While listening and reviewing Willie Nelson I have just realised that somehow I missed to actually write about his predecessor and idol, a singer who came a good decade before him and left a huge mark on all the future country guys - wonderful Lefty Frizzell. Willie Nelson always idolised him and even recorded a whole album tribute to him.
It really surprises me that so far I missed to review this double CD compilation because Lefty Frizzell is one of my all-time favourite country artists. He belongs to classic, hard-core honky tonk twangy school of musicians who cleared the path and influenced a lot of future generations, his best-known work being recorded during early 1950s. I read very good recommendations about him and even bought this CD without actually hearing him first, just assumed it must be good when everybody raves so much about him. After first initial surprise (music is light, swinging and very, very gentle) this really went deep under my skin and it never fails to cheer me up, because its so timeless and uplifting. Majority of Frizzell's hits are here and they are without exceptions absolutely brilliant, old fashioned and good natured fun but the best of all is his voice - Lefty had instantly recognisable, soft croon and it does sound like he is seducing you with this sweet yodel, just listen "Always late with your kisses" or anything preserved here. It seems hits dried up at certain point but it has nothing to do with his talent, as later recordings show he always had that impeccable voice and even at the very end of this compilation listener might be caught by surprise because even later songs ("Long Black Veil") are first-rate. I could listen Lefty Frizzell for hours, he was such adorable singer.
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