Floyd Cramer's pop oriented piano style helped make him one of the biggest artists in country music. This collection of his best includes the classic hits "San Antonio Rose" and "Lovesick Blues."

There are literally dozens of Floyd Cramer compilations on the market, far more of them than the actual albums he released during his long tenure as one of Nashville's most in demand sessions players. If only there were a true double-disc comp devoted to his many contributions to the recordings of other artists as well as his own recordings, but that's not likely. This set, issued by BMG, contains a scant ten tracks, but all of them are winners. Cramer's records were always lushly ornate affairs, where his light yet soulful ivory tickling skills were overly adorned by the Nashville Strings (one of label boss Chet Atkins' more dubious contributions to the world of country music). That said, what is here is pretty solid and indicative of the artist as a solo performer. Beautiful readings of Don Gibson's "Sweet Dreams" and Pee Wee King's "Tennessee Waltz" sit alongside fine versions of Hank Williams' "You Win Again" and Gilbert B?caud's "Let It Be Me," played on a Wurlitzer piano no less. The price on this baby is super cheap, and no one who loves Cramer will doubt its worth. ~ Thom Jurek

Genre:

• Country & Bluegrass

Labels:

• Collectables Records

Music Categories:

• Country: Nashville Sound

Product Groupings:

• Clearance CDs
• Collectables Records - Audio CDs

Product Series:

• Bargain Audio CDs & Priceless Collection