Customer Reviews

The Essential Marty Robbins 1951-1982

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Marty Robbins was a major country singer over three decades, beginning his recording career and establishing himself quickly. He maintained a high level of consistent success throughout the fifties and sixties and also had some notable successes in the seventies. This set covers his entire recording career. Originally released in America in a long box format with two separate CD jewel boxes and a large booklet inside, it was released in Europe in a two-door jewel case and later in a slimline double-CD case. I imported the original boxed set many years ago. I don't know which packaging is current in America, but the music remains the same.

Marty's early recordings often became successful in both the country and pop charts in America. He only had limited success in the UK pop charts but he was the first to record Singing the blues, Knee deep in the blues and Story of my life, all of which became massive UK hits for other singers. On this set, you can hear further evidence of his ability to rock'n'roll via That's all right, Maybelline and A white sport coat and a pink carnation.

I love Marty's rock'n'roll music but he was even better singing western songs. His biggest success came with El Paso, one of the best western songs ever recorded. This collection also features a couple of sequels - Feleena from El Paso and El Paso city. Plenty of other examples of Marty's western songs are included here, though if you are really keen there are plenty of compilations devoted exclusively to Marty's western music including a Bear family boxed set including all of them.

Marty was also capable of doing excellent versions of pop standards, as shown here by his versions of September in the rain, All the way and Unchained melody. He also recorded Hawaiian music and that is also represented here. Listen to his interpretations of Beyond the reef and Hawaiian wedding song. Marty also did his share of conventional country songs, including Devil woman, Ruby Ann, Tonight Carmen, You gave me a mountain and My woman my woman my wife.

This set (in whatever packaging) shows that Marty was a man of many talents, able to sing any type of song. If you only want one Marty Robbins collection, this is the one to go far, but be warned - you may end up buying more of his music to explore some aspects of his career in greater depth.

It can hardly be questioned that the music contained in this collection is among the finest country (and western) music ever recorded. And the voice delivering them is one of rare depth and purity.

So, why only four stars?

It is not the fault of Marty Robbins' songwriting or performing, nor is the track selection to blame. It has to do with the sound. I own a first edition Columbia "6-eye" stereo copy of GUNFIGHTER BALLADS AND TRAIL SONGS. I recently pulled it out and gave it a listen with the headphones. The stereo mixes are very nice indeed, with a depth and presence missing in some recordings from years later. Yet on this collection, "Big Iron" and "El Paso", two of Marty's better-known western songs and both originally from that album, are presented in mono and a bit muffled. It can't be that the stereo masters from those sessions were missing, for "Cool Water" (from the same album) is heard in all its two-channel glory.

This is truly a great collection and I do recommend it highly. It is just a pity that the time to locate the best possible masters of each song was not taken prior to the release of this anthology. The music certainly deserves the attention.

The sound reproduction is excellent. This a very good collection of his songs, but the reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 is that "Streets of Laredo" is conspicuously omitted. Considering that there are 2 discs with a total of 50 songs, I don't know why this song wasn't included.

What did Elvis, Jim Reeves, Frankie Laine, Faron Young, Merle Haggard and Gene Autry all have in common? They were all fans of Marty Robbins; probably the greatest singer ever to grace Country Music. Robbins could have taken off his stetson, stepped out of his spurs and left the Country trail to be a Pop singer as his great voice effortlessly embraced songs such as 'That old Feeling', 'As time goes by', 'You made me love you', 'September in the Rain', 'Summertime', 'It had to be you' with versions that were better than many of the Pop balladeers of his time. The man was such an immense talent that most of his hits were his own compositions and not only could he sing any genre of music he could also write them as well. Soul is a much misused word in Music but Robbins had it in abundance and you believe it when Marty sings weepers like 'Begging to you', 'I walk alone', 'Don't Worry' and the vocal gymnastics he displays on 'Tonight Carmen', 'You gave me a mountain' and 'My woman, My woman, My wife' are a joy to the ear. His versatility is astonishing (probably only Elvis and Bobby Darin) can rival his talent for singing such a wide variety of songs. This box set is a stunner; Great versions of the oldies like 'Yours', 'Beyond the Reef', 'Ghost Riders in the Sky', plus a plethora of Robbins hits abound on this album.I am just disappointed there haven't been further volumes as there is enough in Columbia's vaults to justify follow ups of this truly once in a lifetime talent.

