The Greatest Hits Collection, Vol. 2

Brooks & Dunn

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 19, 2004)
• Original Release Date: October 19, 2004
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Arista
• ASIN: B0002YJ2C6
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #6,977 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Anyone who is still clueless about what a great singer Ronnie Dunn is need only grab this second greatest-hits package from Brooks & Dunn, a 17-song compilation that skims the commercial high points from the duo's 1998-2004 period. Dunn, the quintessential balladeer, soars on honky-tonk laments and reminiscences like "Red Dirt Road" and "How Long Gone," and on full-throated romantic plaints like "That's What She Gets for Loving Me" and "It's Getting Better All the Time." His sidekick, the underrated guitarist, utility singer, and all-around dynamo Kix Brooks, also gets his moment to shine on a marvelous '60s-style, 18-wheeler ditty called "Independent Trucker," one of three new cuts included here. --Bob Allen

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn...country's greatest duo!, October 19, 2004

By	DanD - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

In their latter years, Kix and Ronnie have suffered a little bit. They lost some radio airplay after their first GREATEST HITS album. (This is shown in their heavy reliance on other people's material, despite the fact both men are stellar songwriters.) With STEERS & STRIPES, however, they made a remarkable comeback...and here is the collection that proves it.

The new tracks are good but not the best these two can do--"That's What It's All About" is a nod to family, fans, and everyone else; "It's Getting Better All the Time" is a pretty good heartbreaking performance by Ronnie; and "Independent Trucker" is a rockin, honky-tonk number on which Kix shines. Their older material, however, shows where their greatest talents lay...

"A Man This Lonely" is a powerful ballad of heartache (Dunn's voice is superb when it comes to heartbreak numbers; Kix is better at the rowdy tunes). "South of Santa Fe" is a haunting number of the southwest. "Red Dirt Road", cowritten by the two (one of only a handful of songs on here either wrote), is a classic look at times gone by, and where we come from. The duo's take on Roger Miller's "Husbands and Wives" is priceless; the Spanish-tinged "My Heart is Lost to You" and the groovy "Ain't Nothin 'Bout You" are still highlites of their career. And while they delve deep into honky-tonk on "I'll Never Forgive My Heart" (I couldn't even say if this was a single or not), they get pop-ish on "The Long Goodbye", showing their versatility in the face of changing styles.

Yeah, Brooks & Dunn have changed their music--but not their quality. While they aren't as honky-tonk as they used to be, they are still going strong, writing (although you couldn't tell it by this album) and performing great country music. THE GREATEST HITS COLLECTION II may not Brooks & Dunn at their best...but it's still pretty darn good.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Kix and Ronnie keep churning out the hits!, October 19, 2004

By	Fruit Loop (Down South) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

The fact that Brooks and Dunn already have a greatest hits VOLUME TWO as well as a volume one in an otherwise-brief career is both a testimonial to their talent and a promise of longevity in the cutthroat music industry. Ronnie Dunn's voice soars on already-classic hits such as "How Long Gone" and "Red Dirt Road" just to name a few of the famous tracks in this fabulous collection. If you're a new B&D fan and want to get all their best without having to buy all their albums, this one's for you. If you're hardcore Brooks and Dunn, then you still won't want to miss it. What better treat for yourself on that dull ride to work in the morning? Congratulations, Ronnie and Kix. I can't wait for Volume 3!!!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Solid Brooks N Dunn Hit Collection, October 22, 2004

By	Dennis Casto (Auburn,Indiana) - See all my reviews

Mainly being the best country music duo in history,this hit set falls short of the original.Since the first hit package their total album sales have slipped a little.But they still make real good hits.17 songs is plenty for this cd,but if you buy it at Wal-mart you get 3 exclusive bonus songs."Red Dirt Road","My Maria","Only In America".All three being (live).