Kenny Rogers Album: “42 Ultimate Hits”

I wanted a good collection of Kenny Rogers music to use for my DJ service. The only disc that I had was full of lousy re-recordings. In my mind, if they are not the original recordings that actually became hits, then they are worthless to me. I read all of the mixed reviews here on Amazon regarding this collection, but decided to take a risk and purchase it. I have listened to the full collection 3 times in full. Many reviewers are saying that this collection is full of re-recordings, but that is not true. These ARE the original hit recordings. This is a great, quality collection. Yes, the first 5 tracks are Kenny Rogers & The First Edition- but the package states that they are. Besides, he made those particular songs hits when he WAS with The First Edition. Those ARE the originals. You won't find a better Kenny Rogers collection out there; believe me- I've searched. The only things that could have made this collection better, are if they would have given us Kenny's solo version of Ruben James ALSO, along with the First Edition version. They also could have left off the last song on the 2nd CD. It's a new one called "We Are The Same", and it's a real stinker. The last thing that could have made this collection even better, is if it could have also included the beautiful song "I Can't Un-Love You"....but it didn't even exist at the time that this collection was released, so that wouldn't have been possible.

This collection traces Kenny's music from his hits with the First Edition up to his comeback with Buy me a rose. It does not contain all his hits - there are too many to include in a double CD - but it includes all the classics such as Ruby don't take your love to town, Lucille, The gambler, Coward of the county and Lady. A 4-CD boxed set (Through the years) is available for those who want a more comprehensive collection, though it doesn't contain any of his comeback hits. While a lot of great songs are necessarily missing from this double CD, Love will turn you around (surprisingly omitted from the boxed set) is included.

The collection contains many of Kenny's American country and pop hits of the seventies and eighties, a few of which also made the British pop charts (and all his British hits are included). The set includes five duets with Dottie West (a vastly under-appreciated singer) and one duet each with Kim Carnes (Don't fall in love with a dreamer), Dolly Parton (Islands in the stream), Sheena Easton (We've got tonight) and Ronnie Milsap (Make no mistake she's mine). Among his solo tracks on this CD, you will have your own favorites. Lucille is the song that turned me on to Kenny's music and I still think it's his best - but not by much. I particularly like Scarlet fever and Blaze of glory. Note that Daytime friends is a solo track, not a duet wth Dottie.

If you only want one Kenny Rogers collection and don't want to buy the boxed set, this set is the one to buy. I still get immense pleasure from listening to him, even though I've heard some of the songs hundreds of times.

I really, REALLY wish I hadn't bought this album... though they are close, it seems he's re-recorded a lot of these songs... this isn't what it should be.. one star for not disclosing the songs are altered from what we all bought on 8 track, etc...

New recordings doesn't equal better recordings!

off to find the old stuff...

Putting re-recorded hits on a collection without letting the buyer know is reprehensible. Kenny, I thought you were the "Gambler", not the "Swindler". Boooooo!

this is the first actual KR collection that contains all of his real hits including Just Dropped In and Something's Burning. You can't go wrong with this one.