Larry Gatlin and The Gatlin Brothers Band 17 Greatest Hits by Larry Gatlin

Larry Gatlin and The Gatlin Brothers Band 17 Greatest Hits

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Larry Gatlin and The Gatlin Brothers Band 17 Greatest Hits

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Audio CD (October 25, 1990)

Number of Discs: 1

Label: Sony

Catalog Number: 40187

Reader Reviews
Success did not come easy to Larry, but things started to happen when Dottie West became impressed by his songwriting and started to record some of his songs, something she continued to do occasionally even after he became successful as a singer. Eventually, Kris Kristofferson managed to persuade his own label, Monument, to give Larry a recording contract. Although Larry was the lead singer, his brothers always sang harmony so it was no surprise when Larry gave them credit by including them in the title of his act. They never became really big names, but they were successful for a few years in the mid to late seventies and early eighties, the period covered by this compilation, and have continued to record sporadically ever since. After some minor hits (included here), their big break came via Broken lady, the song chosen to start this compilation. It was a masterpiece, and it was no surprise that Dottie West recorded it with gender-adapted lyrics. Their biggest hit was All the gold in California, which tells you that it all belongs to somebody else now so don't waste time looking for it. It's a very clever song and catchy too - no surprise that it was such a huge success. Other songs here worthy of mention include I just wish you were someone I love (their first country number one hit), I don't wanna cry, She used to sing on Sunday, Houston, Take me to your loving place and Midnight choir. Actually, every song here is wonderful and there are some others that I would like to have seen included too, but there is one in particular worth mentioning - Bitter they are harder they fall. It was not their biggest hit but several singers have covered it. Dottie West was first (of course) - she actually recorded the song twice, several years apart - but Elvis Presley and Anne Murray are among others who have followed. I am amused to see Larry's version on an Elvis tribute compilation. How can his version be a tribute? The absence of Bitter they are harder they fall (which can be found on other Gatlin albums as well as Elvis tributes) does not prevent this from being an excellent compilation of music by a distinctive trio of brothers.

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