A sequel to
Live at the Opry, it's not called "Live at the Opry, Vol. 2" because it wasn't taken from Opry broadcasts, but from radio shows produced for the U.S. Navy and Armed Forces. The 12 performances date from 1956 to 1962, and are of special interest in that they include five songs that she never recorded in the studio for commercial release, including numbers by
Roger Miller,
Webb Pierce, and
Sonny James.
Cline's in good form throughout, the fidelity is very good, and the arrangements on the whole are considerably sparer than her studio recordings were wont to employ. The straight-ahead reading of "Strange," a top-notch 1962
Mel Tillis composition that went on the B-side of "She's Got You," is a particular highlight. A good album that will appeal to most country fans, not just
Cline collectors. ~ Richie Unterberger