King Of The Honky-Tonk: From The Original Master Tapes
Pierce's ostentation (epitomized by his guitar-shaped swimming pool and silver dollar-encrusted Pontiac) has tended to obscure his achievement as the best-selling country artist of the '50s. His glorious, soaring off-key vocals, his courage in tackling taboos, and his emphasis on a driving honky-tonk beat make his recordings unfailingly listenable today. Songs like "Back Street Affair," "There Stands the Glass," "In the Jailhouse Now," "Honky-Tonk Song," and "I Ain't Never" are glorious. Pierce, though, shot himself in the foot by living long enough to make some very bad records, but here are 18 unalloyed beer hall classics in their never-bettered original versions.--Colin Escott