Music Reviews

Album Review: Various Artists – ‘Ultimate Grammy Collection: Classic Country’

By Jeff Swindoll Jan 9, 2008, 13:42 GMT

Son, son – when you’re hot you’re hot.  This might have to be my favorite of all of the Grammy collections that I’ve heard. Ah, fickle youth. 

I used to listen to country radio until I discovered rock-n-roll and from then on cast a baleful eye upon it.  However, those were the “good ole’ days” of Cash, Jennings, Price, and Nelson.  I still don’t have a great deal of like for current Country radio since Cash, Jennings, and the other legends can’t seem to get any play on it, but that’s another rant (and I’ve done that already). 

This great collection brings together a great roster of country legends (most of which that have passed on) and it was a stroll down memory lane for me.  We start with the “King of the Road” Roger Miller and his great song and even get two doses of Johnny Cash, “A Boy Named Sue” and “If I Were a Carpenter” with June Carter. 

On the comedy side we have Jerry Reed’s “When You’re Hot You’re Hot” (I love that one son!) and Jeannie C. Riley’s “Harper Valley P.T.A,” which are not only great songs but will make you laugh.  George Jones’ “He Stopped Loving Her Today” is perhaps one of the best country songs and is well represented on this album. 

Fine, fine stuff.  Go out and get it son.