Various Artists – GREATEST EVER COUNTRY ROCK – CD review

Various Artists
GREATEST EVER COUNTRY ROCK
Greatest Ever

It’s actually quite an achievment to compile a three disc, fifty four track compilation of country rock, and manage to end up with something that bears so little relation to country rock. So hat tipped to the compilers for a remarkable job. For sure, the odd tune slips in by accident, but it’s mainly a mixture of Americana, mainstream country, and a couple of bonkers tunes that make no sense whatsoever.

Hank Williams Jr., Poco, The Flying Burrito Brothers, Pure Prairie League and New Riders of the Purple Sage all make appearances, but that’s about it if you’re looking for some proper country rock. However, if you’re an alt-country fan, then you’re well served with tunes by Justin Townes Earle, Gore Gore Girls, Waco Brothers and others. Mainstream fans will find a handful of numbers by Jim Stafford, The Bellamy Brothers and Crystal Gayle, and nutters will be amazed at outings by Ron Sexsmith, Marianne Faithfull and Scott Walker. Now, they might have got away with the latter, if it had been something from his “Stretch” album, but they’ve went for ‘The Lady Came from Baltimore’ from his solo debut.

There are also some sixties pop songs from Sir Douglas Quintet and The Youngbloods, and singer / songwriters like Jim Croce and John Mellencamp, alongside Nashville mainstreamers like The Judds and Sawyer Brown. But it’s a fruitless hunt if you’re looking for the Ozark Mountain Daredevils, The Amazing Rhythm Aces, The Marshall Tucker Band or any of the other big hitting country rock acts, never mind the lesser lights. As a budget entry compilation it’s not bad, but it certainly does not do what it says on the tin.

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You won’t find this on the album;