Honky-tonk crooner Johnny Bush is a country music icon in his home state of Texas; to the rest of the world, he is a minor figure with a couple of charting singles in the late 1960s and early 1970s. As evidenced by the 14 ... more »treasures included here, the Lone Star folks know exactly what they're talking about when it comes to Texas honky-tonk. Bush's spectacular, almost operatic voice tears into these tunes as if his life depended on it, imparting them each with a palpable sense of pain and longing. Most of these cuts are from Bush's successful late-1960s tenure with little-known Stop Records, and the arrangements stick mostly to whining fiddles and steel guitar. Bush deserves wider recognition from country music aficionados in general, but if you're going to be a local country legend, Texas is certainly the place to do so. --Marc Greilsamer« less
Honky-tonk crooner Johnny Bush is a country music icon in his home state of Texas; to the rest of the world, he is a minor figure with a couple of charting singles in the late 1960s and early 1970s. As evidenced by the 14 treasures included here, the Lone Star folks know exactly what they're talking about when it comes to Texas honky-tonk. Bush's spectacular, almost operatic voice tears into these tunes as if his life depended on it, imparting them each with a palpable sense of pain and longing. Most of these cuts are from Bush's successful late-1960s tenure with little-known Stop Records, and the arrangements stick mostly to whining fiddles and steel guitar. Bush deserves wider recognition from country music aficionados in general, but if you're going to be a local country legend, Texas is certainly the place to do so. --Marc Greilsamer
CD Reviews
Texas Honky Tonk At Its Best
James Holden | 06/05/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"All I can say is move over Ray Price!!![.] This collection of Johnny Bush's Greatest Hits puts anything Ray Price has done under the table real fast!!![.] Bush has a voice that is almost beyond belief. As another reviewer has already said there isn't a bad track on this album. It is worth every cent you pay for it. The sound quality on this CD is excellent. If you like good old fashioned country music in the Texas Honky Tonk style, this one is a winner!!![.]"
Serious honky tonk
T. Jackson | north carolina | 03/16/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"serious honky tonk fans, you ought to pick this disk up. if you like ray price, webb pierce, faron young, then you'll like this one, and the price is right on."
Nobody Does It Better Than Johnny Bush
Babs Nowotny | TEXAS | 06/26/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"If, you like a powerful, vibrating, voice that can go right through you and overwhelm you, then Johnny Bush is your man. He's got the cry of the steel guitar and a great voice to match. Nobody does it better than Johnny Bush. He really knows how to belt out a song. He's without a doubt, one of country musics best singers by far. Johnny Bush is true country through and through. He puts every ounce of his soul into each and every one of his songs. His songs range from everything from sad to funny and in between and all of them are simply, wonderful. If, you want great music and a great voice to go with it, then Johnny Bush is a must."
Johnny Bush The One and Only
Billy G. Strong | Ft. Worth, Texas | 11/30/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"How anyone can use the word "minor figure" when talking about Johnny Bush is beyond my comprenhension. Texas icon yes first and foremost, but he is a country music legend as well. Whiskey River. There stands the glass, Green Snakes on the ceiling, and Here comes the world again. Just to mention a few. His new stuff is great as well. As an artist he has stood the test of time where traditional country music is concerned. I recently had the honor to see him in concert. I still have not found the right words to discribe the hour and fourty five minute show other than great, and electrifying. The best concert I have seen in a long while. Johnny Bush is the "real deal" folks this is traditional classic country music at its best, not rock-n-roll disguised under a cowboy hat. Which is alot of what we hear this day and age. #1Fan, Billy G. Strong"
Real country music for a change!
Billy G. Strong | 10/29/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"For listeners (young and old) growing tired of the 'country' music that is being served up diluted for public consumption, Johnny Bush is a welcome relief. This album will take you to a South Texas Dance Hall where Bob Wills' Western Swing and Ray Price's Texas Shuffle beat are still King (no line dancing here!). Johnny Bush is of the Texas Shuffle variety and his sound is pure country. If you don't like twangy Steel Guitars and Texas fiddles, this isn't the album for you (you'll need to return to the 'nursery' of young country). But for those who love real Texas music, you'll savor every track on this CD."
Track Listings (14) - Disc #1