Patsy Cline Album: “Patsy Cline Story”

Patsy set the standard for female country singers, with many of those that followed trying (or so it seemed) to be the next Patsy Cline - even today, forty years after her death in a plane crash. All but one of Patsy's classic songs can be found on this collection. Crazy was a top ten pop hit in America and (in 1990) a top twenty hit in Britain. Heartaches was Patsy's first American top forty pop hit. Don Gibson wrote Sweet dreams and had a big country hit with it, but once Patsy recorded it, it became much more popular and will be forever thought of as a Patsy Cline song. She's got you was an American top twenty pop hit and was also Patsy's first British hit, albeit only a minor one I fall to pieces was yet another top twenty pop hit in America. Walking after midnight is the song that began it all for Patsy in the fifties. Poor man's roses, Back in baby's arms and Leaving on your mind are other Patsy classics included here. The only serious omission is Faded love, a cover of a Bob Wills song that, like Sweet dreams, is regarded as a Patsy Cline classic despite being a cover.

Adequate compensation for the omission of Faded love is provided via Patsy's fine interpretations of Your cheating heart (Hank Williams), I love you so much it hurts (Eddy Arnold), Wayward wind (Gogi Grant), South of the border (Gene Autry), True Love (Bing Crosby), San Antonio rose (Bob Wills), You belong to me (Jo Stafford) and many other fine songs.

Prior to 2004, this compilation was arguably the strongest single CD of Patsy's music available despite the omission of Faded love. With the release of Definitive collection in 2004, I now recommend that collection instead. It only contains 22 tracks instead of the 25 here but there are no serious omissions and everything there has been digitally re-mastered.

I have never been a country and western fan, but I recently stumbled across this cd and was amazed at the clarity and fullness of Patsy Cline. She is a rare artist that transcends music genres. This Owen Bradley production surrounds her strong voice with lush instruments and horns, and lets you drown in the words and thoughts of many of country's best songwriters. This is an album you buy because you appreciate good music. Quite frankly, I'm embarrassed I didn't appreciate her sound years ago after hearing this album.

If you can only buy ONE Patsy Cline Album, this may be the one! Many of her hits are here including Crazy, Walkin' After Midnight, Sweet Dreams, etc. This is far superior than her greatest hits collection which contains 12 songs while this album contains 24. I was NEVER a fan of her until I actually sat down and listened to this album. Also, an excellent addition to this may be the Patsy Cline, A Standards Collection. This standards album contains some great performances including Always and You Made Me Love You. Always is the definitive example of a master of vocal control. I must add that I am NOT a fan of country music, however Patsy rises above the pack!

My hubby and a friend were both lamenting the demise of cassette tapes...yes, cassettes. So, I went to Amazon and bought them each a copy of "The Patsy Cline Story", which seemed to be the main reason they missed CDs in the first place. They have been listening to it almost non-stop since it arrived. HUGE HIT and I'm an angel. Can't beat that!

This is the one to get for your collection. Sheer enjoyment! A great talent captured here to be enjoyed over and over again. If only we could have comparable contemporary talent. The nuisances and song interpretations are subtle, yet outstanding!