According to Mr. Den Dulk, "A few months ago, the project was suggested to Bear Family Records by senior Jim Reeves historian David Bussey." We already suspected that without his even confirming it. (I know Mr. Bussey is a senior citizen but he's no Reeves historian, that's for sure).

It is wholly deceptive to claim that this forthcoming, overpriced CD set is about "honoring" Jim. The fans shouldn't be lied to like that. Because as I've said -- and it's easy enough to prove because there is abundant evidence -- Jim DIDN'T WANT THIS MATERIAL TO BE CIRCULATED ANY FURTHER.

So what possible motive can one deduce other than that this release is more about a couple of guys wanting to try to reclaim the spotlight because they are jealous of all the wonderful new music being released by VoiceMasters/H&H? And they are willing to besmirch Jim's legacy even after lambasting me for supposedly hurting his legacy! That's hypocritical.

Just to be clear: this is not about my trying to shoot the other guys down. Their release has ZERO impact on any of the marketing potential of the new 8 CD "The Great Jim Reeves" set.

People who have followed this Fan Forum for years know that I have long been critical of the proliferation of the Abbott material by a huge number of labels around the world because they just didn't give a damn about the inferior stuff they were releasing on Jim. Up until now, I thought Bear was different.

Arie Den Dulk even claims "This new Jim Reeves release will no doubt be considered by many Jim Reeves fans as the most valuable and interesting 50th anniversary Jim Reeves release." WHY?

In the Abbott set you get FIVE copies of "Then I'll Stop Loving You," FOUR copies of "El Rancho Del Rio," THREE versions of "My Rambling Heart" and so on. Multiple copies of the same songs. These are no doubt with only slight variations in performance.

There are 76 tracks on the forthcoming Abbott release just as there were 76 tracks on the amateurish 3 CDs put out 10 years ago by the fan club. Though the new packaging is probably better. But is it really worth that much money?

Caveat emptor!