The Best of Connie Smith is the first compilation album released by American country artist, Connie Smith. The album was released in September 1967 on RCA Victor Records and was produced by Bob Ferguson. The album compiled Smith's major hits between 1964 and 1966, including one new single.
The Best of Connie Smith compiled twelve tracks Smith had a major hit with between 1964 and 1966. The album opens up with Smith's first major hit, "Once a Day" (1964), but followed by Smith's other major hits including, "Then and Only Then," "Ain't Had No Lovin'," "The Hurtin's All Over," and "Cincinnati, Ohio." The album was originally issued on a 12-inch LP record with six tracks each side. The album was reviewed by Allmusic, which only gave it two out of five stars. Reviewer Thom Owens stated, "The Best of Connie Smith is a much-too-brief sampling of Connie Smith's biggest hits." However, Owens does praise such tracks as "Once A Day," "Then and Only Then," "If I Talk to Him," calling them "classic performances."[1]
Release[]
Although a compilation album, The Best of Connie Smith contained one new song, "I'll Come Runnin'," a song written by Smith. The song was released as a single in February 1967, eventually peaking on the Billboard MagazineHot Country Songs chart at #10. The album itself also charted. The Best of Connie Smith peaked at #22 on the BillboardTop Country Albums chart upon its release in 1967, becoming Smith's first album not to reach the Top 20.[2]
