The Essential Gene Autry [1/11] *

Description

"The Essential Gene Autry" (01/11/2005) Country Autry, Gene, Legacy RecordingsPersonnel: Gene Autry (vocals, guitar). This double-CD Gene Autry compilation, though impressive on a sonic level, and reasonably full, isn't quite perfect. Oh, it covers all of the basics and even gives some play to aspects of Autry such as his blues singing, represented by "Dallas County Jail Blues" and "T.B. Blues," that usually isn't familiar to listeners whose knowledge is limited to the hits such as "That Silver-Haired Daddy of Mine," "Back in the Saddle Again," "South of the Border (Down Mexico Way)," or "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer." And it works in such personally and musically expressive tracks as "The Death of Jimmie Rodgers," as well. And the annotation is also nice and full, as far as any of it goes in this Sony Music series. Yet, somehow, they managed to miss some pretty essential songs here, including Autry's version of "Blueberry Hill," which was a hit more than a decade before Fats Domino cut the song and would constitute a major revelation for anyone under the age of 50 who hears this set. In its defense, the sound is excellent, much of the material transferred from original metal parts and given first-class treatment, though even that is sort of second-hand -- this set utilizes the same masters prepared by ace reissue producer Nick Shaffran for an even better Autry three-CD reissue done for mail-order release. ~ Bruce Eder Though music journalists may tout Hank Williams and Johnny Cash, the fact remains that Gene Autry was one of the most popular and commercially successful country stars of the 20th century. While a large part of Autry's impact was due to his film, television, and radio careers, his music was innovative in its own right. Mixing country song structures and a healthy dose of hillbilly twang with the polished sound of Western music (characterized by a crooning vocal approach), Autry drove a rural musical form straight into the mainstream. THE ESSENTIAL GENE AUTRY, Columbia's excellent two-disc overview of his output, brings together everything listeners need to know about the Singing Cowboy. The set kicks off with 1939's "Back in the Saddle Again," going on to encompass well-known Autry originals ("The Yellow Rose of Texas"), early radio pop ("You Are My Sunshine"), American folk classics ("Goodnight Irene"), Western anthems ("Jingle Jangle Jingle"), and traditional songs ("On Top of Old Smokey"). Some of the tunes here date back to the early '30s and continue through to the early '50s, while holiday ditties like "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" (which he turned into one of the top-grossing singles of all time) are also present. Autry's clear tenor, strong arrangements, and wholesome appeal shine through on this definitive set.

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