The double-disc set The Essential Marty Robbins: 1951-1982 effectively presents an overview of Robbins' long, prolific career, taking in nearly every style he tried out during that time. There are honky tonk and hillbilly numbers and cowboy songs, country-pop, rockabilly and Hawaiian tunes -- in all, there are 50 songs, including the great majority of his big hit singles. In short, it's the perfect place to begin exploring his long, prolific and varied career, and it's a necessary addition to any country music library. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
Buddy Emmons (Guitar (Steel)), Chet Atkins (Guitar), Floyd Cramer (Piano), Hank Garland (Guitar), Johnny Gimble (Fiddle), Marty Robbins (Guitar), Marty Robbins (Vocals), Marty Robbins (Main Performer), Ray Conniff (Leader), Ed Shaughnessy (Drums), Al Caiola (Guitar), Tommy Allsup (Guitar), Grady Martin (Guitar), Billy Mure (Guitar), Bill Pursell (Piano), Johnny Bond (Guitar), Don Arnone (Guitar), Owen Bradley (Piano), Hillous Butrum (Guitar), Homer "Bill" Callahan (Bass), Frank Carroll (Bass), Floyd Chance (Bass), Ray Edenton (Guitar), Ray Edenton (Vocals), Gregg Geller (Producer), Jerry Kennedy (Guitar), Grover Lavender (Guitar), Kenny Malone (Drums), Richard Morris (Marimba), Richard Morris (Bells), Richard Morris (Vibraphone), Tony Mottola (Guitar), Danny Perri (Guitar), Norbert Putnam (Bass), George Richey (Guitar), Hargus "Pig" Robbins (Piano), Jerry Shook (Guitar), Henry Strzelecki (Bass), Pete Wade (Guitar), Joe Zinkan (Bass), James Farmer (Guitar (Steel)), Jerry Byrd (Bass), Harold Carmack (Piano), Farris Coursey (Drums), Louis Dunn (Drums), Marvin Hughes (Piano), Dale Potter (Fiddle), Jack Pruett (Guitar), Jimmy Rollins (Guitar), Joe Vincent (Guitar (Steel)), Bob Moore (Bass), Slim Harbert (Bass), Tex Atchison (Fiddle), Andrew Ackers (Piano), Louis Innis (Guitar), Jimmy Gossett (Drums), Floyd Lanning (Guitar), Donald Slayman (Fiddle), Joe Knight (Guitar)
