Search - Wynn Stewart :: The Very Best of Wynn Stewart 1958-62

Stellar intro to a primary architect of the west coast sound

hyperbolium | Earth, USA | 06/25/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Along with Buck Owens and Merle Haggard, Wynn Stewart shares credit for creating the west coast country sound. Harder hitting than the direction Nashville was taking at the time, and with some sting in the electric guitars, the west coast sound planted the seeds for later country-rock marriages and any number of alt.country roots revivals. Bakersfield contemporaries (including Owens and Haggard), as well as Dwight Yoakam, k.d. lang, Nick Lowe and Roger Wallace have all taken cues from Stewart.Stewart's sound, especially his singing, had a drama that neither Owens or Haggard matched. From his earliest rockabilly work (represented here by 1958's "Come On") to fiddle-and-harmony driven weepers ("How the Other Half Lives," a duet with Jan Howard, "Wishful Thinking," and others), and country pop ("Above and Beyond (The Call of Love)" - a hit for Buck Owens on the tails of this original waxing), Stewart ranges over a variety of styles and emotions with incredible ease.Though his chart success was sporadic, the brilliance of his recordings were anything but. The tracks here represent only a sampling (but a well-picked sampling) of the riches in his catalog. Selected from a five year period ('58-'62) during which he recorded for Challenge and Jackpot, these eighteen cuts serve as an excellent (and affordable) introduction to Stewart's work. Newly penned liner notes and vintage photos provide a brief biography. For the full story (including his later #1 hit, "It's Such a Pretty World Today," and a comprehensive biography), Bear Family's 10-disc, career complete, "Wishful Thinking" box set is the ticket.Single disc or box set, Stewart's music is essential listening for anyone interested in honky-tonk and the west coast country sound."

What A Voice

Steve Kuykendall | Pasadena, TX United States | 08/08/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"One country music's best voices. Wynn is in the roll call with Lefty, George Jones, and Merle. He also laid the chunk for the Bakersfield sound. A few songs into this CD and you'll know where Merle and Buck got their major influence. I can't wait for the best of '63 through '75."

Good old country!

jason gilmour | Toronto, Ontario | 07/29/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is a pretty solid little record that serves as a good intro to the music of Wynn Stewart. The songs are all top-notch old school country that would sound right at home in a little smoke-filled bar. The production is a little slick on some of the tracks giving them a less gritty, pop feel. However, the song "Come On" is a great rock-a-billy stomper and "Wishful Thinking" will have you cryin' out to a long lost love! This CD is a great addition to a classic country fan's music collection and is right at home with stuff like Faron Young and Johnny Cash."