Tears of Fire: The 25th Anniversary Collection [BOX SET]

Tammy Wynette

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 10, 1992)
• Original Release Date: November 10, 1992
• Number of Discs: 3
• Format: Box set
• Note on Boxed Sets: During shipping, discs in boxed sets occasionally become dislodged without damage. Please examine and play these discs. If you are not completely satisfied, we'll refund or replace your purchase.
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B0000028OX
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #106,359 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com essential recording
Sometimes it is hard to be a woman. That, of course, is the central line in Tammy Wynette's signature song, and the message that she conveyed repeatedly over the course of her three-decades-long recording career. Wynette was uniquely suited to convey pathos with pluck. She, along with Loretta Lynn, pretty much defined country music from the female perspective from the late '60s through the '70s. But while Lynn presented a mostly amiable façade, Wynette was the more gripping and imposing artist. For starters, she possessed pipes that could tear your heart out of your chest. Tears of Fire (and what and excellent--and appropriate--title) gathers all her hits and a few oddities (1964's pre-flight "You Can Steal Me," her weird but captivating 1991 collaboration with the urban dance unit the KLF) in one three-disc package. Old fans will find this essential; the merely curious with a skewed outlook on the down-home diva based on "Stand by Your Man" will be stunned by how talented Wynette really was. --Steven Stolder

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I Am Not a Country Fan...Just a Fan of Tammy., February 15, 2000

By A Customer

Thank God I finally discovered Tammy Wynette. Even with all her success and legendary status, she still hasn't gotten what she's due. Some of her songs are pure pop and others quintessential country. "My Man (Understands)" and "Good Lovin'" are my favorites. She is the BEST BEST BEST BEST!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The ultimate collection..though still missing some gems, February 24, 2005

By	Jeffery D. Lefleur - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Having been a fan foever, and, for a few years in the mid 80's, a personal friend, I am grateful CBS has this box set for all of her fans. The "essential" hits and many early LP cuts are here and she, of course, is the best of the best. I only wish CBS would now put out an additional disc (or two?) "Tears Of Fire - disc 4 & 5" ! Many singles and great recordings of her later 70's and 80's are missing including : Reach Out Your Hand, Love's The Answer, There Goes That Old Steel Guitar, You Make Me Want To Be A Mother, I'd Like To See Jesus, Womanhood, No One Else In The World, He Was There When I Needed You, Starting Over, Next To You, Thank The Cowboy For The Ride, Let's Call It A Day Today, Lonely Heart, You Can Lead A Heart To Love. Also, Tammy's favorites she like to do in concert : Stayin' Home Woman and Your Memory's Gone To Rest. Don't get me wrong, this box set is well worth the money. CBS/Epic owes the public more from the First Lady. She was as humble as they come and it's such a shame they added her to the Hall Of Fame after her death. She told me she really didn't think she was that big of a deal. Peace and love to you Tammy, and Richey & the girls too.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb collection of music by a unique singer, September 25, 2003

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

This is a very impressive set, containing most of Tammy's hits from her first minor country hit (Apartment number nine) to her last major international hit, Justified and ancient, though this track sits uneasily on this collection. Of course, if you don't like it, you can easily skip it as it's the last track.

There are also a few previously unreleased rarities, best of which is Deepening snow. Like all Tammy compilations, this one misses out some big hits including (in this case) Run woman run, Reach out your hand and my favorite Tammy track, Womanhood. Still, this is still the best collection of Tammy's music yet released for the true fan. The missing big hits (and a few missing lesser hits) can be found elsewhere.

As well as getting the vast majority of her classics from her first ten years, there are many of her best songs from later in her career including Another chance, Unwed fathers and several tracks from her acoustic album, Higher ground. Tammy also recorded plenty of covers and some of these are included, among these being Sweet dreams, Lonely street, You'll never walk alone (the best version I've heard of this famous song) and No charge. I've never liked No charge, whoever sings it, and would much prefer to have had Sweet music man, another song that Tammy did better than anybody else (even including Dolly and Reba, though they came close).

This collection will appeal to everybody who enjoys Tammy's music but who wants more than a single CD can offer. I would have liked a fourth CD, which would have allowed all the remaining hits to be included and a few more choice album tracks. But this set is plenty good enough to be going on with.