These aren't rerecordings. It's the original 1982 Warner album, remastered with liner notes. This was Anderson's biggest Warner album, (Seminole Wind was his biggest on RCA). The sticker says this will be available for a limited time only, which is bad news for Anderson fans who want his entire Warner catalog reissued. So, snap this up before it's gone. And hope another Record Company reissues Anderson's Warner catalog (and his RCA one too).
I had most of these songs on other John Anderson CDs, but my favorite song on this CD was available in this version in no other place. That song is "Long Black Veil". It is a great song and I have versions from other artists including John Anderson. This particular version with Merle Haggard helping out, is my favorite version and the reason I purchased this particular CD. I had it in cassette tape format when it was first released but it has long since gone the way of all cassette tapes.
The John Anderson album "Wild and Blue" is, in my opinion, his best. This is the album where you will find one of his greatest hits (perhaps his first also) "Swingin'". But it certainly doesn't end there. Each song on this album is a worthy listen, no throw outs here. It's hard to pick out a favorite, but his version of "The Long Black Veil" is a stand out among all the many artists who have also recorded this 1959 classic. Of course he has the advantage of having Merle Haggard in a "Special ghost appearance" (as described on the album jacket) during the first chorus. Emmylou Harris also makes a guest appearance on "The Waltz You Saved For Me". "Goin' Down Hill" is another catchy tune that I imagine most of us (especially guys) can relate to. If you've ever met a girl that you just couldn't get off your mind and would do anything for...........well, I think you might just crack a smile over this one. The only reason I did not give this five stars is simply because this is not my favorite genre of music, but I am certainly an advocate of variety being the spice of life. Although he did not write most of the songs, as Randy J. might say on AI, "you made it your own dawg, ruff ruff". HaHa, Enoy!
