Exactly half of these recordings previously appeared on the Hollywood Records compact disc Conversation With a Gun, including excellent remakes of "The Boll Weevil" and "Green Grow the Lilacs," both of which were recorded by
Ritter for Capitol in the '40s. These recordings are said to be from a 1964 session for overseas radio broadcast, and
Ritter remakes a number of his well-known songs. An answer to
Lefty Frizzell's "Saginaw Michigan" is included ("Son of a Saginaw Fisherman"), along with the
Harlan Howard's "The Gallows Pole" and an instrumental treatment of
Johnny Bond's "Cimarron." The Very Best isn't
Tex Ritter's very best -- not even close -- but fans will greatly enjoy a number of these tracks. ~ Greg Adams