Freddie Hart Best Of... CD

At 10 tracks, this Freddie Hart best-of collection is a bit skimpy, but it still covers all the best-known hits by the honky tonk-flavored country-pop artist. Although Hart began recording in the 1950s, he didn't hit his commercial stride until the early '70s, when the sweet, lilting "Easy Loving" became a runaway hit. That tune is included, of course, along with tear-in-your-beer numbers like "Bless Your Heart" and emotive love songs like "Got the All Overs for You (All Over Me)." Hart isn't afraid of lush arrangements, and rarely ups the tempo past mid-level, but his expressive songs of longing are the stuff barroom ballads are built on. BEST OF offers an introductory crash course in all of these styles and more.
This is an enjoyable sampler highlighting Freddie Hart's honky tonk hits from the early '70s for the Capitol label. These ten tracks mirror the out of print Cema Special Markets package with the same running order but different cover art. This short collection provides a decent introduction to Hart's best material, including the original versions of "Easy Loving," "Bless Your Heart," "Got the All Overs for You (All Over Me)," and "Trip to Heaven." ~ Al Campbell
At least the fifth compilation to be titled The Best of Freddie Hart, this one -- released in early 2006 by EMI -- contains the same exact content as the same-titled discs released by EMI in 1997 and by Collectables in 2003. Though it is succinct, it contains each of Hart's '70s charting singles, such as "Easy Loving" (the one that rejuvenated his career in 1971), "Got the All Overs for You (All Over Me)," "My Hang-Up Is You," "Trip to Heaven," "If You Can't Feel It (It Ain't There)," and "The First Time." Each one of these songs placed in the Top Ten of the Country Singles chart. ~ Andy Kellman
The Best of Freddie Hart is part of EMI-Capitol Special Markets' excellent Ten Best Series, a budget-line series that features an artist's ten biggest hits in their original recorded versions. This disc contains ten of Hart's biggest hits for Capitol Records -- including the number one singles "Easy Loving," "My Hang Up Is You," "Bless Your Heart," "Got the All Overs for You (All Over Me)," "Super Kind of Woman" and "Trip to Heaven" albeit not in chronological order. Nevertheless, the very fact that all these hits are on one disc at such an affordable price makes The Best of Freddie Hart a terrific choice for budget-minded casual fans. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine
At least the fifth compilation to be titled The Best of Freddie Hart, this one -- released in early 2006 by EMI -- contains the same exact content as the same-titled discs released by EMI in 1997 and by Collectables in 2003. Though it is succinct, it contains each of Hart's '70s charting singles, such as "Easy Loving" (the one that rejuvenated his career in 1971), "Got the All Overs for You (All Over Me)," "My Hang-Up Is You," "Trip to Heaven," "If You Can't Feel It (It Ain't There)," and "The First Time." Each one of these songs placed in the Top Ten of the Country Singles chart. ~ Andy Kellman