Don Gibson was a country singer and songwriter, whose influence and impact was achieved not only through his own hit singles, but also those by other artists who recorded his songs. He came to prominence in the mid-1950s, so was not part of the honky-tonk tradition that was established in the immediate post-war decade, his music having a more modern and contemporary flavour, occasionally transcending the divide between country and mainstream pop and rock n roll.

Perhaps his best-known song was I Cant Stop Lovin You, a No. 7 hit for him in 1958, but a worldwide No. 1 for Ray Charles a few years later. His first country No. 1 Oh Lonesome Me, was also a pop hit for other artists in both the USA and UK. His US No.2 Sea Of Heartbreak was a UK pop hit in 1961. This great value 58-track 2-CD collection comprises all his A & B sides for Columbia, MGM and RCA during the decade from 1952-62, and includes more than 20 country and pop chart entries, among them the No. 1s Oh Lonesome Me and Blue Blue Day. Its a fine showcase for his distinctive talent.

REVIEWS

"More then the sum total of country crossover... Though his voice lacked the quality to make him a superstar, there is much here to recommend in this compilation " - Bryan Chalker (Country Music)