Handcrafted Kenny

2005 double-disc collection features Kenny's solo work as a Country Pop hit-maker including #1 hits 'Lucille' and 'Coward of the County' as well as coveted B-sides and album tracks. Also features notable collaborations with other country stars such as Sheena Easton, Kim Carnes and Dottie West.

There certainly has been no shortage of Kenny Rogers compilations over the years – some might even say there's been a surplus – all covering essentially the same territory, mixing up his solo hits from the late '70s and early '80s with cuts from the late '60s when he fronted the First Edition. Hip-O's 2004 collection 20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection uses that same approach, but it's better than nearly all of the collections currently on the market since it contains nearly all the big hits – "Lady," "She Believes in Me," "You Decorated My Life," "The Gambler," "Lucille," "Ruby, Don't Take Your Love to Town," "Ruben James," "Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Is In)" – on an affordable single disc.

Kenny Drew (1928-1993) was an extraordinary bebop-oriented pianist who recorded with Howard McGhee, Buddy DeFranco, Charlie Parker and John Coltrane (the famous album Blue Train) before moving to Denmark in 1961. While he sacrificed much of the interest of the American jazz audience, he gained a wide following across Europe, and by extension, in Japan. Dark Beauty, recorded in 1974 with Niels-Henning Orsted Pedersen and Albert "Tootie" Heath, became a break-out hit that helped advance Drew's acclaim. On this album he displays tremendous pianistic skills, intelligent and advanced harmonic sensibilities and driving sense of swing. Pedersen is featured throughout, and his solos demonstrate awe-inspiring technique and imagination…