Search - Carl Smith :: Best of

For those who want the whole story

Cory L. Schwent | Bloomsdale, MO United States | 04/12/2002

(3 out of 5 stars)

"This is late period Carl Smith. The music quality is outstanding. These are all original recordins. This complements "The Essential" perfectly. On the downside, cheap packaging and cheap notes. Not as bad a release as some want to make you think. All of these songs except 3 made Billboards country chart 1975-1978. This would be a very historical release if not for the budget line packaging. Not a greatest hits package, but definately "The Best of" his Hickory records era."

Late Carl Smith

Jess | Coal Country, PA | 01/11/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Here is the later Carl Smith. While he obviously did not chart as well as he did during the '50's (or even 60's), there is some really fine material here. Unlike many artists who attempted to maintain a 3-decade career, Carl Smith maintained his smooth voice and true Honky-tonk sound. There are a few covers here: Hank's "Lost Highway" and Webb's "There Stands the Glass". But, there is some truly superb Classic Carl here as well, and that makes this a must-have album. Personal favorites include: "If You Dont....", and "A Way with Words". I do have one true criticism, and that's the cheaply packaged Disc with no liner notes or even an abbreviated history of the recordings. Someone (Bear Family????) needs to release his later, post-1960 catalog. For the price, this album cannot be beat."