The Best of Webb Pierce: 20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection

Country Music Hall of Fame. That torch was carried by none other than Eddie Stubbs of WSM Nashville. His relentless devotion to a man he felt so deserved to be in the Hall of Fame is an example of why Eddie Stubbs should be a National Treasure.

But back to Webb Pierce. The FIRST country music performer to put a pedal steel guitar on a recording and forever change the sound of country music. Being able to change octives without changing notes slapped musicians foreheads. His classic recordings are a testiment to true country music and here is how it is done. The CMA is so political it was a farse until more hard liner country music entertainers and performers got on the board. Marty Stuart and Eddie Stubbs are the reason Webb Pierce is now in the Hall of Fame. Too bad it had to be done this way. His voice and his songs should have carried him there while he was still alive.

Real music, real songs by a real singer. If you like REAL country music, I suggest you order a...Read more

...it's only 30 minutes long! That's my biggest criticism about a lot of these "20th Century Masters" collections. This CD should have twice the amount of songs on it as it does. When you've got a genre such as old time country where songs rarely exceed the three minute mark, you've got to put more than a mere 12 tracks on a compilation disc. It's not like the CD is going to run out of room!

Other than that big issue (at least for me) it's a fine CD. Webb is an often overlooked country music superstar and was absolutely HUGE in his day. These songs are among his best, and although I wish there were more (like "Tupelo County Jail" for instance) the ones that are there sound great. I was a DJ at an old time country station a few years back and always put some Webb Pierce on when I was on air.

Webb Pierce, from West Monroe, LA had 84 Billboard hits from 1952 to 1971. This compilation ranges from his original release of "Wondering" to "I Ain't Never", ('59). That particular song peaked at # 2; all the other 11 tracks rose to #1. For some reason, Webb's other #1 song "Even Tho", is excluded here. Webb's career took a slight dip in the 60s, making the CD a useful exposure to his most successful years. Personal favorites are highly subjective, but this reviewer liked "Wondering", "More and More" and that epic drinker's song, "There Stands the Glass". There is also an uncredited "Why Baby Why" duet with the great Woodrow Wilson "Red" Sovine and a nice version of "Slowly". Webb helped write that one. (Some may prefer the Dotty West/Jimmy Dean duet). This is excellent straightforward, no nonsense country music from the 50s. Webb is the real deal. A true compliment to the guy is fact that these tracks spent between 22-37 weeks on the country charts. That is performance! Most...Read more