Johnny Horton's Greatest Hits

iTunes Review

Released in 1961 — just one year after his life was cut short in a collision with a drunk driver — this is the original collection of Johnny Horton’s most famous songs, and it has stood the test of time. Horton amassed an impressive body of work over the course of his abbreviated career, but his biggest song was “The Battle of New Orleans.” The song won the 1960 GRAMMY for Best Country & Western Recording, and inspired Horton to record several other historically and geographically themed songs, including “North to Alaska,” “Johnny Reb,” “When It’s Springtime In Alaska (It’s Forty Below),” “Sink the Bismarck,” “Comanche (The Brave Horse),” “Jim Bridger” and “Johnny Freedom,” all of which are included here. Horton’s interpretations of pioneers and soldiers are still beloved today, but if not for the success of “Battle of New Orleans,” he could have easily made legend as an introspective folk singer. “Whispering Pines,” “The Mansion You Stole” and “All for the Love of a Girl” formulate a unique brand of ethereal, lonesome country music that anticipates the work of ‘60s folksingers like Fred Neil and Tim Hardin.