Kenny Rogers - 42 Ultimate Hits
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Free Music Notes for 42 Ultimate Hits
Free Music Review: Best Rogers Collection Next To His Box Set
Hit: 5 Stars
Whether or not you like his music, you can't deny Kenny Rogers is one of the most prolific and commercially successful artists ever. This two-disc restrospective 42 Ultimate Hits is the first collection other than his box set Through The Years to contain recordings from each of his labels since he first hit the charts in the `60s.
Five recordings by Rogers with the First Edition (1967-1970, on Reprise) lead off the first disc and they are an impressively versatile lot. There's the psychedelic "Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In)," the sexy, r & b lavored "Something's Burning" and best of all, the folk tales "Ruby, Don't Take Your Love To Town" and "Reuben James." Sorely missed here, however, is their sweet country-pop hit "But You Know I Love You."
The First Edition broke up in 1975 and Rogers signed a solo deal with United Artists (later folded into Liberty, then Capitol) records. These are the recordings that made Rogers a superstar and they comprise 25 of the 42 tracks found here). Rogers' initial producer at United Artists, Larry Butler, encouraged Rogers to make his sandpapery vocals a trademark (created by rehearsing until hoarse and straining to hold those almost out of reach notes). Rogers' early solo hits like Lucille," "The Gambler," "Coward Of The County," "Lady," and "Love Will Turn You Around" were strong representatives of cross-over country during the Urban Cowboy era. With one major exception: "You Decorated My Life." Who was that intended for, Martha Stewart?
The real highlight of Rogers' United Artists/Liberty years were the duets. Pairing Rogers with diverse artists like Kim Carnes("Don't Fall In Love With A Dreamer") and Sheena Easton ("We've Got Tonight") provided a great showcase for his harmonic talents. Even better are the half-dozen singles that Rogers recorded with the late Dottie West during the late '70s. Their mixture of honey (West) and gravel (Rogers) made for a surprisingly tasty mix, especially on the jazzy "What Are We Doin' In Love" and the delightfully lustful "Anyone Who Isn't Me Tonight."
Dolly Parton succeeded West as Rogers' duet partner in the '80s when he jumped to the RCA label, but their potent natural blend on the megahit "Islands In The Streams" was weakened by their overly loud backup singers/producers, the Bee Gees. "Islands" is followed here by five more hits from Rogers' RCA years (1983-1988), including the beautifully reflective "Twenty Years Ago," the horny "Morning Desire" and the Ronnie Milsap duet, "Make No Mistake, She's Mine." Unfortunate omissions from the RCA era include the galloping "Evening Star," and the chart-topping Parton collaboration "Real Love."
Slighted even more on this set is Rogers' late '80s - early '90s tenure on Reprise. By this point, country radio was concentrating on the new traditionalists and Rogers was no longer topping the charts. He made some wonderfully eclectic music, however, like the intergalactic cowboy ode "Planet Texas," the inspirational "When You Put Your Hear In It" and the wedding anthem "The Vows Go Unbroken," but only the latter recording is included here. Check out Through The Years for a more healthy sampling of the RCA and Reprise solo eras.
After some lean recording years, Rogers made an improbable but highly successful comeback in 1999 with the one-two punch of the humorous baseball saga "The Greatest" and the number one hit "Buy Me A Rose" for his own Dreamcatcher label. The three new tracks that follow and close this collection - including "My World Is Over" with Shania Twain-soundalike Whitney Duncan - reveal Rogers is still making quality music. Even if they fail to reach the upper regions, he's had - as this impressive set reminds us - a hell of a ride.
Free Music Review: Best Rogers set available next to box set Through The Years
Hit: 5 Stars
Whether or not you like his music, you can't deny Kenny Rogers is one of the most prolific and commercially successful artists ever. This two-disc restrospective 42 Ultimate Hits is the first collection other than his box set Through The Years to contain recordings from each of his labels since he first hit the charts in the `60s.Five recordings by Rogers with the First Edition (1967-1970, on Reprise) lead off the first disc and they are an impressively versatile lot. There's the psychedelic "Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In)," the sexy, r & b lavored "Something's Burning" and best of all, the folk tales "Ruby, Don't Take Your Love To Town" and "Reuben James." Sorely missed here, however, is their sweet country-pop hit "But You Know I Love You."
