Published on Jul 16, 1999
Country’s Ronnie Milsap was a very popular favorite artist, with
his simple country tunes. This
Greatest Hits compilation is considered “Volume 1”, as it
features 9 great songs that were very popular in the beginning of
Milsap’s career. Eight of the nine songs all hit number 1 on the
Country charts.
“I’d Be A Legend In My Time” takes me back to The Monkees’
Michael Nesmith, when Nesmith branched into the country area after
he left The Monkees. In fact, Milsap’s vocals does have a similar
resemblance to Nesmith’s as I listen to this song.
“(I’m A) Stand By My Woman Man” has to be Milsap’s male version
of the late Tammy Wynette’s “Stand By Your Man”. “Pure Love” is a
great bouncy country tune, as is “Daydreams About Night
Things”.
One area of Milsap’s music are his great slow ballads. “It Was
Almost Like A Song” is just a great beautiful song, featuring his
piano playing. As a blind performer, most performers of this kind
have one thing in common: They all played piano/keyboards – Ray
Charles and Stevie Wonder, to name a few.
And then there’s “Smoky Mountain Rain,” one of my favorite
all-time Milsap tunes. “Please Don’t Tell Me How The Story Ends”
and “Back On My Mind Again” are two unfamiliar Milsap songs to me,
but like the rest, they are good country tunes. At first, when I
started listening to “Back On My Mind Again,” the main verses
almost sounds like The Beatles’ “Octopus’ Garden”, yet this song
also has a resemblance to Randy Travis’ “Forever And Amen”. Ending
the album is another great Milsap song, “What A Difference You’ve
Made In My Life”.
I’ll have to admit: Today’s country is so different compared to
an artist such as Ronnie Milsap. His music defines true country;
this was the sound of the country style back in the 1970s, where
this collection was based. I think you’d agree if you listen to
this album and compare it to the 1990s country, there is a huge
difference.
Ronnie Milsap is a true country artist. His music is just great
to listen to. His
Greatest Hits compilations are a great place to start.
(Editor’s note: The original vinyl version of Greatest Hits
also contains “Let’s Take The Long Way Around The World” –
which, inexplicably, was left off the CD.)