Search - Bobby Goldsboro :: Absolutely the Best

Brilliant pop singer of the sixties and seventies

Peter Durward Harris | Leicester England | 06/13/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Bobby was never a prolific hit-maker but he wrote and recorded plenty of great songs. Most of the best songs are included in this wonderful compilation, which primarily focuses on his American hits.



Bobby's biggest hit came with a song he didn't write - Honey, a song that many people have strong opinions about. Honey made number one in the American pop and country charts in 1968. It also made number two in the UK pop charts that year. Re-released in the UK in 1975, Honey again made number two. Many singers have covered this song but the strangest cover is that by Tammy Wynette, who adapted the lyrics, taking the role of the woman who died in the song and singing from beyond the grave, even apologizing for dying.



Bobby's first American hit came in 1964 when he made the top ten with See the funny little clown. Apart from Honey, he never again made the American top ten though he came close with Little things (a UK top five hit for Dave Berry) and Watching Scotty grow. His other American top forty hits were Summer the first time (which made the UK top ten for Bobby), Autumn of my life, Voodoo woman (different from Bobby's usual mellow style - this one has an R+B feel to it), Whenever he holds you, It's too late, The straight life and Blue autumn. Bobby had other American hits that didn't make the top forty including With pen in hand (written by Bobby but it had previously been a hit for both Billy Vera and Vikki Carr), And I love you so (a cover of a Don McLean song that gave Perry Como a major international hit) and I'm a drifter. The compilation is completed by Bobby's cover of I am a rock (Simon and Garfunkel).



This compilation does not contain every Bobby Goldsboro song worth having. For example, it omits Hello summertime (a UK top twenty hit) and Cowboy and the lady (covered by Dolly Parton as Cowgirl and the Dandy for her album, Here you come again). Nevertheless, this is a very strong compilation of Bobby's music.



It is worth noting (in case you're tempted by a track listing of a rival compilation) that some compilations contain inferior re-recordings I do not mind re-recordings as such, but with Bobby's music, it is wise to stick with the originals. If you only want one compilation of Bobby's original recordings, this is the one to choose. If you decide to buy a different compilation, make sure that you know what you're buying."

Excellent

Kutztown Jim | Kutztown, PA USA | 01/07/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I really enjoyed this disc. Bobby Goldsboro is best known for "Honey" but I like some of the lesser known songs even more. I rate 7 of the 15 songs as very good or excellent. My favorites are "I'm A Drifter" and "Autumn Of My Life".



If you like "Honey" but don't know many of the other songs, you won't be disappointed with this disc."

Quintissential Bobby Goldsboro

Jerry L. Doherty | Western Iowa | 07/03/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Speaking of the trip down Memory Lane - this is it. Bobby's voice,in pure form,will bring the past alive for you."