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21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An Essential For Hardcore Fans, September 21, 2003
Patsy Cline's presence looms so large in 20th Century American popular music that it is tempting to believe she was a great star during her lifetime. That, however, is not really true. Cline spent most of the 1950s playing honky tonks, doing the occasional radio or television appearance, and making records that usually didn't sell. It was not until 1960 that Cline began to reach a national audience--but even then Cline's hits were not as many or as big as you might think. Then as now, music fans tended toward very specific niches, and Cline didn't fit easily within any of them, a fact that often made her a very hard sell. Even the famous "Sweet Dreams" couldn't ride the notoriety of her untimely death in a 1963 airplane crash to the top spot on the country charts, much less the pop charts.But for all of this, Cline had a devoted fan base--and more importantly a tremendous influence on the country and pop singers that came after her. Over time, that influence would grow to a legendary status, and by the close of the 20th century she would be considered one of the greatest vocalists of her era. She would also be one of the best-selling as well. THE PATSY CLINE COLLECTION offers all of Cline's most famous recordings and then some. This box set, which comes with a very handsome booklet detailing Cline's life and career, consists of four CDs: "Honky Tonk Merry Go Around," which includes early examples of Cline's original juke-joint style; "Moving Along," which shows her transitioning into her classic style; and "Heartaches" and "Sweet Dreams," which presents her in full "cross-over" mode, blending numerous popular musical idioms into a seamless whole. The quality of the recordings vary. Many are 1950s radio transcripts, with all the audio limitations such implies; the later recordings, of course, are state of the art c. 1960. But whether its the earliest cut (a radio transcript of "Walking the Dog") or the last (a live recording of "Just A Closer Walk with Thee"), every recording is distinctly Patsy Cline. There is absolutely no mistaking that incredible voice, and it transcends whatever limitations may be involved. The collection offers well over four hours of Pasty Cline recordings, and quite frankly if your interest in Cline is limited to the high style of her late 1950s and early 1960s work you would really do better to purchase a less expensive compilation. There are many such releases that include only the essentials. But if you're a die-hard fan--and I'm certainly one of them!--this is a must-have set. It is a pricey purchase, to be sure, but once the investment is made you will never need purchase another. And I can honestly say that I don't regret a penny spent. --GFT (Amazon Reviewer)--
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