Customer Reviews

Ultimate Collection

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Let me say straight away that this British compilation contains many of the same tracks that are featured on the American compilation Definitive Collection. Although there are differences, I don't think there are enough to warrant buying both, but others may disagree.

This collection contains all of Chely's country hits for the period covered, plus a few album tracks. During that period, Chely released five albums and all the hits were taken from one or other of those albums, so everything here has been previously released on CD. However, the first album sold poorly and the second, though it did better, didn't really do the business either, so very few fans would have all five albums. Those first two albums are represented by seven tracks between them, which seems quite generous considering how little business they did, but five of them were minor hits on the American country charts. British country fans who buy multi-artist compilations may recognize Sea of cowboy hats, as it occasionally turns up on such compilations.

Chely's American breakthrough came with her third album, represented here by five tracks - the title track (not itself released as a single), three country hits, the biggest of which was Shut up and drive, and a cover of Feelin' single seein' double, previously recorded by both Emmylou Harris and George Jones. Emmylou's version can be found on Elite hotel. While that album had encouraging sales, it was the follow-up, Single white female, that appeared to propel Chely into the big time. The title track gave Chely a number one country hit and the album sold well in America. The follow-up single, It was, only just missed the country top ten. A third single was only a minor country hit but that didn't matter.

It seemed that Chely was finally on a roll, but that was as good as it got. Chely's next album, Never love you enough, debuted at a higher chart position than its predecessor had peaked at, but the singles released from it didn't get the airplay expected so ultimately sales were disappointing by the standards that were expected. So ended that phase of Chely's career. Following that 2001 release, another album was released in 2005, but apart from compilations, there was to be nothing more until 2010.

In 2010, Chely released her autobiography containing revelations about her private life that the media and public had been completely unaware of, and also released a new album that, from what I read, reflects her new situation. Maybe the publicity that her revelation have generated, particularly in America, will have a positive impact on her career, but the music here was recorded several years before and this compilation was released in 2008. At the time, she kept her secret well hidden. Certainly, her music gives nothing away.

This compilation provides an excellent introduction to the music of Chely Wright and may even tempt a few people into seeking out her earlier albums. Some are out of print but used copies can still be found, though if Chely's career takes off again re-issues will likely follow.

I have not found much I do not like that Chely has sung.Country music needs more like her.Real CLASS!