Track Listing

1. Paso
2. Streets of Laredo
3. Ribbon of Darkness
4. Love Is Blue
5. Big Iron
6. Devil Woman
7. Don't Worry
8. Tonight Carmen
9. You Gave Me a Mountain
10. Kaw-Liga
11. My Woman, My Woman, My Wife
12. Padre
13. Hanging Tree
14. Red River Valley
15. Jolie Girl
16. (The Girl With) Gardenias in Her Hair
17. It's a Sin
18. Maria (If I Could)
19. I Walk Alone
20. Aloha Oe (Farewell to Thee)

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2359 in Music
• Brand: Sony
• Released on: 1992-02-04
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .20 pounds

Amazon.com
Marty Robbins has more greatest-hits compilations than most artists have hits. This 20-cut single-disc collection is one of the better values, with a representative selection that extends from gunfighter balladry such as "El Paso" (his 1959 chart-topper and biggest crossover success) and "Big Iron" to the calypso-tinged "Devil Woman" to his cover of Gordon Lightfoot's folkish "Ribbon of Darkness." Throughout his 30-year recording career, Robbins combined a tremulous tenor with canny commercial instincts, stretching the boundaries of country music while expanding his popular base. He was equally at home with a cowboy song ("Red River Valley"), a gospel tune ("You Gave Me a Mountain"), and a slice of Hawaiian exotica ("Aloha Oe"). Inexplicably, the album features the schmaltzy "Love Is Blue" at the expense of "A White Sport Coat (And a Pink Carnation)," a '50s pop smash that remained one of his biggest hits. --Don McLeese

Customer Reviews

Worth 10 Stars
Every song on this collection is a true gem. Marty Robbins was a true genius and his songs always tell a story that makes you think. The only qualm I have is the cover-the picture makes it look like Marty was underwater. Otherwise, a great collection at a great price. Don't hesitate to buy this if you only need 1 cd of Marty's big hits.

Mixed Emotions
You can take any given number of Marty Robbins songs and call them his greatest hits as the man had talent and versatility to spare. Certainly most of the songs on this package are exceptional but there are so many left out. "A White Sport Coat (And a Pink Carnation)", perhaps his greatest crossover hit is missing in favor of Hank Williams, Sr.'s "Kaw-Liga" (done to death) and the so-so "Maria (If I Could"). And the hit doesn't even appear on the follow-up album of "more greatest hits". What were they thinking? Early hits "I Couldn't Keep From Crying" and "The Story of My Life" are not here. And on it goes. You will probably enjoy most or all of the songs herein but if you can find it, it's better to go for "The Essential Marty Robbins 1951-1982" that covers some hokey early recordings before he hit his stride plus the ones named, other certified HITS and songs that were only mild hits or not hits at all but are a lot more rewarding to listen to than the less-than-blockbuster filler found here. Shop around before you buy.

Most of his best.
As always, there's a few songs missing here, but for the most part, it's a great and lengthy collection of most of his best stuff. Of course it has "Big Iron", "Devil Woman", "Streets Of Laredo", and his biggest hit "El Paso". I also like "Love Is Blue", and his version of "Ribbon Of Darkness". If I didn't get this album, I'd probably get one of his more western collections, like "No.1 Cowboy" or "Gunfighter Ballads & Trail Songs". Overall, if you're a fan of Johnny or Willie, you'll be a fan of Marty as well.