Search - Statler Brothers :: Gold

Strong Overview of a Legendary Group

James E. Bagley | Sanatoga, PA USA | 04/26/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Statler Brothers racked up fifty-nine country hits between 1965 and 1989. Forty-two of those have been collected for this warmly remastered set that clearly displays the Staunton, Virginia quartet's humor, pet themes, and tent-revival dramatic gifts.



The original line-up - baritone Phillip Balsley, tenor Lew DeWitt, bass singer Harold Reid, and his brother, lead vocalist Don Reid - brought innovative shades of Southern gospel to secular country music. Further, the 1965 Columbia smash ("Flowers on the Wall") established their trademark ability to mask personal desperation with rueful offhand humor.



Teamed with producer/guitar ace Jerry Kennedy at Mercury Records in 1970, the Statler's created their finest work. The best tunes were written by the Reid brothers, whose creative method was remarkably simple. They transformed lists of nostalgic observations ("Do You Remember These?"), romantic declarations ("Nothing As Original As You," "Thank God I've Got You"), and lost loves ("The Official Historian on Shirley Jean Berrell") into compassionate two and three minute playlets. Indeed, their true masterpiece ("Class of `57") masterfully incorporates poignant wit with human tragedy.



When Jimmy Fortune replaced the ailing DeWitt in 1983, he contributed fresh, irony-free material, penning tender romantic odes ("Elizabeth," "My Only Love") that resulted in the group's highest charting hits ("Too Much on My Heart"). Even on these Adult Contemporary-style offerings, the group pleads with down-home gospel conviction and palpable emotion.



This compilation is not as thorough as Mercury's 1994 three-disc set. Subsequently, some early favorites ("Whatever Happened to Randolph Scott")were dropped in favor of comparatively mediocre cover tunes ("Hello Mary Lou," "Only You"). In addition, there are no samples of the band's comedic alter-ego Lester "Roadhog" Moran & the Cadillac Cowboys. Yet, most will deem this two-disc version a satisfying first step into the Statler's enduringly entertaining catalog.

"

Exceeds the Statler High Standard

Jean Nock | 01/10/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This CD doesn't have one song that shouldn't be there. It is the ideal collection of songs over the career of the Statler Brothers. We have played the CD almost every day since receiving it and still enjoy every minute. This is a great buy for the money and is heartly recommended"

Great Compilation

Jess | Coal Country, PA | 11/12/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"42 songs here! This 2-CD Set is a compilation of ORIGINAL Statler Brothers recordings. Noone sang a song like the Statlers, and this Set covers all of the finest songs that they released. Included here are, "Flowers on the Wall", "Do You Know", and "Elizabeth". When I purchased this album, I knew well over 1/2 of the songs, by title alone. But, after listening to both discs, I was pleasantly surprised to realize that I've heard each and every song played regularly on Country Music Radio (back when Country Music was actually played on the radio). Hard to believe that there were that many songs made popular by these guys. Not only is the sound and remastering superb, but a fine set of liner notes is included, providing a detailed history of the quartet. Amazing low price for a tremendous album. A+"