If Don Gibson is mentioned these days, it's usually as the country songwriter responsible for standards like "I Can't Stop Lovin' You," "Sweet Dreams," and "Oh Lonesome Me." This CD is a reminder that Gibson was also a com... more »manding, sensitive singer who first put those titles--and eight others included here--in the Country Top 10. Producer Chet Atkins only lightly sweetened these early Nashville Sound tracks, allowing Gibson's affecting style plenty of room. His greatest performance might be on "Sea of Heartbreak," a Hal David-penned number that's a small lesson in controlled vocal emotion. In addition to Gibson's most notable hits, this collection also offers several fine album tracks (a stylishly low-key version of "Camptown Races," the midtempo near-rocker "It Has to Be"). Astonishingly, the liner notes point out, Gibson has yet to be inducted into country's Hall of Fame. If nothing else, though, this reissue should help reset the balance in appreciation of Gibson's work. --Rickey Wright« less
If Don Gibson is mentioned these days, it's usually as the country songwriter responsible for standards like "I Can't Stop Lovin' You," "Sweet Dreams," and "Oh Lonesome Me." This CD is a reminder that Gibson was also a commanding, sensitive singer who first put those titles--and eight others included here--in the Country Top 10. Producer Chet Atkins only lightly sweetened these early Nashville Sound tracks, allowing Gibson's affecting style plenty of room. His greatest performance might be on "Sea of Heartbreak," a Hal David-penned number that's a small lesson in controlled vocal emotion. In addition to Gibson's most notable hits, this collection also offers several fine album tracks (a stylishly low-key version of "Camptown Races," the midtempo near-rocker "It Has to Be"). Astonishingly, the liner notes point out, Gibson has yet to be inducted into country's Hall of Fame. If nothing else, though, this reissue should help reset the balance in appreciation of Gibson's work. --Rickey Wright
CD Reviews
A Worthy Collection
Michael D Johnson | Elgin, Illinois United States | 05/26/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Well-focused and more thorough than other Gibson collections. A real effort was made here, both in the song selection, and the extensive liner notes, to emphasize the collaboration between Don Gibson and his producer/guitarist Chet Atkins. These two exceptional artists truly created in the artistic, not merely commercial sense, a new, more urban style of country music. Gibson's "Big Four" compositions are here:"Oh Lonesome Me", "Legend In My Time", "Can't Stop Lovin' You", and "Sweet Dreams". It's nice to find "Who Cares" and "Don't Tell Me Your Troubles" together on a single disc collection, as these two songs are usually buried in multi-disc sets. They are, deservedly, highlighted better in this album. One can listen to this album, and like a collection of mid-40's Bill Monroe, or Elvis mid-50's Sun sessions, get an appreciation of something going on that was actually taking a genre somewhere new-- in this case, the development of the Nashville Sound. The liner notes do a very good job of detailing just what Gibson and Atkins set out to do. My personal favorite 'throw-in' cut is Camptown Races', the Stephan Foster piece of Americana that gets tender loving care from vocalist and producer. Putting the new sound to work here is like restoring an antique to new luster. If I had my 'druthers' here, I'd have picked a couple of Gibson self-penned tunes... maybe "Times Were Good", or "Far, Far, Away", instead of "Funny, Familiar, Forgotten Feelings" and "Did'nt Work Out". The former, a Mickey Newberry tune, is good, but is a little heavy on the 'doo-wop' for me. But, that's just me playin' favorites, and nitpicking, in light of the overall quality of this album. Don Gibson was one of country music's true originals, and his artistry is wonderfully portrayed here."
Okay, Four and a HALF Stars
Eclectic Revisited | Arizona | 12/08/2004
(4 out of 5 stars)
"It doesn't look like there's heavy traffic here to see this compilation by The Sad Poet. The Amazon info is dated also for Don Gibson was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2001, two years before he passed away in Nashville. This is a pretty good package of Big Don's music, some really solid hits. Don had a roller coaster career what with drug and alcohol problems but he left us with some fine music much of which is in this compilation. Too bad it doesn't include his later (1972) country hit, "Woman, Sensuous Woman" but that could have been for another label. This one is worth the price and I recommend it."
Great Originals from RCA
R. Williams | Missouri, USA | 04/07/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is one of the great country singers of all time. These are the original RCA recordings. Watch out for the ones that were re-recorded under another label. They don't sound as good as the original RCA recordings, and, in my opinion, shouldn't be sold without a disclaimer.
These songs were originally produced by Chet Atkins, and you will hear his unmistakably great sounding guitar on many of the recordings. Floyd Cramer also provides accompaniment on the piano and Charlie McCoy on the harmonica.
I don't know of any singers today who can compare with the likes of Don Gibson, Connie Smith, and David Houston. Do yourself a favor and buy this album. You will have countless hours of listening pleasure.
"
Brilliant!
Aase Garstad | Norway | 01/15/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Listening to Don Gibson is always soo great! I really enjoy this CD, including all the good songs I remember!"
Track Listings (16) - Disc #1