Bill Anderson's Greatest Hits Explained

Bill Anderson's Greatest Hits
Type:compilation
Artist:Bill Anderson
Cover:Bill Anderson--Greatest Hits.jpg
Recorded:1959–1966
Studio:
Label:Decca
Producer:Owen Bradley
Prev Title:I Can Do Nothing Alone
Prev Year:1967
Next Title:For Loving You
Next Year:1968

Bill Anderson's Greatest Hits is a compilation album by American country singer-songwriter Bill Anderson. It was released in October 1967 via Decca Records and was produced by Owen Bradley. The album was Anderson's third compilation recording released in his career and first album of greatest hits. Twelve tracks were included on the collection that had been previously released. The album itself also reached major record chart positions.

Background and content

Bill Anderson's Greatest Hits was Anderson's first proper collection of greatest hits. It included a majority of his major hits as a recording artist with the Decca label. All the sessions were produced previously by Owen Bradley between 1959 and 1966. The sessions were held at the Bradley Studios and the Columbia Studios in Nashville, Tennessee.[1] A total of twelve previously-recorded tracks were chosen for the album. All had previously been released as singles and had been major hits. The collection included Anderson's first number one singles, such as "Mama Sang a Song," "Still" and "I Get the Fever." Other major hits featured on the collection included "Po' Folks," "Five Little Fingers," "Golden Guitar" and "Eight by Ten."[1]

Release and reception

Bill Anderson's Greatest Hits was released in October 1967 on Decca Records. It was Anderson's third compilation record released in his music career.[1] The project was issued as a vinyl LP, containing six songs on each side of the record.[2]

The album spent 20 weeks on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart before peaking at number six in December 1967.[3] Bill Anderson's Greatest Hits was his eighth album to reach the Billboard country chart and second compilation to reach the chart.[4] Billboard magazine reviewed the project favorable in its 1967 October 1967 issue. "Bill Anderson has packaged his biggest hits for a sure-fire seller," writers commented.[5] In later years Allmusic also reviewed the album favorably, giving it 4.5 out of 5 possible stars. Reviewer Stephen Thomas Erlewine said of the collection that it "represents the first thorough retrospective assembled on the country-pop crooner."

Personnel

All credits are adapted from the liner notes of Bill Anderson's Greatest Hits.[1]

Musical and technical personnel

Release history

RegionDateFormatLabelRef.
GermanyOctober 1967VinylCoral Records[6]
United StatesDecca Records

Notes and References

  1. Anderson . Bill . Bill Anderson's Greatest Hits (Liner Notes and Album Information) . . October 1967.
  2. Web site: Bill Anderson's Greatest Hits (1967, Vinyl) . . July 13, 2020.
  3. Web site: Bill Anderson's Greatest Hits chart history . . July 13, 2020.
  4. Book: Whitburn . Joel . Joel Whitburn's Top Country Albums: 1967–1997 . 1997 . Record Research Inc. . 0898201241.
  5. Album Reviews . . October 28, 1967 . 79 . 43 . 120.
  6. Web site: Bill Anderson's Greatest Hits (1997, Vinyl) (Germany) . . July 13, 2020.