The Essential Charlie Daniels Band contains 16 well-chosen tracks taken from the band’s mid-’70s to late-’80s recordings on Epic. All the basics are here, including the country crossover smash “The Devil Went Down to Georgia.” Luckily for all but the most rabid fan, this set contains the original versions of Daniels’ outlaw/Southern rock hits, including “Wichita Jail,” “Boogie Woogie Fiddle Country Blues,” “Texas,” “Drinkin’ My Baby Goodbye,” “Long Haired Country Boy,” and “Uneasy Rider.” When Daniels went through a reformation of his religious beliefs, he re-recorded several songs from his back catalog to reflect his religious convictions and omitted references to marijuana or alcohol use. – Al Campbell