Ronnie Milsap's Greatest Hits

Ronnie Milsap

RCA Records, 1980

http://ronniemilsap.com

REVIEW BY: Eric E5S16

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED: 07/16/1999

Country's Ronnie Milsap was a very popular favorite artist, with his simple country tunes. This Greatest Hits compilation is considered "Volume 1", as it features 9 great songs that were very popular in the beginning of Milsap's career. Eight of the nine songs all hit number 1 on the Country charts.

"I'd Be A Legend In My Time" takes me back to The Monkees' Michael Nesmith, when Nesmith branched into the country area after he left The Monkees. In fact, Milsap's vocals does have a similar resemblance to Nesmith's as I listen to this song.my_heart_sings_the_harmony_web_ad_alt_250

"(I'm A) Stand By My Woman Man" has to be Milsap's male version of the late Tammy Wynette's "Stand By Your Man". "Pure Love" is a great bouncy country tune, as is "Daydreams About Night Things".

One area of Milsap's music are his great slow ballads. "It Was Almost Like A Song" is just a great beautiful song, featuring his piano playing. As a blind performer, most performers of this kind have one thing in common: They all played piano/keyboards - Ray Charles and Stevie Wonder, to name a few.

And then there's "Smoky Mountain Rain," one of my favorite all-time Milsap tunes. "Please Don't Tell Me How The Story Ends" and "Back On My Mind Again" are two unfamiliar Milsap songs to me, but like the rest, they are good country tunes. At first, when I started listening to "Back On My Mind Again," the main verses almost sounds like The Beatles' "Octopus' Garden", yet this song also has a resemblance to Randy Travis' "Forever And Amen". Ending the album is another great Milsap song, "What A Difference You've Made In My Life".

I'll have to admit: Today's country is so different compared to an artist such as Ronnie Milsap. His music defines true country; this was the sound of the country style back in the 1970s, where this collection was based. I think you'd agree if you listen to this album and compare it to the 1990s country, there is a huge difference.

Ronnie Milsap is a true country artist. His music is just great to listen to. His Greatest Hits compilations are a great place to start.

(Editor's note: The original vinyl version of Greatest Hits also contains "Let's Take The Long Way Around The World" - which, inexplicably, was left off the CD.)

Rating: A

User Rating: Not Yet Rated


Comments

Ronnie Milsap songs are as comfortable as a Crackle Barrel front porch rocking chair. No flash. No special effects. No studio trickery. That stuff just isn't necessary.

Ronnie sings from a different country era, sure, but good stuff never goes out of style.
 








© 1999 Eric E5S16 and The Daily Vault. All rights reserved. Review or any portion may not be reproduced without written permission. Cover art is the intellectual property of RCA Records, and is used for informational purposes only.