The Essential Tammy Wynette (CD - 2004)

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.

Recording information: 09/07/1966-12/15/1975.

Photographers: Don Hunstein; Norman Seeff; Mick Rock ; Harry Langdon; Sandy Speiser.

There have been numerous Tammy Wynette compilations over the years, but Epic/Legacy's 2004 collection The Essential Tammy Wynette is one of the best. Since she had so many hits, it's inevitable that any 14-track collection will have some omissions, and there are notable songs missing here, including number one hits like "Good Lovin' (Makes It Right)." That said, this does contain her biggest hits from 1966-1976 -- "Apartment No. 9," "Your Good Girl's Gonna Go Bad," "I Don't Wanna Play House," "D-I-V-O-R-C-E," "Stand by Your Man," as well as her duet with David Houston on "My Elusive Dreams" plus one song with George Jones, "Take Me." With 20 songs Anniversary covers more territory and 16 Biggest Hits has a higher concentration of hits, but Essential has a sharp selection of hits and duets that arguably makes it a better introduction, even though it's hard to go wrong with any of these three excellent discs. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

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. minimize