By the time she clocked up her last major hit which reached a number nine placing in the Billboard Country Charts in 1982 she could count up fifty two Top Ten hits and sixteen Number Ones.
This year the ‘Coalminers Daughter’ Loretta Lynn celebrates her fiftieth year for making music.
Like many country stars her life has been one of ‘the rags to riches’ scenarios incorporating many ups and downs along the way.
Her self penned songs have taken on many of our major social issues and opened a door for womanhood with titles like ‘Don’t come Home A Drinkin’ With Lovin’ On Your Mind’, ‘The Pill’, and You Ain’t Woman Enough To Take My Man’.
Many of todays female country acts have confessed to being inspired by her music and would love to aspire to her talent.
To celebrate her fifty years of entertaining many artists have paid tribute to her already this year by covering their versions of her songs in an album released a few weeks ago, however Humphead/Wrasse records have no w made available a brilliant new offering entitled ‘Loretta Lynn 50th Anniversary Collection’.
This double CD containing thirty six tracks takes in many of her solo hits and a selection of duo tracks with her one time singing partner Conway Twitty.
From the opening track ‘I’m A Honky Tonk Girl’ (her first release) through to the final offering of ‘I Still Believe in Waltzes’ it is a traditional album of country ‘how it used to be’ with Loretta feeling, breathing and living every song.
For fifty years now she has fashioned a styling in country music that has become a part of its history and much of it can be heard on this release.
The double CD also comes with a sixteen page booklet with pictures and track listings.
It has already been announced that a special event will be held later in the year in Nashville to help her celebrate her big 50 with well know country stars joining in.
If you’re not invited take consolation in the fact that this double CD will allay your disappointment.
Loretta Lynn 50th Anniversary Collection Humphead Records Hump 102 available from February 28th.