Marty Robbins › The Essential Marty Robbins

Although Marty Robbins is one of the most legendary figures in the history of country music, his recorded output was never confined to one genre. In fact, his albums incorporated such diverse influences as pop, jazz, early rock 'n' roll, cowboy songs and then-exotic world music from the Hawaiian islands. Throughout the 1950's, Robbins was one of Columbia Records' biggest-selling pop stars, penning such hits as "A White Sport Coat (And A Pink Carnation)" - one of the defining songs of the decade. With 1959's Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs, Robbins also proved himself one of Nashville's premier talents, bringing authentic western music into the mainstream. Throughout the following 20-plus years, Robbins was rarely off the charts, scoring many top ten and number one hits until his untimely death in 1982. The Essential Marty Robbins is a definitive 2-CD overview of Marty's 30-year recording career - from his early hits on Columbia all the way to his MCA hits and back again - a true monument to this musical giant.

Personnel: Marty Robbins (vocals, piano); Tony Mottola, Jimmy Rollins (guitar); Johnny Gimble (fiddle); Dick Hyman, Floyd Cramer, Owen Bradley, Hargus "Pig" Robbins (piano); Jerry Byrd (bass guitar).

One of the most versatile artists in country-music history, Marty Robbins covered a wide range of styles over his three decades of recording. Robbins's earliest 1950s singles veered from pop to rockabilly to straight-up country, building up momentum that truly kicked in with 1957's breezy "A White Sport Coat (And a Pink Carnation)." This country/pop crossover hit marked one of Robbins's first outings with arranger Ray Conniff, a collaboration that would yield numerous successful singles.

Columbia/Legacy's THE ESSENTIAL MARTY ROBBINS surveys the crooner's '50s/'60s heyday, including the aforementioned song and his beloved forays into gritty Western territory, most notably the runaway hit "El Paso," a classic gun-slinging tale of ill-fated romance, and "Big Iron," a suspenseful recounting of an impending showdown. The collection follows Robbins through the '70s and into the early '80s, his smooth, clear vocals always at the fore. Although it shares many tracks with the similarly titled THE ESSENTIAL MARTY ROBBINS: 1951-1982, this two-disc compilation focuses more on Robbins's later years (including his posthumous hit--the lush, sweeping "Honkytonk Man"). Those looking for the most even-handed overview of Robbins's career will find it here.

Genre:

• Country & Bluegrass

Music Categories:

• Oldies: Rock 'N' Roll