Conway Twitty

Originally a '50s rock & roll singer, Conway Twitty became the reigning country superstar of the '70s and '80s, racking up a record 40 number one hits over the course of two decades. With his deep, resonant down-home voice, Twitty was one of the smoothest balladeers to work in Nashville during the country-pop era, but he was also one of the most adventurous. More than any other singer, he was responsible for selling country as an "adult" music, slipping sexually suggestive lyrics into his lush productions, yet never singing misogynist lyrics by and large, his songs were sensitive and sensual, which is part of the reason why he achieved such a large success.

It is reckoned that in America, Conway Twitty was the most successful country singer ever! He landed a record-breaking 41 No.1 singles on the country charts. But the songs gathered on these two CDs go right back to his beginnings, reminding us just how much of a rocker Conway Twitty could be when he let his hair down.

MCA Special Products' Hello Darlin' is a budget-priced compilation that features 11 selections from Conway Twitty's classic recordings for MCA Records. It's not intended to be a hits collection, and it isn't only "Hello Darlin'" is a Twitty staple but it's a good sampling of lesser-known singles, album tracks, and covers. It's neither definitive nor representative, but casual fans on a tight budget may find it an entertaining diversion.

Filled with primal rock n roll swagger from his 1960 much sought after album Lonely Boy Blue and his debut offering from 1958 Conway Twitty Sings . Packed with attitude! Sentence rolling angst with more than a nod to Elvis at his most forthright and law-breaking best! Featuring Great versions of Presley faves Blue Moon , Heartbreak Hotel along with his very own debut hit It s Only Make Believe . Plus classic R n R posturing on the effusive I Vibrate and the teen anthem Trouble In Mind along with some emotive anthems including You ll Never Walk Alone and a great take on Ray Charles Hallelujah I Love Her So.

House on Old Lonesome Road leads off with "She's Got a Single Thing in Mind," the energizing hit which reaffirmed Twitty's standing among the era's country's giants.