Search - George Morgan :: Candy Kisses: 28 Orig Mono Recordgs 1949-1952

Country classics from an early '50s idol

Joe Sixpack -- Slipcue.com | ...in Middle America | 03/18/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It's tempting for fans of honkytonk and hard country music to overlook George Morgan as just another Eddy Arnold-like countrypolitan crooner... It turns out, though, that he was really one of Music City's best singers - a soulful romantic in the Carl Smith-ish heartsong style. This excellent CD collects some of Morgan's best material from the early '50s, and makes a strong case for reevaluating his place in country music. If you enjoy sentimental country songs, but can live without the goopy, overwrought production the Nashville usually piled on top during this time period, then this collection might be just what you're looking for... I totally love it!This disc is a fine compliment to the "Room Full Of Roses" collection on Razor & Tie Records, including nearly twenty tunes not on that album. Partly, this is due to ASV's sticking to Morgan's early years, but it's still a pleasure to hear material from this dimly-remembered country crooner. Sweet, sentimental stuff, sung with a Crosby-like ease. Also includes a couple of duet tracks recorded with Rosemary Clooney, who was also on the Columbia label at the time; they didn't exactly tear up the charts, but they do showcase Morgan in an overtly "pop" framework, another nice touch in a fine selection of old-fashioned hillbilly hits. Recommended!"