Porter Wagoner - RCA Country Legends (2002)

The RCA Country Legends series -- previously on the reactivated Buddha label, but as of 2002, showing up on BMG Heritage, since Buddha no longer exists -- stands out because the compilers don't open up Joel Whitburn's Billboard chart books and copy down the 16 biggest songs. Instead, they alter their choices slightly, skewing it to a particular sound or style, usually telling a better story about the actual sound and intent of the artist than if they were just concerned with hits. That's even true with Porter Wagoner's volume of RCA Country Legends -- it may be missing a number of big hits (how could it not be; he was one of the biggest stars of his era, continually hitting the charts for year upon year), but it has the biggest hits, surrounded by selections that give a good idea of who Wagoner was as an artist and entertainer. No, not every big song is here, but no other CD-era compilation gives a better idea of what Porter Wagoner was all about than RCA Country Legends, which is why it's an essential addition to any comprehensive country library. © Stephen Thomas Erlewine