The Best of Roger Miller: His Greatest Songs

Roger Miller

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 10, 1991)
• Original Release Date: 1991
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Curb Special Markets
• ASIN: B000000D25
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #76,650 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

The key to the strengths and the weaknesses of Best of Roger Miller is in its subtitle: His Greatest Songs. No question, Miller's "King of the Road" and "Dang Me" were among the most innovative and entertaining songs in country music history, and his "Husbands and Wives" among the most moving. But while this set includes many of his greatest songs, they are here in rerecorded versions only, and though faithful to the original arrangements, they also lack the madcap punch and free-swinging acoustic rhythms of his mid-'60s radio hits. Which is just to say that this collection is certainly enjoyable but most likely for Roger Miller completists only. --David Cantwell

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not the original recordings, August 1, 2000

By A Customer

It's okay, but I would have preferred the originals. My fault because I neglected to listen to the samples.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars England swings with the king of the road, March 15, 2005

By	Peter Durward Harris "Pete the music fan" (Leicester England) - See all my reviews (TOP 10 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Best of (Audio CD)

Roger Miller first made his mark as a songwriter when Andy Williams recorded his song, In the summertime. As a singer, his earliest successes were with novelty songs like Dang me.

When Roger started writing more serious songs, he really hit the jackpot. The song he is best remembered for, King of the road, describes a man who needs somewhere to sleep overnight. He hasn't got any money but he is willing to do two hours' work to pay for his bed. Another of his classic songs, England swings, describes his image of London as he saw it in the sixties. I don't think London was really as he describes it even then but it's a great song. Walking in the sunshine is another joyful song. Contrast those songs with Husbands and wives, a very sad song about marital problems.

Having been grateful to others who recorded his songs while he was struggling, Roger did his bit for those that followed. He helped Kris Kristofferson by being the first singer to record Me and Bobby McGee, a song that has since become a country standard but also made the pop charts when covered by Janis Joplin. He also recorded Little green apples, written by Bobby Russell.

Roger had five hits on the British pop charts (King of the road - a number one hit, Engine engine number nine, Kansas city star, England swings and Little green apples). He had an even greater number of hits on the American pop charts and more still on the country charts.

This compilation of Roger's music contains all his essential hits, together with covers of other classic songs. Although the best single CD of his music is the fill priced compilation, All time greatest hits, this budget collection will suffice for most people.

NOTE - this review is linked to more than one Roger Miller compilation. My review refers to the British release on the Spectrum label.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great CD, September 23, 2005

By	T. Krauter "TuneLover" (BFE Nebraska) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

My dad was a Roger Miller fan, I have been for 40+ years and now my 12 year old daughter is a huge fan. It says a lot for music when it can appeal to such a broad spectrum across the generations. Thanks Roger for the great music.