Search - Kendalls :: The Kendalls - 20 Greatest Hits

Good harmony, upbeat tempo, and a genuine country sound

Kersi Von Zerububbel | San Diego, CA USA | 12/14/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The Kendalls were hot for a brief period in the 1970s. This CD has most of their best work. There is their huge hit, "Pittsburg Steelers", done exceptionally well. I have always had an affinity for this father-daughter team specially the daughter's endearing screech. There are some good numbers here like "Heaven's Just A Sin Away", that make one smile a put a bounce in your step. I thought their versions of "Makin' Believe" and "Leavin' On A Jet Plane" were superb. Some numbers, like "I don't do like that anymore" are flat and sound like fillers. All said, this is a very good CD that I listen to when I am in a mood for some genuine country night club music. If you don't care for the country twang then forget this CD. However, if you like the 'Kentucky sound' and some foot stompin' music rush out and get this CD!!"

The Buoyant Harmonies of the Kendalls

Steve Dossey | 08/16/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"In the 1970's this father/daughter team recorded some of the finest harmonies that rival the Everly Brothers, the Judds, and Tammy and George. Jeannie's voice had that Kentucky backwoods flavor that at times is as strong as Dolly Parton's.Their initial niche in the country top forty charts mined cheating songs. What is amazing is that these songs generally were of such an upbeat and celebratory nature as compared to the guilt or despairing nature usually associated with this topic (back then). Their band had the feel of a very good dance hall group with an emphasis on buoyant rhythms. This collection captures most of their good songs but includes two sixties songs: a Peter, Paul and Mary tune and a Righteous Brothers song which are oddly out of place on this cd. Many finer compositions such as Dark End of the Street or Train of Love could have served in their stead. Of the cd options available currently, this is the most comprehensive. For those that love that good old country music and have a hankering for cheating songs-this is the collection. If you think Garth and Shania and Faith are the end all be all of county music pass this one up."

All their Ovation classics and then some

Peter Durward Harris | Leicester England | 03/27/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Lead singer Jeannie Kendall has a piercing voice that you either love or hate - I love it. Her father, Royce, provided harmony vocals - there were very few genuine duets and none of them are on this collection. Heaven's just a sin away is the song they are best known for. It was a number one country hit and made a creditable showing on the American pop charts. It was their only pop hit but they had many more successes on the country charts. Of the other original songs here, Sweet desire, I'm already blue, You'd make an angel wanna cheat, Pittsburgh stealers. Old fashioned love, Everlasting love (not to be confused with the sixties pop hit of the same title), Don't call me your only sunshine and Heart of the matter are my favorites. This collection also includes great covers of Leaving on a jet plane (the John Denver song made famous by Peter Paul and Mary), You've lost that loving feelinfg (Righteous brothers), Put it off until tomorrow (Dolly Parton), Making believe (Kitty Wells) and Never my love (Association).If you are thinking of buying a Kendalls compilation, there is at least one alternative to consider, 16 greatest hits, which contains the most important 13 tracks of the 20 here (though not necessarily the 13 best), plus three tracks that they recorded for Mercury (Teach me to cheat, If you're waiting on me, Thank God for the radio). The price (as I write this) is higher for fewer tracks. The seven tracks here that aren't on the other compilation are well worth hearing. There are other compilations but some of them may be-re-recordings.If you enjoy traditional country, you will love the good-time music of Kendalls providing you like Jeannie's voice. You then just have to decide which compilation to buy - this one or 16 greatest hits."