Born to Sing [Box] by Connie Smith (CD, May-2001, 4 Discs, Bear Family Germany)

I think Connie Smith is still the best darn Country singer in the world. Her recorded material is penned by some of the greatest songwriters of all time. This boxed set features dozens of Bill Anderson songs and some Dallas Frazier ones too. I bought this boxed set to enjoy listening to Connie sing and to hear the great Steel Guitar playing of Weldon Myrick. The CD's have both but the recordings were done at a time that Country was going Pop. Miss Smith and Mr. Myrick are both covered up in 70% of the material with elaborate string sections and four part oohs and ahhs. Can you say over produced!

I wish I had been able to review all the songs before I bought this boxed set. I would have been happier finding the reissues of the early recordings on CD and searched for some of the old vinyl recordings to convert to MP3's. Connie Smith sings a lot of this material live on the Grand Ole Opry, The Marty Stewart Show and other performances. It is much more enjoyable to hear it without all the fancy uptown production.