Bill Anderson's Greatest Hits
1967 compilation album by Bill Anderson
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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.
- Bradley Studios (Nashville, Tennessee)
- Columbia (Nashville, Tennessee)
| Bill Anderson's Greatest Hits | ||||
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| Compilation album by | ||||
| Released | October 1967 | |||
| Recorded | 1959–1966 | |||
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| Genre | ||||
| Length | 35:26 | |||
| Label | Decca | |||
| Producer | Owen Bradley | |||
| Bill Anderson chronology | ||||
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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 in Nashville, Tennessee, which changed ownership and was renamed Columbia Studios over the course of the recording of the songs included on the album.[2] A total of twelve previously recorded tracks were chosen for the album. All had previously been released as singles and had been major hits.[1] 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."[2]
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.[2] The project was issued as a vinyl LP, containing six songs on each side of the record.[3]
The album spent 20 weeks on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart before peaking at number six in December 1967.[4] Bill Anderson's Greatest Hits was his eighth album to reach the Billboard country chart and second compilation to reach the chart.[5] 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.[6] 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."[1]
Track listing
All tracks written by Bill Anderson, except where noted.
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "I Get the Fever" | 2:06 | |
| 2. | "The Tip of My Fingers" | 2:29 | |
| 3. | "Bright Lights and Country Music" |
| 2:35 |
| 4. | "Mama Sang a Song" | 3:27 | |
| 5. | "Easy Come – Easy Go" | 2:03 | |
| 6. | "Still" | 2:45 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "I Love You Drops" | 2:45 | |
| 2. | "8×10" |
| 2:48 |
| 3. | "Po' Folks" | 2:50 | |
| 4. | "Five Little Fingers" | 3:00 | |
| 5. | "Three A.M." |
| 2:30 |
| 6. | "Golden Guitar" |
| 4:13 |
Personnel
All credits are adapted from the liner notes of Bill Anderson's Greatest Hits.[2]
Musical and technical personnel
- Bill Anderson – lead vocals
- Owen Bradley – producer
- Hal Buksbaum – cover photo
Chart performance
| Chart (1967) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Top Country Albums (Billboard)[7] | 6 |
Release history
| Region | Date | Format | Label | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Germany | October 1967 | Vinyl | Coral Records | [8] |
| United States | Decca Records | [3][1] | ||