Essential
Although he didn't dominate its charts as he did the country ones in his long heyday, Eddy Arnold did have an impact in the pop world. After coming to stardom in the 1940s, Arnold took a place in the vanguard of the Nashville Sound, crooning pleasingly the likes of "Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye" and "Just Call Me Lonesome." The former was first ahitfor vocal group the Casinos, but Arnold's songs likewise benefited noncountry artists; soul singersJoe SimonandDorothy Mooreboth cut his "Moody Blue" (not included here), and jazz singerHelen Merrillearlier tackled "Anytime." This volume of RCA'sEssentialseries mostly lives up to its title while missing at least one obvious choice, the sweet "Bouquet of Roses." Also, some of the later recordings slide perilously close toPerry Comoterritory. Still, Arnold's best records are hard to resist, and anyone interested in hearing where, say,Vince Gilllearned some lessons will want this CD.--Rickey Wright