Reba #1's (CD - 2005)

Personnel: Reba McEntire; Jerry McPherson, Kenny Greenberg (guitar, electric guitar); Jim Kimball (guitar); Jim Kimball (acoustic guitar); Tammy Rogers King (fiddle); Spady Brannan (bass guitar); Greg Morrow, Tommy Hardon, Tommy Harden (drums); Perry Coleman (background vocals); Bruce Bouton (steel guitar); Jimmy Nichols (piano, background vocals); Doug Sisemore (keyboards); Eric Darken (percussion); Jenifer Wrinkle (background vocals).

Audio Mixer: Derek Bason.

Liner Note Author: Reba McEntire.

Recording information: Starstruck, Nashville, TN.

Photographer: Ron Davis.

With her own her own TV sitcom and a recording career that dates back to the late 1970s, Reba McEntire is undisputedly one of country music's most popular entertainers. Although there have been numerous collections of McEntire's singles, this two-disc set is the first to span more than 20 years of her hits. With the exception of two new recordings (the thoughtful "You're Gonna Be" and the energetic "Love Needs a Holiday," which appear at the beginning of the first and second discs, respectively), this compilation moves chronologically from 1982 to 2005, presenting 35 of Reba's finest moments. Every track benefits from her powerful voice and charming Oklahoma drawl, whether she's easing into the traditional "How Blue" or the pop-tinged "And Still." A well-selected release, #1'S is an excellent overview of Reba's impressive catalog, and is ideal for both newcomers and longtime fans.

It's hard to believe, but 2005's double-disc #1's is the first multi-disc retrospective of Reba McEntire's career, which has had several single-disc sets prior to this. While this, like many similarly titled collections, does not strictly follow the rules set up in its title -- not counting the two new songs that open up each disc here, there are 11 songs among these 35 tracks that did not hit number one in Billboard's country charts -- it's hard to complain about this. After all, #1's includes all of her number one singles, and those 11 hit singles that did not make it to the top spot all were Top Five singles and rank among her best work. Taken together, they make for the best overview of and introduction to McEntire's lengthy, consistent career. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine minimize