All Time Greatest Hits: Roger Miller

Playful and heart felt.

Good all time hits from Roger Miller

I remember my father listening to Roger Miller when I was 6 or 7 years old. He had a small reel to reel tape player that we took to the beach with us. It was the kind where you had to feed the tape onto the empty reel, and then rewind it when it was done. I know, dinosaur technology, but I have fond memories of those days. This album of Roger Miller's best songs sound as great today as they did back in the 1960s. I've had "King of the Road" stuck in my head for days, thanks to this album. I also love the aw-shucks sound of "Dang Me", "Chug A Lug" and "Do Wacka Do". My kids loved listening to "You Can't Roller Skate In a Buffalo Herd" until I actually refused to play it again. Not all Miller's songs are funny or nonsensical, though. He sings about heartbreak and true love in "In the Summertime" and "Little Green Apples". He also does an impressive version of "Me and Bobby McGee". In all, there are 20 classic Roger Miller songs on this album. There's also a great CD insert telling about Miller's life and his untimely death from throat cancer. I was surprised to read that Miller wrote most of his own songs, and that he was a gifted fiddle player and guitarist. So take a walk down memory lane - anyone who grew up in the 60s will remember these songs! And it's great that his albums can entertain another generation.

Whoa. I remember Roger and his great songs. I was young and he was out while the Beatles were huge throughout the radio stations with many of their song in the Top Ten, when Roger came out and got a few songs in the Top Ten. I love the songwriter who died way too soon.

I always liked Roger's serious side even more than his crazy novelty song side---that is, if I can put "King of the Road" in the list of "serious" ones. I fell for that one the first time I heard it on the radio, when I was in college, back around 1965 or so. I haven't tired of it yet. There are 20 pretty good performances on this CD. My favorites, after "King" include "River in the Rain" from the Broadway musical he wrote, "Big River." That show has at least six great songs in it, and another six good ones. I would love to hear Roger do them all, even if it was just on a demo recorded in his kitchen. I also like "The Last Word in Lonesome is Me" and "Husbands and Wives" and "Little Green Apples" and his version of "Me and Bobby McGee" the Kris Kristofferson classic. Among the pure novelties, "Kansas City Star" and "England Swings" have always been my top choices. If all you want is one disc representing the long career of Mr. Miller, who died several years ago while a resident of Santa Fe, NM, this is a fine choice.

I've always liked Roger Miller and his songs. This cd puts alot of my favorites on one cd. Quality is good.

Love it!

It's like sitting in front row of his concert - perfect acoustics !!

TOP, TRèS BON PRODUIT, j'en suis satisfait, je le recommande pour les amateurs de musique, c'est vraiment très très bon!

知っていますか、この人があのジャニスで超有名な 「ミーアンドボビーマギー」のオリジナルアーチストだということ？ まじっすよ。 ジャニスとは違いのん気な風情の「ボビーマギー」 これもこの人がオリジナルのＯＣスミスのヒット曲「リトル・グリーン・アップルズ」 ジョン・ハートフォードに多大な影響を与えたであろう「チャガラグ」 など、名曲・珍曲が揃っております。 こういうカントリーもあるんだよ〜と、 おずおず薦めたいベストです。 ボビー・ラッセル作の「サウス」なんてああた、 いっぺん聴いてみてくださいなっ。

Nostalgic music from a simpler time

Five stars are just not enough for this brilliant album from one of the best country/ cross over pop singer songwriters of the 60s. Probably best known for his massive hit. King Of The Road , but also recognised for a variety of songs some sad....Husbands And Wives , some happy ....Walkin' In The Sunshine...and some downright crazy.....You Can't Roller Scate In A Buffalo Herd ( but you can be happy if you've a mind to). These four alone show the wide range of his compositions as well as his wide vocal delivery. No one bends a note , phrases a lyric or throws in an impossible rhythm like Roger Miller. In short while he can be melodic and swing with Engine Endine # 9 he is always exciting to listen to. His wordsmith ability is amazing . Who could write a grammatically incorrect line like "Kansas City Star That's what I are" and get away with it or the audacious ryme " roses are red violets are purple/sugar's sweet and so's maple surple" ? Both and many similar examples work beautifully within the context of his songs. While mostly his own songs on this album he also interprets the work of other writers like Kris Kristofferson with one of the best versions I have ever heard of Me And Bobby McGee and Bobby Russel's Little Green Apples. All his hits are here and some. There are no make-weight numbers on this compilation. Each and every song is worth a listen. The term genius is often overused , but not when referring to the late Roger Miller. If you are already a fan then this is a first class collection. If he is new to you then there is no better introduction than All Time Greatest Hits.

Great Album!