Personnel inlcudes: Tammy Wynette (vocals); George Jones (vocals).
Producers: Billy Sherrill.
Compilation producer: Gregg Geller.
Recorded between 1966 & 1975. Includes liner notes by Holly George-Warren.
This is part of Epic/Legacy's The Essential Collection series.
While THE ESSENTIAL TAMMY WYNETTE covers ground made familiar by numerous other compilations of her work, it's impossible to go wrong with this spot-on collection of 14 country classics. Wynette was the progenitor of the female country sound of the 1960s and '70s, and became known, rightfully, as "The First Lady of Country Music." The blueprint she created--plaintive songs of love and heartache distinguished by the singer's throaty, emotional delivery--is on full display here.
Nine of the singles here hit number one on the country charts, including "I Don't Want to Play House," "D-I-V-O-R-C-E," "The Ways to Love a Man" and, of course, her signature tune, "Stand by Your Man." The set is rounded out by early efforts like the excellent "Apartment #9," the fun, rockabilly-tinged "Your Good Girl's Gonna Go Bad," and "Take Me," her moving duet with then-husband George Jones. There's no filler here; the disc showcases only timeless gems. This ESSENTIAL collection is exactly that--a cornerstone of any country music library.