Retrospective presents a comprehensive single CD of the folk singing artistry of Burl Ives (1909-1995), one of the best-loved of all American entertainers. The avuncular, relaxed figure has become an icon both of the folk scene and of the cinema. He was one of the most influential figures of the great post-war folk music revival, alongside such as Alan Lomax, Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger, and did more than anyone else to bring America’s folk song heritage to the people.

The Wayfaring Stranger (his theme song was Poor Wayfaring Stranger) gathers together no fewer than his 32 most popular recordings of the 40s and early 50s. There are many folk tunes he made his own, such as Blue Tail Fly (on which he is joined The Andrews Sisters), Big Rock Candy Mountain, I Know An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Fly, The Foggy, Foggy Dew and Lavender Blue. He also gives fine versions of new songs like Pete Seeger’s On Top Of Old Smoky or Ghost Riders In The Sky.

As a bonus 33rd track, the sequence ends with Burl’s biggest hit, from ten years later, A Little Bitty Tear.

Track list:
1. Blue Tail Fly (with The Andrews Sisters)
2. I’m Goin’ Down The Road (with The Andrews Sisters)
3. Cowboy’s Lament
4. Tam Pierce
5. Sweet Betsy From Pike
6. The Wee Cooper O’ Fife
7. The Riddle Song
8. I Know Where I’m Going
9. I Know My Love
10. Darlin’ Cory
11. The Ballad Of Rodger Young
12. The Foggy, Foggy Dew
13. Big Rock Candy Mountain
14. Old Dan Tucker
15. The Erie Canal
16. The Fox
17. Go Tell Aunt Rhody
18. It Makes No Difference Now
19. I’m Thinking Tonight Of My Blue Eyes
20. Lavender Blue, Dilly, Dilly
21. Billy Boy
22 .Ghost Riders In The Sky
23. Poor Wayfaring Stranger
24. Woolie Boogie Bee
25. Mr. Froggie Went A-Courtin’
26. The Worried Man Blues
27. The Doughnut Song
28. I Know An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Fly
29. One Hour Ahead Of The Posse
30. This Time Tomorrow
31. Noah Found Grace In The Eyes Of The Lord
32. On Top Of Old Smoky
Bonus Track – 10 Years Later, Burl Ives’ Biggest Hit:
33. A Little Bitty Tear