Old Man River, I'm here to listen again
During the 1980's one of my favorite country songs was Mel McDaniels version of Old Man River ( I've come to talk again) not to be confused with the 1940's pop song. I had two or three casettes featuring this tune all through the decade, and now,I am thrilled to have it once again in my collection. His other top hits are here as well such as Stand Up, Big Old Brew and the infectuous Baby's Got Her Blue jeans On. Man, the memories that one brings back. Besides my old favorite "River" the most beautiful song here is one I had never heard before called Do You Want To Say Goodbye. For those of us who grew up listening and dancing to Haggard, Waylon, Moe Bandy and so many others and have never really warmed up to Toby, Shania, etc. this ones for us.

How much is cheese worth?
Wow! This album is even worse than I thought it would be. The only reason I bought it was for the horribly cheesey song "Baby's Got Her Blue Jeans On". I should have just spent $0.99 on iTunes. Oh well, you live, you learn.

"Some Hits"
One of the biggest "gripes" I have had with major record labels is that they have been notorious for releasing mediocre "Hits" compilations over the years. It seems thay are doing better in this era of the ANTHOLOGY & ESSENTIAL collections but many record companies fail when it comes to country music & artist that predate the 1990's...this includes one of my all-time favorites, MEL MCDANIEL. This hits collection only contains a few of his biggest. Where is ?:

GOD MADE LOVE #11
RIGHT IN THE PALM OF YOUR HAND #10
TAKE ME TO THE COUNTRY #10
I CALL IT LOVE #9
REAL GOOD FEEL GOOD SONG #9
STAND ON IT #12

Songs that did make the Greatest Hits collection such as "HELLO DADDY, GOOD MORNING DARLIN" #39 and "OLD MAN RIVER" #22 were moderate success'.......I don't know who was running the labels sales dept. that day but whoever it was had to be smokin' something!

The Best Country CD ever made
I remember working at a local grocery store when one day, Mel McDaniel himself cam walking in and I was amazed by his star power. He asked me "how are you doing son?" I had no clue who he was until he walked out after purchasing his groceries. People lined up outside wanting to talk to this tall gray haired man that I just talked to. Some employees told me who it was and I was floored. I am now a professional disc jockey and I love playing "Stand Up" and the hottest classic country song going today is "Baby's Got Her Blue Jeans On". It was truly a pleasure to meet him and plan on meeting him again soon seeing that we all live within 15 miles of each other.

GOOD OLD BOY
if you know who mel mcdaniel is, then you ain't no yankee. songs that soothe the soul are what mel sings best. growing up in louisiana for 11 years, listening to kenny, dolly, and even aaron nevile's band at county fairs all over louisiana. if you are from the bayou and forgot your past and need a taste of home, mel is the next door neighboor that welcomes you home and asks "howya doin' pudding?"