will enjoy having these cd`s in there collection. again, these cd`s are great and i recommend anyone who misses the great music of the outlaws to buy it.

On the contrary to the other reviews on this cd, yes it is Remastered BUT my cd that i recieved of this was in crystal clear digital audio and sounded great, after reading the other reviews i expected to recieve a crappy cd , so i am happy to report that it is a great cd with great sound, it's really good to hear these 2 albums all cleaned up in digital format.

Good southern rock and roll but not close to the original band's studio recordings: Outlaws, Lady in Waiting and Hurry Sundown. When Henry Paul left to go out on his own the quality and originality went with him. The performance of the song Ghost Riders in the Sky is very good but the rest of the album loses steam.

This two-fer shows the Outlaws continuing their winning streak. "Take It Any Way You Want It" is a great song about resisting pressure to be like everybody else, "You Are The Show" and "Ghost Riders In The Sky" are great guitar showcases, and "White Horses" evoke the days of the Old West. Even though some have described the sound quality as being a bit off, it's still worth five stars because the band is expanding their sound by changing producers and adding Michael Duke of Wet Willie on keyboards.

This review will relate to "Playin' To Win" only. One of my top 10 albums of all time. This disc, without a doubt, is The Outlaws best release to date. Their vocal harmonies and dual lead guitar licks are the best in the business. All tracks are solid. "Southern Rock" at its finest. I wish I could say the same about "Ghost Riders". Somewhat disappointed this was included in the package. However, this disc accompanies me wherever I go. Finally able to acquire in a
digitally remastered format.

This is a good compilation of two classic Outlaws albums. Included in this collection are "Ghost Riders in the Sky", "Take it any way you want it", "You are the show" (a big hit at concerts), "If dreams come true", and "I can't stop loving you".

The Outlaws started out the gate with a great self-entitled album, and these two carried on that tradition.

With Playin' To Win, the Outlaws' winning streak came to a grinding halt. Compared to the first thee albums, the material is unremarkable and the arrangements bland. There's simply nothing to distinguish this album, other than "Falling Rain", with vocals that sound uncannily like Ronnie Van Zant.

Unfortunately, the CD sound quality renders a poor album virtually unlistenable. As someone else has already noted, every "s" sound is overly-sibilant.