This classic Don Williams compilation is a great piece of country music history, especially with that distinct K-tel branding.
Release Date
This album, 20 of My Best (Catalog No. WC 339), was released in 1978. It was specifically compiled for the Canadian market by K-tel International Ltd.
-
K-tel was famous for squeezing 20 songs onto a single LP. To do this, they often mastered the records with narrower grooves and lower volume, or occasionally edited the songs to be slightly shorter. This makes them fun collectibles, though audiophiles sometimes prefer the original studio albums for higher sound quality.
-
"The Gentle Giant": Don Williams earned this nickname because of his towering height (6'1"), smooth bass-baritone voice, and laid-back demeanor. 1978—the year this came out—was right in the middle of his prime; he was named the CMA Male Vocalist of the Year that same year.
-
Canadian Roots: While Don was a Texan, K-tel itself was a Canadian powerhouse founded in Winnipeg by Philip Kives. This specific "WC" prefix on your cover indicates it was a Canadian-specific release.
-
Tracklist Highlights: This album is a "who's who" of his early hits, featuring essentials like "You're My Best Friend," "Amanda," and "Some Broken Hearts Never Mend."