The First Edition broke up in 1975 and Rogers signed a solo deal with United Artists (later folded into Liberty, then Capitol) records. These are the recordings that made Rogers a superstar and they comprise 25 of the 42 tracks found here). Rogers' initial producer at United Artists, Larry Butler, encouraged Rogers to make his sandpapery vocals a trademark (created by rehearsing until hoarse and straining to hold those almost out of reach notes). Rogers' early solo hits like Lucille," "The Gambler," "Coward Of The County," "Lady," and "Love Will Turn You Around" were strong representatives of cross-over country during the Urban Cowboy era. With one major exception: "You Decorated My Life." Who was that intended for, Martha Stewart?
The real highlight of Rogers' United Artists/Liberty years were the duets. Pairing Rogers with diverse artists like Kim Carnes("Don't Fall In Love With A Dreamer") and Sheena Easton ("We've Got Tonight") provided a great showcase for his harmonic talents. Even better are the half-dozen singles that Rogers recorded with the late Dottie West during the late '70s. Their mixture of honey (West) and gravel (Rogers) made for a surprisingly tasty mix, especially on the jazzy "What Are We Doin' In Love" and the delightfully lustful "Anyone Who Isn't Me Tonight."
Dolly Parton succeeded West as Rogers' duet partner in the '80s when he jumped to the RCA label, but their potent natural blend on the megahit "Islands In The Streams" was weakened by their overly loud backup singers/producers, the Bee Gees. "Islands" is followed here by five more hits from Rogers' RCA years (1983-1988), including the beautifully reflective "Twenty Years Ago," the horny "Morning Desire" and the Ronnie Milsap duet, "Make No Mistake, She's Mine." Unfortunate omissions from the RCA era include the galloping "Evening Star," and the chart-topping Parton collaboration "Real Love."
Slighted even more on this set is Rogers' late '80s - early '90s tenure on Reprise. By this point, country radio was concentrating on the new traditionalists and Rogers was no longer topping the charts. He made some wonderfully eclectic music, however, like the intergalactic cowboy ode "Planet Texas," the inspirational "When You Put Your Hear In It" and the wedding anthem "The Vows Go Unbroken," but only the latter recording is included here. Check out Through The Years for a more healthy sampling of the RCA and Reprise solo eras.
After some lean recording years, Rogers made an improbable but highly successful comeback in 1999 with the one-two punch of the humorous baseball saga "The Greatest" and the number one hit "Buy Me A Rose" for his own Dreamcatcher label. The three new tracks that follow and close this collection - including "My World Is Over" with Shania Twain-soundalike Whitney Duncan - reveal Rogers is still making quality music. Even if they fail to reach the upper regions, he's had - as this impressive set reminds us - a hell of a ride.
Free Music Review: You MUST buy this CD Set!!
Hit: 5 Stars
This is a wonderful, wonderful CD set.
Kenny Rogers is an immortal American Icon. That's because Kenny can do almost anything! In fact, here are ten reasons why all Americans should support Kenny Rogers for President of the United States in 2012:
1. Kenny can sing anything, from manly, gut-wrenching songs like "Ruby don't take your love to town." to tear jerkers like "Islands in the Stream" with Dolly Parton, who, even though she probably now has a back problem, is no slouch herself.
2. Kenny's breakthrough act, "Kenny Rogers and the First Edition", was all the rage in "flower power" circles of the late sixties. Back then, it was "Tune in, turn on, drop out," and listen to the psychedelic sounds of mind-blowing lyrics like "I found my mind in a brown paper bag."
3. Not being satisfied with being a millionaire, Kenny became a multimillionaire after he launched a highly successful franchise of fried chicken restaurants. Hundreds of people who ate at "Kenny Roger's Fried Chicken" swore that this culinary delight was "the food of the gods". As a result, one NYC franchise became the subject of a "Seinfeld" episode.
4. Kenny used to host the tonight show in the absence of Johnny Carson, David Brenner and Freddy Prinze. Subsequently, Kenny became the dapper host to megastar celebs like Robert Blake, Redd Foxx, Charro and Lonnie Anderson. Overnight, Kenny's sharp wit proved to be a show biz sensation and the show became a laff riot...
5. Kenny made a tremendous impact in the film world with his awesome onscreen presence in the smash hits, "The Gambler", "The Gambler Part 2" "The Gambler Part 3" "The Gambler Part 4" and lest we forget, "The Gambler Part 5".
6. "The Coward of the County." Need we say more?
