Roy Acuff - The Essential Roy Acuff 1936-1949

1992 U.S. CD collection.

Columbia/Legacy has assembled a single-disc treasure-trove introduction to Roy Acuff that is simply unbeatable. These 20 cuts make the finest case of all for Acuff's long reign as king of the Grand Ole Opry as well as his cornerstone influence on American country music. Certainly "Great Speckled Bird" is here, but so are "Night Train to Memphis," "Black Mountain Rag," "Wreck on the Highway," and his signature version of Floyd Jenkins' "Prodigal Son." Along the way are the portraits from an artist at the height of his power such as "A Sinner's Dying Breath (I'm Dying)," "Freight Train Blues," and "Fireball Mail." Colin Escott's fine liner notes provide a well-rounded portrait of both the man and the scene at the time of his ascension to the pinnacle of it.

AllMusicGuide

tracklist-
Great Speckle Bird
Steel Guitar Blues
Just to Ease My Worried Mind
Lonesome Old River Blues
Precious Jewel
It Won't Be Long (Till I'll Be Leaving)
Wreck on the Highway
Fireball Mail
Night Train to Memphis
Prodigal Son
Not a Word from Home
I'll Forgive You, But I Can't Forget You
Freight Train Blues
Wabash Cannonball
Jole Blon
This World Can't Stand Long
Waltz of the Wind
Sinner's Death (I'm Dying)
Tennessee Waltz
Black Mountain Rag