21 Number Ones

Description

Product Description This retrospective album features 21 of Kenny Rogers' #1 hits collected on one CD, (plus a #2 charting bonus track). 78 minutes of digitally re-mastered music. Also includes "Islands in the Stream," (with Dolly Parton)-named greatest Country duet by CMT. desertcart.com The gravel-and-grits voice of Kenny Rogers ultimately came to define the "Urban Cowboy" era of pop excess, even as the earlier "Lucille" and "The Gambler" were some of the most galvanizing story songs in country music's history. Looking back at this body of hits, it's easy to poke fun at the treacley "You Decorated My Life" or wince at the cheesy string arrangements on "Through the Years." It's also natural to wish Rogers had never heard of Sheena Easton, his misguided duet partner on "We've Got Tonight," and recorded more with the soulful, sad Dottie West ("Every Time Two Fools Collide") and the randy Dolly Parton ("Islands in the Stream"). (A bonus track, "Don't Fall in Love with a Dreamer," pairs him with old pal Kim Carnes.) As the years went by, Rogers got fatter, lazier, and more content to make crappy TV movies and wallow in the flaccid sentimentality of adult contemporary pop ("Buy Me a Rose"). He also got smug--the worst of sins for a man in his business. But behind the microphone, he always knew how to make even the hoariest of lyrics resonate with feeling. And at his peak, he was the perfect male country superstar, equal parts swagger and sweet, sweet promise. --Alanna Nash Review: Excellent music!!! - Excellent music of all time and if you haven’t heard this cd you are missing the best music. Review: This single CD overview of the late Kenny Rogers' classics and duets is outstanding! - Spanning nearly 80 minutes of total playtime and containing a wide array of his finest songs, this 2006 release of 21 Number Ones Hits by the late, legendary hitmaker Kenny Rogers is one of the BEST single disc compilations to own! Not only does it have a detailed booklet with a track-by-track commentary featuring Kenny's insights on each song, but also this compelling retrospective contains a bonus track (#22), the very essential #4 pop crossover hit duet with Kim Carnes, called Don't Fall In Love With A Dreamer. Additional duets which added to its appeal were several collaborations with the late Dottie West and the #1 smash duet from 1983 with Dolly Parton, Islands In The Stream, penned by Barry Gibb. Although I don't admire the cover hit of Bob Seger's classic, a duet with Sheena Easton, titled We've Got Tonight, and especially dislike the tepid MOR minor #40 pop hit, Buy Me A Rose, from 2000, the vast majority of these songs are outright gems from the late 70s and 1980's. Well-remastered hits sounded terrific on my CD players, too! Most certainly recommend this for fans or casual listeners alike.