Disco de Reba McEntire: “#1's”

Reba hit #1 last year with "Somebody", exactly 22 years after her first #1 "Can't Even Get The Blues". This collection celebrates her #1 hits, and other big hits. Only 22 of the 33 hits here hit #1, which is still an impressive feat. The other songs were near misses to the #1 slot. There are two new songs, including the moving ballad "You're Gonna Be" about a mother's love for her child, and the uptempo "Love Needs a Holiday". Reba has built a career around singing songs about survival, heartbreak, loss, and other themes that touch on emotions. These songs show that range. Overall the best collection for Reba yet...and a must have for any music collection.

Now I must agree to some extent that we really don't need a reminder that Reba is still a viable performer. It's pretty obvious considering her illustrious career. However, I can see why Reba took this route. In a span of 30 years, Reba has gone from being strictly a name familiar to country music fans and has become a household name. Gone are the days of big hair, ridiculous clothing and corny dance sequences, which I honestly found entertaining. What remains is her untarnished vocal ability.....My point is that there are lots of people who do not have a clue about her material and by doing a summary album i.e. #1's, it has allowed her to establish to everyone that she is capable of successfully crossing-over. Furthermore, it gives newbies a chance to get a grasp of what this lady is about. As most people know, nobody can make fluff resonate quite like her. I mean the lady could take a paper cut, sing a song about it and make it a hit. Personally, I think it was wise to let everyone know that she's more than just a simple country girl singer. I imagine it is very hard to span 30 years and still be capable of reaching the platinum mark, so she did what I would do in the same situation. It's not always about being fresh, it's about sales and reaching new fans too. I am excited about the new duets album coming out and her cover of Barbara Mandrell's "Country When Country Wasn't Cool" with Kenny Chesney. I think that Reba #1's successfully kept Reba from falling out of the music industry. I truly believe it will help her to continue her reign as the Queen of Melodramatic Heartbreak, which is what I believe Reba does best......

This was a nice collection of #1 songs which span Reba McEntire's 20 plus years in the country recording industry. Quite a few of them gathered on here are some of her best and more traditional country ballads. While the rest remain to be some of her more recent (like in the last 10 or 12 years or so) counrty pop hits. I personally prefer her more tradionally country ballads which were big hits in the 1980's and early 90's. Though that's not to say that I dislike the more pop-oriented songs on here or anything. They're definitely uplifting and catchy, and Reba's vocals on them are excellent as they almost always are : ) Overall, I highly suggest this thorough double-disc collection for Reba's many die-hard fans out there as it may very well be her single best "Best of" release to date.

I enjoy all types of music, but seldom care to buy a CD just for one or 2 songs. There is no denying Reba's talent or long time staying power in her music career. I preferred buying "A best" album because it has the variety of themes and rhythms and is more enjoyable listening. Sometimes a CD only has a favorite or two on it, and the similarity of an artist's voice range and enunciation then becomes tiresome. Not so with one of her "best Collections."

This is a great collection, even though it's misleading, of Reba's hits. Not all of these songs went to #1. An impressive 22 of these songs did however. This is a really comprehensive collection of Reba's MCA hits. I don't like how the new tracks are placed at the beginning of each disc, but it's just a minor complaint. Everything from emotional ballads like "Whoever's In New England", "Somebody Should Leave", "You Lie", "Rumor Has It", "It's Your Call", "For My Broken Heart", "And Still" and "What Do You Say", to uptempo tracks like "The Fear of Being Alone", "Little Rock", "Walk On", and more. Definately worth having in your music collection!