Sad Songs & Waltzes
Those who regard Keith Whitley asthecountry singer of his generation now have further, if not final, proof. WhenJ.D. Crowereleased the exceptional hard-country albumSomewhere Betweenin 1981, Whitley's deep, agile vocals were leading the way. It was Whitley's last studio album with Crowe; he soon departed for country stardom. Eight years later, Whitley was dead from an alcohol overdose. These 15 songs mix five unreleased recordings with newly arranged and recorded versions of theSomewhere Betweenalbum. Only the vocals are preserved. Note for soulful note, the fresh backing seamlessly matches Whitley's vocal art. The previously unheard title track sounds like a spirit visitation fromLefty Frizzell, and the newly unearthed, melancholy "I Don't Know You Well Enough to Say Goodbye" deserves a spot on every honky-tonk jukebox. Even the early demo of "Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind" comes off masterfully. With the exception ofGeorge JonesandGeorge Strait, no country singer alive could do these songs greater justice.--Roy Kasten