Combining elements of pop and country in a progressive style, Michael Martin Murphy was among the most popular singer-songwriters of the 70's and 80's. This collection of his best from that era includes the hits "Wildfire", "Carolina In The Pines" and " What's Forever For".

Personnel includes: Michael Martin Murphey (vocals, acoustic guitar); John Hug, Paul Worley (acoustic & electric guitars); Fred Tackett, Mark Casstevens (acoustic guitar); Steve Gibson, James Burton, Josh Leo (guitar); Jay Dee Maness, Sonny Garrish (steel guitar); Bobby Hicks, John Hickman (banjo); Nashville String Machine, Louis Pyrtle (fiddle); Bryan Cumming (saxophone); Mitch Humphries, David Innis (keyboards); Dave McDaniel, Michael Rhodes, David Hungate (bass); Eddie Bayers, Michael Botts, Buzz Buchanan (drums); Don Gant, Joey Scarbury, Linda Dillard, Dennis Burnside, Denny Brooks, Chris Montan, Tom Brannon, Phil Forrest, Sheri Huffman, Jeff Hanna, Diana Tidwell (background vocals).

Engineers: Eric Prestidge, Marshall Morgan, Scott Hendricks.

The 12 songs that make up Capitol's The Best of Michael Martin Murphey compilation are a perfect initiation for those who want a taste of Murphey's biggest hits on both sides of the charts. The tracks are divvied up appropriately, with his earlier "cosmic cowboy" era represented by hits like "Carolina in the Pines," "Geronimo's Cadillac," "Cherokee Fiddle" (from Urban Cowboy), and "Wildfire," his most renowned single. Five other tracks make up some of Murphey's biggest country singles of the early '80s, with "Don't Count the Rainy Days," "What She Wants," and "Still Taking Chances" all making the Top Ten on the country charts. "What's Forever For" gave Murphey his first number one single on the country side, while it went all the way to number 19 on the pop charts at the same time. Both "Disenchanted" and "Radio Land" could have been replaced with more familiar singles, but even so, this set is an inexpensive and satisfying route for exploring both sides of Michael Martin Murphey's material. ~ Mike DeGagne

Genre:

• Country & Bluegrass

Product Groupings:

• Collectables Records - Audio CDs