7. Kenny has thousands of impersonators. If you have any doubts about this, check out your local mall on any given day. In fact, the annual "Kenny Empressario" convention in Branson, Missouri will regularly draw dozens of middle-aged, bearded men. When not exchanging "trade" secrets", these individuals play cards, smoke cigars and watch video outtakes of the "The Gambler", "The Gambler Part 2" "The Gambler Part 3" "The Gambler Part 4" and lest we forget, "The Gambler Part 5".
8. Kenny has authored and has been the subject of many books, including "The Gambler", "The Gambler Part 2" "The Gambler Part 3" "The Gambler Part 4" and lest we forget, "The Gambler Part 5".
9. Kenny and Dolly Parton will probably some day get married.
10. As a pol and then as President, Kenny probably will probably have some great social programs that will need to be legislated and financed. Money? No problem! With Dolly as first lady, he'll be able to raise millions of dollars at fundraisers. After that, there'll be massive tax cuts for everybody!! After all, Kenny can do anything!!
I really enjoyed listening to this fantastic CD and you will too!!!
Free Music Review: One of the best (and most complete) Kenny Rogers greatest songs.
Hit: 5 Stars
First I just want to say that I'm a big fan of Kenny Rogers so I might be biased but I'll try to be objective.
With this CD you get pretty much all the greatest hit of Kenny Rogers. I like 90% of the songs and I am guessing most people (who like Kenny Roger's songs) will like at least 70%-80% of the songs in this album.
Lots of beautiful love songs in this CD: Island in the stream, You decorated my life, She believes in me, Love will turn you around, Crazy etc..
Some of the rarer songs (but I like them a lot) are also included here: Twenty years ago, Morning Desire, and Buried Treasure.
Some of the songs aren't the original recording but I think they are equally great.. different .. but both are just fine..
For Kenny Roger's new fan, check out "21 Number Ones" album (this CD), "the greatest hit" album and the "Kenny Rogers live by request". Also check the new CD Water and Bridges. The song "I can't unlove you" is a hit.
Here are some of my all time Kenny Rogers favorite songs (almost all of them available in the "21 Number Ones" album. I call this list, Kenny Rogers essential:
The Gambler
Through The Years
Lady
Lucille
Coward of The County
We've Got Tonight (with Sheena Easton)
Crazy
Islands In The Stream (with Dolly Parton)
She Believes In Me
You Decorated My Life
Make No Mistake, She's Mine (with Ronnie Milsap)
Daytime Friends
Love Or Something Like It
Love Will Turn You Around
Morning Desire
The Factory
Twenty years ago
Don't Fall In Love With A Dreamer (with Kim Carnes)
Ruby, Don't take your love to town
Buried treasure
I don't call him daddy
She's ready for someone to love her
Updated Dec 15th:
I went to see Kenny Rogers live recently (his greatest hits and chrismas song concert.) I had a blast, simply amazing. I recommend all Kenny Rogers fans to visit his concert Live at least once. (We never know how many more years he will do his tour but I do hope for many more years to come)
Free Music Review: A very stong collection by one of my favorite singers
Hit: 5 Stars
This collection traces Kenny's music from his hits with the First Edition up to his comeback with Buy me a rose. It does not contain all his hits - there are too many to include in a double CD - but it includes all the classics such as Ruby don't take your love to town, Lucille, The gambler, Coward of the county and Lady. A 4-CD boxed set (Through the years) is available for those who want a more comprehensive collection, though it doesn't contain any of his comeback hits. While a lot of great songs are necessarily missing from this double CD, Love will turn you around (surprisingly omitted from the boxed set) is included.
The collection contains many of Kenny's American country and pop hits of the seventies and eighties, a few of which also made the British pop charts (and all his British hits are included). The set includes five duets with Dottie West (a vastly under-appreciated singer) and one duet each with Kim Carnes (Don't fall in love with a dreamer), Dolly Parton (Islands in the stream), Sheena Easton (We've got tonight) and Ronnie Milsap (Make no mistake she's mine). Among his solo tracks on this CD, you will have your own favorites. Lucille is the song that turned me on to Kenny's music and I still think it's his best - but not by much. I particularly like Scarlet fever and Blaze of glory. Note that Daytime friends is a solo track, not a duet wth Dottie.
If you only want one Kenny Rogers collection and don't want to buy the boxed set, this set is the one to buy. I still get immense pleasure from listening to him, even though I've heard some of the songs hundreds of times.