Roy Acuff's The Voice of Country Music LP was a reissue when it was originally released in 1965 since it compiled tracks Acuff had recorded for Capitol in the mid-'50s. The 2002 CD release duplicates the original LP except for the new liner notes by Paul Kingsbury. Some of the most unusual music Acuff ever recorded is here, including novelties ("Sixteen Chickens and a Tambourine") and honky tonk songs (Jimmy Work's "That's What Makes the Juke Box Play"). "Streamline Heartbreaker," a song written but never recorded by the Louvin Brothers, is simply stunning and is the standout track on the album. While not representative of Acuff's typical output, The Voice of Country Music is easily enjoyable, and surprising when compared to Acuff's usual religious and moral music. All of the recordings here are also available on Bear Family's two-CD set The King of Country Music. ~ Greg Adams
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