Jimmy Dean

He wasn't particularly innovative, and no one ever mistook him for a genuine honky tonk man, but Jimmy Dean turned a knack for perfectly phrased, half-spoken story-songs into a little personal cottage industry in the early '60s, climaxing in 1961's "Big Bad John." He could sing just fine when he chose to, though, and his main talent may well have been in choosing just the right songs to record, then leaving the business altogether and going into the sausage business while his name still carried a cache. This generous 24-song set has all of his key Columbia tracks, including, of course, "Big Bad John" (and its numerous sequels like "Little Bitty Big John") as well as the bright, skipping "Deep Blue Sea" and the easy chugging "Little Black Book." On most of his sides Dean delivered his vocals with a sort of warm, subtle wink in his voice, a trait that was a big part of his charm, and he continues to work the same endearing trick in his television commercials for his various sausage products. This set has all the Jimmy Dean that most listeners will ever need. ~ Steve Leggett, All Music Guide