From the Vault...

10/16/2011
#1277

info
Kitty Wells
"The Best Of Kitty Wells: The Millennium Collection"


© MCA/Decca Records
Rating:

track listing
  • It Wasn't God Who Made
    Honky Tonk Angels
  • Release Me
  • One By One
  • Makin' Believe
  • As Long As I Live
  • Searching
    (For Someone
    Like You)
  • I Can't Stop Loving You
  • Mommy For A Day
  • Amigo's Guitar
  • Heartbreak U.S.A.
  • Will Your Lawyer Talk To God
  • You Don't Hear

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    Kitty Wells related sites:
    Kitty Wells Website
    Wikipedia
    Previous Review: #1276
    Daryl Hall & John Oates--Private Eyes
    Next Review: #1278
    Elvis Presley--Great Country Songs
    Kitty Wells
    "The Best Of Kitty Wells: The Millennium Collection"



    Kitty Wells, who is often fondly hailed as "The Queen Of Country Music," began her rise to prominence while the genre was primiarily a man's world steeped in the barroom ballads of honky-tonk heroes.
    From the liner notes of The Best Of Kitty Wells: The Millennium Collection



    Kitty Wells had only 2 number one Country hits -- "Heartbreak U.S.A." and her most famous hit, "It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels." Yet her music and talent made her one of the most popular early female singers in Country history. I, myself, didn't remember her music that well as others while growing up. Probably my first female Country singer to mind would be Patsy Cline, followed by Loretta Lynn.


    As the popularity of "It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels," Country artist Hank Thompson recorded an "answer song," entitled "The Wild Side Of Life." One of the lyrics in Thompson's song was the title of Kelly Wells' famous tune. Thompson's song, just as Kitty Wells, reached #1 on the Country chart.


    "Release Me" may have been most famous in the 1970s by Engelbert Humperdinck. Kitty Wells' version here is definitely a great tune, in the traditional Country style. There are two duets on this compilation, both with Country legend Red Foley. "One By One" is a great Country-sounding song, just as the other duet, "As Long As I Live." (Truthfully, I enjoyed "One By One" better.


    "Searching (For Someone Like You)" is heartfelt, it's your typical Country-lyric song -- one of the topics being of loneliness, and trying to find someone (who's probably most likely already taken). "I Can't Stop Loving You" is the famous version that were most remembered by either Ray Charles or Conway Twitty. "Mommy For A Song" has the melody of "Hello Vietnam" by Johnny Wright. Of course, the lyrics of both songs are completely different. "Amigo's Guitar" is another good, pleasant tune.


    Now THIS songtitle sounds like a Country song -- "Will Your Lawyer Talk To God." We all know Country songs (likewise the the Country artists who sang them) had their troubles with the law. No doubt, a good lawyer would help them out, and in some cases, the Good Lord just might be listening. All in all, this song is definitely a good one. "You Won't Hear" closes out this (only) 12-track compilation.


    Only 12 songs -- it seems you want to hear more, especially for the true Kitty Wells fan. Of course, there are other compilations. The 20th Century Masters compilation reviewed here is just a sampling of those who are introduced to Kitty Wells' music. 12 songs really isn't enough here, but it's still a good assortment of her well-known songs and more.


    Kitty Wells is still alive today. She is currently 92 years old. She retired in the year 2000.


    UPDATE: Kitty Wells passed away on July 16, 2012, from compications of a stroke. She was 92.


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    Previous Review: #1276
    Daryl Hall & John Oates--Private Eyes
    Next Review: #1278
    Elvis Presley--Great Country Songs