Search - Sweethearts of the Rodeo :: Anthology

Brief stardom for rocking country sisters

Peter Durward Harris | Leicester England | 04/18/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Janis and Kristine Oliver began singing as a duo in 1973 but it was not until 1986 that they hit big. Though their music was firmly rooted in tradition, they managed to give it enough of a contemporary edge so that they could appeal to a wider audience. Back then, Janis was married to Vince Gill. By the time that Vince reached his own peak, the Sweethearts of the rodeo were already past their commercial peak, though they continued to record excellent albums.This anthology covers their peak commercial years, including all their hits. Their biggest hits were Since I found you, Midnight girl sunset town, Satisfy you, Blue to the bone and a sensational cover of the Beatles classic I feel fine. The other tracks here include many fine original songs, plus a cover of the Everly Brothers classic, So sad to watch good love go bad.Janis and Kristine could sing ballads, but what they really liked to do was rock. This is good time country music at its best. Although this particular collection is no longer available, most of the tracks here were taken from their first two albums, which have been re-issued as a twofer. As I write this, that twofer is still available."

MOST UNDER-APPRECIATED DUO

Christopher P. Smoot | High Point, North Carolina | 07/07/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Sweethearts of the Rodeo were a great sister duo of the late 80's and early to mid 90's that were often overlooked and ignored by the country music industry in favor of the Judds. It all started in 1986 with their self titled first album. "Midnight Girl/Sunset Town" became the first single from the Sweethearts and earned them their first top ten. Other singles from the album, "Hey Doll Baby", "Since I Found You" also cracked the top ten. But it was "Chains of Gold" that would be the Sweethearts first and only top five single. The Sweethearts of the Rodeo released a second album "One Time, One Night" and enjoyed several top ten releases including "Satisfy You", "Blue to the Bone" as well as a cover of the Everly Brothers "I Feel Fine". Riding high on the momentum of two hit albums, the Sweethearts released their 3rd album "Buffalo Zone" and the first single "This Heart"--which peaked at #28. No other singles were released from this album and radio airplay became a thing of the past for the Sweethearts. It's a shame great duo's such as this great sister act are no longer part of the country music scene. This CD is chocked full of all their hits that I previously mentioned, plus many, many more. Great album from a much missed duo!"