The other reviewers have it pretty well-covered: this CD best covers the career of the Glendale, Arizona, native. Some of the early tunes are representative of songs that some people can point to as "hick" music. Marty didn't begin to hit his stride until the mid-50s with songs like "The Story of My Life" and "A White Sport Coat and a Pink Carnation", the latter of which he wrote himself in just a few minutes. His "Don't Worry ('Bout Me)" was a unique crossover in that it employed the so-called "honky tonk" country sound with a malfunctioning piece of studio equipment that sounded like s "bass sax". (They left the sound in to great effect). His gunfighter albums were big sellers and, besides the classic "El Paso", included "Song of the Bandit" and "Cool Water", songs written by a hero of his, Bob Nolan, the main songwriter for his group, the original Sons of the Pioneers. Marty's ability to handle all popular song styles is displayed in this exceptional album. He refused to be placed in a rut or be classified as just a country singer. We could have done without some of the earlier unrecalled songs in favor of a few left out, but all in all, this item is well worth the price. For the record, "El Paso, City (by the Rio Grande)" is my favorite. Hope you enjoy it.

This is one of the best CD's I have ever bought. Besides being excellent value for money (double CD - 50 tracks) it offers the listener the opportunity to enjoy one of the most under-rated singers of the last century. Mr Robbins sings with a purity that is rare to find. This CD offers a definitive guide to the versatility and talent of this great artist. The listener will be transported to the Old West with 'El Paso', 'The Hanging Tree' and 'Cool Water'. My personal favourites are 'Song of the Bandit', 'Smokin' cigarettes and drinkin' coffee blues', 'Hello Heartache' and the very moving 'Man walks among us'. My advice is to BUY IT! You will NOT regret it.

This collection is a very excellent example of the great Marty Robbins' work, with the very best and most well remembered songs written and performed by one of the greatest of country music.

For those who wish to complete their classic country collections or those who want to be introduced to the great roots of country, this is an excellent foundation from which to build or a great starting point from which to learn about the country genre.

Every song in this excellect 2 CD collection is a timeless classic and a gem of the country music world. A must have for all country music lovers.

Marquetta Pisarcik

When Marty Robbins sings, it gets in your blood, and your heart. How can you pick just a few of his songs to put on an "essential" or "best of" album? He has no bad songs. I love him!

This is an excellent investment to add to your collection. I actually bought it six years ago when I first saw it ang it has all the well known music also some music I hadn't heard but it is all good. I am 25 yrs old and I don't remember Marty too well but I do remember the day that he died, my grandmother was devestated and my mom was too. My grandma always listened to his music and that is why I now listen to it. If my grandma had been alive when this album came out you can bet that she wouuld have been the first one at the store to buy it.

With the exception of Eddy Arnold, Jim Reeves, and Johnny Cash, no other Country artist had as big an impact on the more lucrative Billboard Pop singles charts than Marty Robbins, as no less than 24 times did he crack the Top/Hot 100, with another eleven just missing by making the "bubbling under" charts. And among that 24, four were Hot 100 hits only as Cap & Gown [# 45 in 1959], Is There Any Chance? and Ballad Of The Alamo [# 31 and # 34 respectively in 1960], and I Told The Brook [# 81 in 1962] did not make the Country charts.

Also, contrary to one reviewer's contention, A White Sport Coat (And A Pink Carnation) was not his best pop hit. That honour belongs to El Paso which was his only # 1 in late 1959/early 1960 [A White Sport Coat made it to # 2 in 1957 and was his second best].

He did, however, have SIXTEEN # 1 Country hits, beginning with his very first for Columbia way back in 1952 [I'll Go On Alone] and ending in 1976 with Among My Souvenirs. Both are in this box set. In addition, he had 78 other Country Top 100 singles.

So, yes, it would be rather difficult to put together a set containing 50 selections and not leave off SOMETHING of significance. In my case, for example, I would have loved to see Ballad Of The Alamo included.

But hey, what is here is worth the price because, not only does it contain 24 charted hits, they are fully detailed in the 22-page booklet that accompanies the 2 CDs. This also contains informative liner notes written by Rich Kienzle in July 1991 along with many great photos of Marty over the years, as well as album cover reproductions (including his first), and personal appearance/movie poster reproductions.

For once Columbia did something right.