Country & Western Hit Parade 1967 / Various

After the volumes covering 1945-1965 were released, the word was out. This series is definitive, fabulously packaged, and faultlessly re-mastered! In short, everything you'd expect from Bear Family! Including these five new additions, it's now a quarter-century of the very best of country music. Jack Clement, who produced Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison, Waylon Jennings, Don Williams, Charley Pride, and many others, said, ''This is the best country series of all time. No doubt. No question.'' Robert Hilburn in the 'Los Angeles Times' said, ''An invaluable album project enables fans to step back in time and listen to the radio just like Elvis Presley, Ray Charles, and Bob Dylan did.'' Producer Allen Reynolds (Garth Brooks, Emmylou Harris, and many others) stopped Bear Family's Richard Weize at the Country Music Hall of Fame to congratulate him on the series. Now the story ends with 1966-1970. Every CD is generously full. Every booklet is extensive and chocked full of rare photos and illustrations, as well as complete stories behind the songs! In addition to the hits, the series contains rarities that went on to influence country music - in fact, all music - in the years ahead. This series is designed to introduce new listeners to the very best that country music has to offer, while keeping longtime fans entertained. Every volume is a fabulous time capsule. ''Collecting an anarchic mix of sex and sentimentality, earnest paeans to family and fanciful tales of drinking and cheating, Dim Lights? affords a fascinating glimpse into black-and-white polemics? Established stars, inspired wannabes proffer an intoxicating brew of dancefloor honky tonk, hillbilly boogie, bluegrass, western swing, incipient rockabilly, goofball novelty, and sentimental country-pop.'' ('Uncut' magazine) The reviews are in and everyone from Australia to Los Angeles to London is raving about Bear Family's definitive year-by-year country series Gentry, Bobbie - Distant Drums (undubbed) Gentry, Bobbie - Ode To Billie Joe Darrell, Johnny - Ruby (Don't Take Your Love To Town) Jennings, Waylon - Mental Revenge Reeves, Jim - I Won't Come In While He's There Hamilton IV, George - Break My Mind Ashley, Leon - Laura (What's He Got That I Ain't Got) Haggard, Merle - Branded Man Lynn, Loretta - What Kind Of Girl (Do You Think I Am)' Brown, Jim Ed - Pop A Top Price, Ray - Danny Boy Mitchum, Robert - Little Ole Wine Drinker Me Hartford, John - Gentle On My Mind Campbell, Glen - By The Time I Get To Phoenix Robbins, Marty - Tonight Carmen Tillis, Mel - Life Turned Her That Way Owens, Buck - Where Does The Good Times Go Davis, Skeeter - What Does It Take (To Keep A Man Like You Satisfied) Jennings, Waylon - The Chokin' Kind Cash, Johnny & Carter, June - Jackson Haggard, Merle - Sing Me Back Home Jackson, Wanda - Tears Will Be The Chaser For Your Wine Reed, Jerry - Guitar Man Jean, Norma - Jackson Ain't A Very Big Town Jones, George - Walk Through This World With Me Houston, David & Wynette, Tammy - My Elusive Dreams Stewart, Wynn - It's Such A Pretty World Today Owens, Buck - Sam's Place Wynette, Tammy - I Don't Wanna Play House Pride, Country Charlie - Does My Ring Hurt Your Finger' Wagoner, Porter - Cold Hard Facts Of Life Lovin' Spoonful, The - Nashville Cats