Billie Jo Spears - The Ultimate Collection

A constant influence in classic country music, Billie Jo Spearshad a song on the country chart every year except one, from 1968 to 1984.She moved from Capitol Records in 1972, joining Cutlass Records for a short time in 1973,but no hits came from that label.The next year she signed with United Artist and a string of hits followed.Her signature song "Blanket on the ground" was a top ten hit on both sides of the Atlantic.Many of her 'country - pop' releases in the UK were well received.Because of her work in the pop genres also,she is credited for helping break down barriers that had previouslyrestricted America's country artists from receiveing air play in England.During those eighteen years Billie Jo had 34 songs chart,with 26 of them in the country top forty.Twenty-three of her charted singles are here, as well as three b-sides.Some highlights of this set are:1. "Mr. Walker its all over", her first top five hit in 1969.2. "Marty Gray", -- 1970.3. "Blanket on the ground", went to the top of the charts in 1975.4. "Stay away from the apple tree", -- 1975.5. "Silver wings and golden rings", -- 1975.6. "What I've got in mind", -- 1976.7. "Misty blue", a cover of the Wilma Burgess top five hit from 1966.8. "Never did like whiskey", -- 1976.9. "Lonely hearts club", -- 1978.10. "I've got to go", -- 1978.11. "'57 Chevrolet", -- 1978.12. "I will survive", Billie Jo does an EXCEPTIONAL jobon her cover of a 1979 Gloria Gaynor disco hit.13. "Livin' our love together", -- 1979.14. "Rainy days and stormy nights", -- 1979.15. "Standing tall", -- 1980.16. "Your good girl's gonna go bad", -- 1981.A cover of the major Tammy Wynette hit from 1967.The essence that Billie Jo had in her massive hit, "Blanket on the ground",is continued throughout this collection.This two disc, forty-eight track compilation is a wonderful sampleing of her very best.This collection includes many original Billie Jo hits,and her covers of some very popular hits from both genres, country and pop.Billie Jo's distinctive voice makes this smooth, easy listening collection a total delight.Wanted to mention for those looking for original recordings = Yes these are!This 2 disc set comes with a nice twelve page booklet, with career overview -six pages of colored photos and two pages listing the two disc,along with the year each song here was released - spanning her 1968 debut to 1981.( This set skips 10 songs from those years plus Billie Jo's last two charted singles in 1984=9 were top 40 hits - three were not)Produced by EMI Gold in 2007. Excellent sound.Here is over 2 hours and 10 minutes of continual, good, classic, country music,and is a very worthwhile collection to own.

Actually, I would have liked to have given this collection 4.5 stars, as it is missing one of my favorite songs from Billie Jo Spears, and that is "I'm Gonna Pick up my Marbles". Otherwise, this is a near perfect collection. In fact, I plan to buy another copy to give as a gift! If you are new to Billie Jo, this is a great place to get to know her. She has her own style, and is pure country. I am surprised she didn't make it to the top of the charts more times, and gain more fame.If you already know of Billie Jo, this is a CD to add to your collection. It includes, "Mr. Harper, It's all over", "'57 Chevrolet", and many other cherished favorites. It is also the original recordings, in most, if not all of the songs. This is from an era when country music was pure and simple and told a story. I wish there was a way to go back to that sort of music, but today's "country singers" seem to want to have more instruments, and more of a rock n roll slant. Maybe the instruments are hiding the fact that today's singers don't have the true talent and sound that came from growing up with music as their only entertainment and escape, but rather in an era of having more opportunities to be "showcased" instead of having to "make it" by hard work and being "discovered". And the songwriters haven't lived the hard life enough to write this sort of thing anymore.No matter the cause, this is a CD that I play a lot, and will play many, many times in the future. I think you will enjoy it as much as I do, if you truly like country music. ( And if your not into country music, this is a great place to listen and enjoy and expand your horizons!)

He really like it.

Purchased as gift to friend who is a big country fan. He said that the collection is almost complete with the exception of one song which may have copyright issues. He likes the collection even without the single omission.

this is a double CD and it has 48 songs on it, there is NOT one song i don't like ! it has the best musicarrangements and vocal i have heard in a very long time . i have played it over and over ever since i purchased it.it is the Billie Jo Spears Ultimate collection. actually i plan on buying every single one of her CD's and hopefully there is a DVD available also . i turn it up very loud and sing along with almost every song. and i am in my 70's. so i am young at heart. i have a collection of over 2000 DVD s etc, and i love music of all types, i but i have to say this one is surely a favorite of mine.! great vocal and music arrangements ! you just want to hear again and again !i buy 99%% of my DVD's and CD's from Amazon .i love their way of doing business.

What more can I say than this wonderful lady vocalist of Country Music was one of my Favorite Female Vocalist who had a beautiful voice, and knew how to use it. We will miss Billie Jo Speers, now since she has left us, to be on The OTHER SIDE with the other GREAT ENTERTAINERS-Musicians and Vocalists. I know that she undoubtably is performing with her excellent singing with THE ANGEL BAND now. I never got the opportu nity to meet her, but I know she had to be one heck of a Fine Lady, as well as a Excellent Female Country Music Vocalist. I Salute you BILLIE JO SPEERS... Your Fan as always, Harold "SNUFF" Smith of MO. P.S.== THis excellent cd collection of songs by BILLIE JO SPEERS, was purchased thru Amazon.com, and is very very fine listening music too.