Greatest Hits Vol. 1 by Phil Vassar (CD, May-2006, Arista/GRP)

Fans are in for a real treat when they pick up a copy of Phil Vassar's Greatest Hits Vol. 1. The 15-track collection isn't your typical hits disc. Vassar, a chart topping songwriter before he made it as a performer himself, didn't stick to the usual format while assembling the album. The Virginia native includes not only his biggest hits as an artist, but the hit songs that got the ball rolling for him as a songwriter.

Greatest Hits Vol. 1 opens with "Bye Bye," a number one cut Vassar penned for Jo Dee Messina. Written while the piano man was going through a divorce, the pulsing track takes on a desperate tone. "I'm Alright," also a big hit for Jo Dee Messina, explodes with a volcano's worth of positive energy. Vassar runs into an old friend and spends the evening catching up. "Little Red Rodeo," Vassar's first top ten hit as a songwriter, finds him chasing a Rodeo Isuzu carrying the woman who left with his heart and all her stuff. Collin Raye had a hit with the song, but it was clearly meant for Vassar's voice.

The thought-provoking "My Next Thirty Years," a forward looking track, and the romping good "For A Little While," were hits for Tim McGraw, but again they're more suited to Vassar. The latter takes the listener on a journey back in time and offers a snapshot of a summer love affair. Vassar pounds the keys like his very life depends on his getting the song out. "The Woman In My Life," one of a three new tracks, celebrates the women in Vassar's life: his mother, his wife, and his daughters. Co-written with wife Julie, the song is an emotion packed hit in waiting.

On top of the eight new songs, Vassar's biggest hits from his three studio albums are also included on the album. The sunny "Six-Pack Summer" and "Just Another Day In Paradise," a poppy tune that made a lot of moms and dads smile when it first came out, have lost none of their shine. "Carlene," a bouncy number about a pretty woman who has more going on than looks, was a Top 5 hit off of Vassar's debut album. The new interpretations of old material and Vassar's past hits are cool, but "Last Day Of My Life," another new track, steals the spotlight. The beautiful piano ballad reminds us to live a good life, a life filled with love.

Greatest Hits Vol. 1 offers a complete look at Phil Vassar the singer, the songwriter, and the performer.

this man is truly an amazing man and song writer and singer ...
even songs that others have sung of his have their own appeal when
Phil sings them... i think it is because you can feel the heart
behind the words...
i wish i had learned before now about this guy... love him...
the album is really great... buy it... you will be glad you did...

Absolutely love this CD. Love Phil Vassar too!!!
I had the CD already and played it to my sister in law visiting from New Zealand. She is not into country but loved the CD so this one has gone back with her down under. She said her son would like it too and he definitely isn't country.
Phil Vassar is a great songwriter - from one to another!
Thanks

I was looking for some good country music to buy and ran across Phil Vassar. I liked what I heard on the radio so I took a chance and bought his CD. I love this CD. Every song is a good song and he sings them beautifully! I would recommend this CD to any country music fan.

I won this tape and another and still have not gotten them. You have to go to another website to enroll in and then try to check out. I finally had to send a check and still have not gotten these CD's. Its been almost 2 months.......Terrible service and I have told the seller several times how disappointed I am....The price was great but its not worth the hassle.

Fantastic CD, perfect condition, quick shipping. Overall very smooth transaction. Will buy from again.

The item was recieved two days after payment (Very Fast Shipping)!! Item is in Perfect shape!! Plays perfectly!! Great Seller!! Thanks!

Phil Vassar tells it like it is - his lyrics paint the perfect picture of what he's telling and you're missing out if you're missing out on Phil Vassar. He's the best ... period. And you don't have to be a fan of country music. He writes about every day life and tells the stories with music that is unmatched.

We saw him & his band in concert and what a treat. Great performers and we loved the music. They continued to entertain the crowd. Found the CD on ebay for a lot less than they were selling it. Again GREAT MUSIC>

Phil Vassar is one of my favorite country musicians. All of his songs in this CD are great. I enjoy listening his songs. I am glad I have this CD.

Country phan or not, it doesn't matter when it comes to music that Phil Vassar creates. He's not your typical country singer, it's as iph he's a genre oph his own. In this CD you get to hear his version oph songs made phamous by other artists but written by him such as "Bye Bye" and "My Next Thirty Years", and you'll love it! His voice is amazing in these songs. The passion Phil has phor his music is remarkable, and you can pheel it when listening to him. I bought this CD and was immediately attracted to him, and soon aphter went and bought his other 3 albums, and have since met him and saw him concert. UNBELIEVABLE is a great word to describe this man and he's so sweet.This CD is a perphect starter, and will have you hooked. This CD is a great buy, and I can bet you will NOT be disappointed!!!

Very good buy without all the songs you don't care to listen to time and again.
Very good singer and happens to be a Virginia citizen some that makes him that much better.

Phil Vassar is so very talented as a songwriter and performer. I kept finding myself loving these songs and finding out again and again that it was a Phil Vassar song. There are a lot of great tunes that I had'nt heard before that grow on you fast. There are also some really wonderful ballads on this CD. Many of the songs on this CD seem like they were written about my life. Great CD, you won't be disappointed!

This is my first Phil Vassar CD and I loved it. Great Country CD...All the songs are really good....Highly enjoyable

I have been a fan of Phil Vassar since his hit, Just another Day in Paradise! Don't we all have those days. I love this greater hits album because it just brings the best of the best together and make you want to listen to each and every song on repeat on the CD Player. The song The Last Day of My Life Life is both life affirming and heartbreaking. While Carlene gives hope to those of us who were more intelligent than beautiful in high school that life gets better later on. This is a great CD and would make a wonderful additional to anyone's collection.

Phil Vassar's Greatest Hits CD, is just that.... the greatest! Excellent music, excellent singing, and well put-together. I'd give it 3 thumbs up, but I only have 2 thumbs!

I must honestly say that there is not one song on this CD that I don't like or love. Usually I find that there is a song or two on CDs that I skip over, but not on this one. If you have loved his songwriting for Tim McGraw and others, you will absolutely love hearing him sing those songs plus his own cuts. I can't get enough of this CD - turn it up loud!

The CD is awesone. Every song is super. I bought it especially for the song "Last Day of my Life" but like I said, every song is great.