Ultimate Ronnie Milsap

In the past couple of years, there have been some good single disc Ronnie Milsap retrospectives released, including 1995's 20-track Essential Ronnie Milsap and 2001's 16-track RCA Country Legends. This 23-track chronologically arranged set surpasses both, to become the best single disc available on one of country music's all-time greatest artists.

The set contains hits Milsap recorded for RCA between 1974 and 1989. During that 15-year period, no one else hit the top of the charts as often (40 times) - or even came close. It's a testament to the diversity of Milsap's vocal and song-selecting talents.

Those diverse classics include pure pop ("Pure Love," "Smokey Mountain Rain"), polished honkytonkers ("Daydreams About Night Things," "I'm A Stand By My Woman Man,"), stone country weepers ("Please Don't Tell Me How The Story Ends," "Am I Losing You"), bluesy scorchers ("Stranger In My House"), and adult...Read more

This is an excellent disc for anyone wanting the bulk of Ronnie Milsap's hits. Granted, many songs are left off, but what is contained here is a great collection for folks just starting to listen to Milsap and for longtime fans who want something to throw on that plays consistent hit after hit. Milsap was an honest crossover country and AC star who didn't compromise his sound in the hopes to make more money like most contemporary country stars do these days (Faith Hill, Mr. Faith Hill, Kenny Chesney, Martina McBride, etc.). Instead, Milsap managed to craft together songs that were at times hardcore honky-tonk and at other times pure love songs. Also, throw in the fact that Milsap was blind and probably the best piano player of his day and you have to give him credit for his accomplishments.

This set includes the wonderful "Pure Love," "Daydreams About Night Things," and "I Wouldn't Have Missed It For The World." My personal favorites are "Stranger In My House" and...Read more

Ronnie Milsap has so many great songs that you can't fit them all on one disc, but RCA actually did a really good job on choosing which ones to put on here. I miss "She Keeps the Home Fires Burning" and "All Is Fair In Love and War" not being on here, but with 22 songs, I can't complain. Every single song is heartfelt and enjoyable, and there are even a few that are sad enough to bring tears to your eyes. The only other two people that can do ballads as good as Ronnie Milsap are Lionel Richie and John Lennon. If you're debating between getting this one or the Essential disc, get this one. Essential leaves off his earlier classics, so songs like "Smokey Mountain Rain," "It Was Almost Like A Song," "Am I Losing You," and "Please Don't Tell Me How The Story Ends," aren't included on it. ...Oh, and it doesn't sound like a homemade copy like that one reviewer said. The sound quality is excellent. I highly recommend getting this compilation if you can't get a good deal on his 40 #1 hits.