So many times, older recordings are not very high quality but not with this group of songs. If you are a Marty Robbins fan (and I am) this CD is a must.

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.

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.